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BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
MADISON, Wis. -- Redshirt freshman inside linebacker T.J. Edwards knew he was going to get chewed out as soon as he got to the Wisconsin sideline.
On a critical third-down play in the third quarter Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium, Edwards was out of alignment when Purdue quarterback David Blough dropped back and dumped off a quick pass to wide receiver DeAngelo Yancey in the left flat.
Yancey had multiple blockers in front of him on the third-and-9 play from his own 6. For a moment it appeared the Boilermakers would pick up a first down, tilt the field-position scale into a more favorable reading and generate some momentum in what was an unexpectedly taut Big Ten Conference affair.
But in a microcosm of his career-best performance – 16 tackles, 1.5 for losses and a forced fumble – Edwards found a way to make a play, one that helped the Badgers locate their bearings and manufacture a 24-7 victory.
"I knew I was going to get an earful when I came off, so I knew I had to do something for sure," he said.
Edwards was supposed to be in man coverage and Yancey was his responsibility. But just as Yancey was shifting gears and turning up field, Edwards caught him from behind after a 3-yard gain and Purdue ultimately punted from its own end zone.
Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Aranda said both inside linebackers – Edwards and true freshman Chris Orr – were out of position on what turned out to be one of the biggest sequences of the game.
"We were not aligned correctly on that particular play, but it was good to see (Edwards) make up for it," Aranda said.
The Badgers took over at the Purdue 33 and their offense – clunky and maddeningly self-destructive up to that point – suddenly found some life. Senior quarterback Joel Stave completed all three of his passes for 30 yards – including a 19-yarder to senior wide receiver Alex Erickson that put the ball at the 4 – and junior tailback Dare Ogunbowale took it in from there on the second-to-last play of the third.
Wisconsin tacked on a fourth-quarter touchdown, a 1-yard run by true freshman tailback Alec Ingold, and stayed in the thick of the Big Ten West Division title chase with its second consecutive win and 10th straight over Purdue dating back to 2004.
Even though the Boilermakers came into the game ranked in the bottom half of the Big Ten in terms of offense and were 1-5 overall, Aranda felt they represented a stiff challenge, comparing them to the triple-option schemes at Army and Navy.
"Three things going three different ways," he said.
The Badgers limited Purdue to 191 yards overall, their best showing since allowing 180 to Nebraska last season.
The Boilermakers managed just three plays longer than 10 yards and averaged 3.5 yards per play from scrimmage in falling to 0-3 in the Big Ten.
"It was our toughest game going in, so I was proud of the way we performed," Aranda said.
The inside linebackers, Edwards and Orr, were especially noticeable. Orr added seven tackles and a share of his first college sack.
"Without seeing the tape, I thought the inside linebackers, especially, played their best game, their most complete game, especially with all the traffic in the backfield that Purdue presented," Aranda said.
Aranda believes Edwards, listed at 6-foot-1 and 238 pounds, has great potential and this outing showcased a lot of it.
"He saw what he needed to see," Aranda said. "Three things going three different ways. It helped T.J. to put his eyes in the right spot. It allowed him to have some confidence and his play-making ability took over.
"T.J.'s always had the ability to make plays and I think the more confident he gets the more plays he's going to make."
In addition to that recovery Edwards made in pass coverage, he also short-circuited a Purdue drive in the fourth quarter when he stripped the ball from fullback Markell Jones after a 20-yard reception and run. Safety Tanner McEvoy recovered.
Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst was asked if this was Edwards' best day. This is the same Edwards who debuted with 12 tackles vs. Alabama in the season opener on Sept. 5.
"It sure seemed like it," Chryst said. "He was flying around."
"It was good to put it out there and finally turn it loose," Edwards said.
As well as he played, Edwards knows there will be some harsh moments Sunday when video of the game is reviewed.
"I know what I'm supposed to do most of the time," he said. "The thing is just getting my eyes in the right spot. I think I'm starting to get there."
Edwards said the play where he recovered to chase down Yancey from behind was atonement.
"It was man, so that's my guy and I've got to go with him," he said. "I just found a way to be in the right spot today."
As long as the Wisconsin offense continues to labor – junior tailback Corey Clement and junior center Dan Voltz could return next week – the defense will prop things up.
"They like being in pressure situations and knowing that this play really counts," Aranda said.
"I know at the end of the day the offense is going to get their job done," Edwards said. "It's our job to make sure there's no points on the other teams' board."
