Engine needs tuning
Offense will have to improve efficiency against Spartans
By JEFF POTRYKUS
jpotrykus@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Sept. 28, 2007
Madison - Few football coaches are more placid than University of Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst.
However, Chryst can turn grumpy if the UW offense fails to capitalize on legitimate scoring chances, which has been an issue in two of the Badgers' last three games.
"That is one thing we need to get better at," he said.
And he can turn surly if his unit turns the ball over, as quarterback Tyler Donovan did twice last week against Iowa, with a fumble on a sack and an interception.
"A sack is bad," Chryst said. "A sack-fumble is terrible. . . . And he is the first to recognize that."
Chryst recognizes the offense must improve its level of proficiency, beginning at 2:30 p.m. today when UW (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten Conference) meets visiting Michigan State (4-0, 0-0).
"We've talked a lot about that with the guys," Chryst said. "You've got to let the game come to you. You can't force stuff. But when it comes you've got to be ready for that opportunity to jump all over it."
UW enters today only seventh in the Big Ten in scoring, but with a healthy average of 31.0 points per game. However, 87 of UW's 124 points came against Washington State (93rd nationally in scoring defense) and The Citadel, a Championship Subdivision program (formerly Division I-AA).
In narrow victories over Nevada-Las Vegas and Iowa, UW scored on 7 of 23 drives, with four touchdowns and three field goals.
On the first field-goal drive at UNLV, poor clock management cost UW a chance at a touchdown. On the second, the offense moved just 6 yards in four plays after a turnover.
Donovan's sack and lost fumble on UW's first possession against Iowa cost the Badgers at least a field goal and turned the field position in the favor of the Hawkeyes. His subsequent interception at the UW 26 set up an Iowa field goal.
Opponents may find it easier to defend UW than they did last season unless certain areas aren't buttressed.
Hubbard's loss hurts: Senior wide receiver Paul Hubbard's knee injury, suffered in Week 2, has left the Badgers minus a proven big-play threat.
Freshman Kyle Jefferson (five catches, 60 yards) has started for Hubbard. With the speed to get deep, he had three catches for 40 yards against Iowa.
UW coach Bret Bielema lauded his play against the Hawkeyes, but replacing a senior with a freshman rarely is a seamless process.
"We don't have a player of his quality at that position," Bielema said, referring to Hubbard.
Chryst has compensated with a package featuring three tight ends - Travis Beckum, Garrett Graham and Mickey Turner - and that has shown promise.
However, with Hubbard out, Iowa was able to focus on slowing wide receiver Luke Swan, who killed the Hawkeyes in Iowa City last season. Swan was held in check against Iowa last week as he finished with three catches for 62 yards.
Head on a swivel: Donovan, now 6-0 as a starter, has shown toughness, guts and the ability to make critical plays with his feet. In addition, he has completed 60.2% of his passes with seven touchdowns and just one interception.
Nevertheless, Donovan is prone to focusing too long on one receiver, usually Swan. The interception against Iowa was a tremendous play by linebacker A.J. Edds, but it was made possible because Edds noticed Donovan stare down Swan.
Tailback P.J. Hill has six catches for 48 yards. That includes an 11-yard touchdown catch against The Citadel. He runs well after the catch and is a viable option if the downfield routes are covered. He needs to be utilized more frequently in that role.
Bend it to Beckum: With 20 catches in four games, Beckum, a junior, is on pace for 60 catches. He had 61 in 13 games last season. His per-catch average of 9.6 yards is down more than 5 yards from last season (14.8 ypc), though.
Bielema noted that Beckum remains more of a pass-catching threat than an all-around tight end.
Although that observation is accurate, Beckum was a one-dimensional player last year when he put up bigger numbers.
UW, for the most part, will face very good defenses the rest of the season. The offense must grow and Donovan knows he must be the catalyst.
"I've just got to keep progressing, keep the offense together and keep bringing in the wins," Donovan said.
