The Wisconsin Badgers are set to face the Iowa Hawkeyes this week, with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.
Wisconsin is likely trending towards starting quarterback Hunter Simmons, who met with the media on Tuesday ahead of the game. Here’s what he had to say about the Hawkeyes.
On what has stood out Iowa’s defense, fronts…
“Yeah, they’re good, they’re solid. They’re going to do what they’re going to do, and they are going to play hard. But, that could be an advantage for
us, because we know what they are going to be in. They come out, and they are going to show us, and they’re just going to play hard, and we just go out there and compete.”
Second thoughts on Michigan game after watching tape…
“I felt fine. Obviously, there’s always going to be some plays you want back some plays. You think you could have done things differently, but overall, I think it’s not bad. Just some stuff to build on there.”
On being more aggressive/passing more on first downs…
“I wouldn’t say that necessarily. I think we’re just going to go out there, we’re going to put our plan together, we’re going to stick to it, and we just got to go out there and compete. Regardless if that’s a run or a pass, I know we’re good enough to do either one.”
On if there’s an eagerness from the team to play Iowa…
“Yeah, I would say excitement almost, being around all the guys and the guys that were here last year, hearing their stories. That was one of the big things we did in camp was some of the older guys that had been here got up and told their story, and it’s one of the recurring themes that came up is the rivalry games. Iowa, this is a big one, like this means a lot to a lot of people. So a lot of excitement around the game.”
On if he imagined having this chance at Wisconsin…
“Yeah, I mean, we just come in and compete, and it’s one of those things in football is like you never know what’s going to happen. It’s always going to be the next man up. So just came in and competed, and here I am now.
On Iowa blitzing more the last few weeks…
“Yeah, you know, like they’re bringing a little more pressure. But through film study, I think we’ll be able to recognize that, and I think we’ll be able to pick that up with some different calls we got.”
On how tough it is to simulate Iowa’s post-snap defense…
“Yeah, our exchange team does a great job, though. I mean, they’re in meetings for that, and they come out and do a great job. But obviously, you’ll never get the same exact look that you get in the game. But, a lot of that is through film study. You’re just in there studying what they do, and you get a good idea, good sense of what they’re going to be in.”
On locker room feeling after losses, needing big win…
“Yeah, I would just say it’s like one of the things we keep going back to, just go out there and compete. Excited to get out there and compete. Another opportunity every weekend.”
On if anything needs to change…
“Yeah, we’re just going to go out there and compete, you know, get it done.”
On if it’s a typical week or if there’s extra excitement vs. Iowa…
“A lot of extra energy, intensity, and it’s always a rivalry game at the end of the day. You’ll remember rivalry games for a long time, so there’s always a little extra sense of intensity around those kinds of games.”
On Tucker Ashcraft’s return, impact…
“Yeah, huge. Tuck’s a great player and great teammate, too. Great leader. And he’s on that field. You can feel him. You can feel his presence. And him just being out there kind of lifts up some of the other guys.”
On big rivals for Southern Illinois during career there…
“I would say Southeast Missouri State. They were a big one there.”
