Wisconsin Football: 3 Takeaways from the Badgers’ win over Maryland
By Shawn Ekwall
3. Jonathan Taylor continues to put up impressive numbers
Taylor sure isn’t playing like a freshman. He continues to flourish behind an impressive Badgers’ offensive line. Saturday he tallied 126 yards and a touchdown. It marked the 5th time in seven games, Taylor has went over the 100-yard mark in a Badgers’ win. He now has 1,112 yards on the season.
Related Story: Taylor becomes 6th true freshman to rush for 1,000 yards in 7 games
Taylor’s ability to run between the tackles and move the sticks is a big reason Wisconsin sits at 7-0. Not only does he have breakaway speed, Taylor can get yards after contact, keeping drives alive and leaving the opponents’ offense stationed on the sideline.
Quarterback Alex Hornibrook has been a beneficiary of Taylor’s success. Defenses have to gear up stopping the run, which gives Hornibrook opportunities to attack single coverage and use play-action to his advantage. The Wisconsin offense has superb balance right now, and is clicking at a high level.
Taylor’s longest run of the day was just 15 yards, but his 5.7 yards per carry is effective and wearing defenses down. Expect Wisconsin to continue to feed Taylor the ball, and look for his numbers to continue to climb.