The Wisconsin Badgers overcame a rough first half to beat the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 42-10 on Saturday, scoring 28 unanswered points in the second half.
Here are the defensive snap counts from the Week 2 win over Middle Tennessee.
Defensive Line
Ben Barten – Snap Count: [24]
Jay’Viar Suggs – Snap Count: [23]
Brandon Lane – Snap Count: [19]
Parker Petersen – Snap Count: [14]
Nolan Vils – Snap Count: [14]
Dillan Johnson
– Snap Count: [11]
Jamel Howard – Snap Count: [4]
Outside Linebackers
Mason Reiger – Snap Count: [41]
Sebastian Cheeks – Snap Count: [38]
Darryl Peterson – Snap Count: [27]
Micheal Garner – Snap Count: [11]
Tyreese Fearbry – Snap Count: [9]
Nicolas Clayton – Snap Count: [9]
Aaron Witt – Snap Count: [6]
Linebackers
Tackett Curtis – Snap Count: [49]
Christian Alliegro – Snap Count: [45]
Mason Posa – Snap Count: [9]
Cooper Catalano – Snap Count: [8]
Thomas Heiberger – Snap Count: [7]
Garrison Solliday – Snap Count: [4]
Cornerbacks
Ricardo Hallman – Snap Count: [52]
Geimere Latimer – Snap Count: [46]
Omillio Agard – Snap Count: [35]
D’Yoni Hill – Snap Count: [26]
Cairo Skanes – Snap Count: [9]
Owen Arnett – Snap Count: [7]
Safeties
Preston Zachman – Snap Count: [42]
Austin Brown – Snap Count: [40]
Matt Jung – Snap Count: [19]
Matthew Traynor – Snap Count: [12]
Grant Dean – Snap Count: [9]
Raphael Dunn – Snap Count: [9]
Personal Thoughts
The Badgers were able to get their underclassmen backups more reps in this game because of the blowout, so you’ll see quite a few freshmen getting snaps. With how the transfer portal is nowadays, there isn’t much thought anymore into preserving redshirts, so freshmen will continue to play all year long.
Along the defensive line, it was the same top trio of Ben Barten, Jay’Viar Suggs, and Brandon Lane. Nolan Vils, Dillan Johnson, and Jamel Howard got some snaps with the blowout, with Johnson serving as the main backup lineman behind the top three.
Wisconsin also used more outside linebackers in this game, so there weren’t as many snaps for the defensive linemen. As a result, Charles Perkins didn’t get any snaps in this one.
At outside linebacker, Mason Reiger and Sebastian Cheeks saw their snap counts increase. But, that didn’t change anything for Darryl Peterson, who continues to play a hybrid role up front. Micheal Garner and Tyreese Fearbry got some snaps in reserve.
Linebacker is where you’ll see the starters get a lion’s share of the reps. But, Cooper Catalano saw defensive snaps for the second consecutive week, and Mason Posa wreaked havoc in his defensive debut. He moves really well for his size, seems instinctual enough, and can get after the quarterback.
At cornerback, it was still Ricardo Hallman on his own and Geimere Latimer in the slot, while D’Yoni Hill and Omillio Agard split reps on the other side. This group was a little shakier, giving up a couple of 1-on-1 plays deep down the sideline.
At safety, it was also the starters getting a majority of the snaps, with the reserves and freshmen getting some opportunities as well. Jung was rotating in here and there early in the game, so he might play his way into some early snaps to spell the starting duo.
