Wisconsin Football: 5 Badgers earn helmet stickers in Week 6

Transfer cornerback Nick Nelson did not have the flashiest stat book or big time play in the Badgers’ win in Lincoln, but his presence on the defensive side of the ball saved the Badgers in many situations.

Nelson finished with just four tackles and seven punt return yards, nothing too overly special or overwhelming. He had just three pass deflections, but his coverage the entire game was something the final stats could not do justice.

A few of the instances in the stat book that he did provide came in huge situations. For instance, after getting spun around on a passing route, Nelson showed quickness and closing speed in order to knock away the pass at the last second- limiting the big gain. He also had a few instances where his open field tackles helped save big Huskers plays.

While the Nebraska receivers were putting up big numbers in the first half, the secondary was not to blame as the front seven was unable to get pressure on Lee, causing him to roll out and extend plays which then led to big plays. In the second half, Nelson’s pressing coverage was a huge difference as the Badgers started to get more pressure on Lee in the backfield.

There is no telling sign that Nelson had a big game for the Badgers, but without him Wisconsin would not have won they way they did and we could be talking about a whole different story.