Head Coach Luke Fickell Speaks Out On Wisconsin Badgers' Victory Against Illinois
Oct 21, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Braedyn Locke (18) hands the ball to running back Braelon Allen (0) against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
© Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Coach Fickell's Insights: Resilience and Determination
In a post-game media conference following the Wisconsin Badgers' intense victory against Illinois, Head Coach Luke Fickell addressed the press with honesty and enthusiasm. Fickell's insights shed light on the team's exceptional display of resilience and determination.
Overcoming Doubts
Fickell began by acknowledging the doubts that had surrounded the team, including himself. He stated, "I'm sure you all had your doubts, ... not unlike a lot of us." However, he emphasized a significant transformation, noting, "This is the first time in 10 months that I've seen that out of our guys and, probably what makes me happiest. And it's not just finding a way to win. It's the resiliency. It's ... the fight, the grit." Fickell's joy stemmed not just from the team's ability to secure a win but also from the resiliency, fight, and grit displayed on the field.
Rising to the Challenge
The game presented a challenge for the Badgers, with the team trailing 21-7 and a young quarterback, Braedyn Locke, at the helm. Despite these obstacles, Fickell lauded the team's response. He highlighted the remarkable performance of the offensive line and the exceptional contributions of Braelon Allen. Fickell stated, "There's a lot of guys that really ... stepped up, and the offensive line, I think in particular, did an unbelievable job. ... Braelon Allen did an unbelievable job and happened to foot a load."
Praising Poise: Braedyn Locke's Remarkable Performance
When questioned about Locke's performance, Fickell did not hold back his praise. He commended Locke's exceptional poise, especially considering the challenging circumstances. Fickell remarked, "I don't know what else I could say about Braedyn Locke. Guy's got incredible poise, ... for a young guy that went out there today and put in a really, really tough situation ... he performed really well."
Oct 21, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen (0) celebrates with teammate Hayden Rucci (87) after scoring a touchdown against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
© Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Coaching Young Talent: Fickell's Approach
Fickell also discussed his approach to coaching a young quarterback like Locke. "In some ways, I kind of backed away and let him just kind of go about his business, but I said a few minutes ago, last week was a rough one, especially for him, ... he comes in there in a really tough situation, but he did show me something last week, meaning that like as tough as it was, he didn't look overwhelmed. He didn't look like he was rattled. he had a poise and patience, maybe a little bit too much, and didn't throw the ball away."
Fickell concluded by expressing his belief in Locke's internal confidence and poise, stating, "I really believe that he's got an internal confidence, he's got some poise to him. And I ... really think that last week, helped him in a lot of ways and ... he's going to continue to grow and he did a phenomenal job today." He attributed Locke's growth to the challenging experiences of the previous week and remained optimistic about Locke's future development.
Final Thoughts
Coach Luke Fickell's post-game reflections shed light on the Wisconsin Badgers' remarkable display of resilience and determination in their recent victory. Despite facing significant challenges, the team's grit and poise under pressure left a lasting impression. Braedyn Locke's performance earned him well-deserved praise from Fickell, who sees great potential for growth in the young quarterback.
Watch the entire press conference below-
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