Nebraska Braces for Badgers’ Ground Assault

Another ‘trench game’ for defense; no decision yet on Husker QB Thompson’s availability

Author:
Joe Hudson
Publish date:
Nov 16, 2022 1:49 PM EST

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Another week, another "trench game" for the Nebraska defense.

For the fourth week in a row, the Huskers are facing an offense geared toward opening holes for a 1,000-yard rusher. This time, it's Wisconsin and Braelon Allen.

"The workload has been real, and it doesn't change this week even with the gauntlet we've kind of had with Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan," defensive coordinator Bill Busch said after Wednesday's Nebraska football practice. "They've had a lot of trench games, and this game will be the exact same way."

The Badgers "preach toughness, physicality and the ability to run the ball," Busch said. "We've got our hands full, but we've been preparing extremely well, so we are excited to go on Saturday."

Offensive coordinator Mark Whipple said he will call the last two games from the coaches' booth after suffering a sprained MCL on an accidental sideline hit during the Michigan game.

Whipple said he was encouraged by the progress of injured quarterback Casey Thompson but wasn't ready to declare him available against Wisconsin. He confirmed that Logan Smothers and walk-on Jarrett Synek were now the No. 2 and No. 3 quarterbacks after Chubba Purdy's season-ending injury in Ann Arbor.

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