Bielema discusses injuries, bye week
MADISON - Other than the news of Josh Oglesby having to miss the rest of the season with a knee ailment, it seems the Wisconsin football team avoided any serious injuries following a rough and tumble rendezvous with Iowa last weekend.
Oglesby, who hasn't started since the San Jose State game in week two, will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery that could take three or four months to recover from.
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"He's a great kid and he wears his heart on his sleeve," head coach Bret Bielema said. "When he got removed because of injury, he was kind of feeling good and practice but I could tell he wasn't 100 percent. He didn't have the same things."
Oglesby apparently suffered the injury the Tuesday before the Ohio State game.
"His knee just swelled up like crazy," Bielema said. "We knew something was wrong. They went in and it's a pretty significant knee injury that is going to take a 3-4 month healing process. It's not easy for him. I want him to have success.
"My bet is if everything goes alright with this surgery Josh is going to come back and have one special senior year. I really believe he's going to be destined to do that."
Other injury updates:
Of all the injuries suffered before or during the Iowa game, it seems James White and Lance Kendricks were in need of the bye week more than anybody else.
White, who suffered a sprained MCL early in the game, will go through rehab this week with hopes of playing at Purdue next week.
"James White was negative," Bielema said. "He's got a knee sprain that should get a lot better in a hurry, but if we were to play a game this week he wouldn't play. The same thing with Lance Kendricks."
Kendricks suffered an ankle sprain early in the win at Iowa and did not return to the game.
Peter Konz, who played throughout the first half of Saturday's win, was sidelined for the second half as his ankle flared up on him. At this juncture it seems as though the sophomore will be set to play at Purdue.
"He'll probably get some work this week," Bielema said.
Bielema also expects Nick Toon to be back "full go" after missing the Iowa game with a severely bruised leg.
Defensively, Jordan Kohout is expected back for the Purdue game.
"He'll probably have limited reps this week," Bielema said. "But he should be full go next week and move forward."
Overall, it seems as though the Badgers will come out of the bye week healthier than they have been all season.
Game MVP's:
Looking back at the Iowa game now that it's a few days behind, it's obvious to say that the Badgers would have never won that game without the play of Scott Tolzien and Montee Ball.
Tolzien finished a very efficient 20-of-26, but more than his numbers indicate, the senior quarterback made key plays when he absolutely had to. The same can be said about Ball. If he wasn't catching a critical fourth down pass late in the game to move the sticks, or rushing for the game-winning touchdown, Ball was picking up blitzes and doing all the little things to help his team win.
It should come as no surprise that those two players were awarded offensive team MVP's.
Defensively, Ethan Hemer, following his six-tackle day, shared the distinction with J.J. Watt.
"Hemer played really, really, really well," Bielema said. "I was just informed that J.J. was named the Lott Player of the Week for the second week in a row. So he's getting some nice recognition and it's very well deserved."
Special Teams Player of the Week went to Brad Nortman.
Offensive scout: Rob Havenstein
Defensive scout: Marcus Trotter
Position change?
If you noticed late in the game at Iowa, both David Gilbert and Kevin Claxton took in some reps at defensive tackle. Don't expect any sort of permanent move for either one of those players.
"David Gilbert is the lead guy at that position," Bielema said. "David got a little banged up on that play so he pulled himself out and Claxton was the only one that could pop in there at that time.
"We were just really, really thin at that position right there."
Odds and Ends:
-As mentioned earlier, Watt was named the Lott Impact Player of the Week for the second week in a row.
-The Badgers moved up to No. 9 in each major poll. UW also ranks No. 10 in the B.C.S. Poll.
-Several of UW's coaches are already on the recruiting trail this week. Bielema said he's going to be headed out later this week. One would have to assume the Dwyer Three will be on the itinerary.
The following is the audio file from Bielema's presser:
The video below features highlights from Bielema's presser.