Notes: Injuries stack up in win

IOWA CITY - Anytime the Wisconsin football team travels its allowed to bring 70 players along for the trip. During Saturday's 31-30 win, it seemed like most of those 70 players contributed to the win.

With a multitude of injury, there's no question the bye week is arriving at the perfect time.

"Oh man," UW senior linebacker Blake Sorensen said. "I think everyone needs it mentally and physically. It's coming at a good time."

The list of injured players is extensive.

-Nick Toon, who warmed up with the team, did not play in the win. After suffering a severe bruise late in the win over Ohio State a week ago, Toon just wasn't at a level of health deemed worthy of playing.

"Nobody wanted to play in this game more than Nick Toon," UW head coach Bret Bielema said. "He's a kid that has really grown up. He practiced a little bit on Thursday and a little bit more yesterday, but we really felt for this game that if he wasn't 100 percent on…it wasn't something where he needed to be out there.

"Obviously the plan worked."

Toon should be back for UW's game at Purdue in two weeks.

-Jordan Kohout, who didn't practice much during the course of the week, did not play in Saturday's game. He, like Toon, should be recovered from his ankle injury in time for the game at Purdue.

-Lance Kendricks, who suffered an ankle injury early in Saturday's game, did not return to action. According to Bielema, the injury didn't seem to be too significant.

"I think Lance's injury isn't that serious," Bielema said. "It was an ankle injury."

-James White, who suffered a knee injury early on, may have suffered a bruised MCL. Following the game, the freshman didn't seem too concerned with the injury.

"I'm feeling alright," White said. "I got hit in my left knee and I went in the air a little bit. I don't know what happened. Somebody just twisted it around. It's not too bad right now. They said it's something like a bruised MCL. I just need to get through rehab this week and just get ready for Purdue."

-Peter Konz, who apparently suffered an ankle injury during the Ohio State game, played the first half against Iowa before being removed in favor of Bill Nagy in the second half. He, like the others already mentioned, should be good for Purdue.

"He had a moderate amount of practice during the week and felt good enough to go today," Bielema said. "I walked in at halftime and asked how he was doing. He didn't exactly give me the best look in the eye. I went in to coach Bob Bostad and he went in and made the switch.

"He pulled Bill Nagy out of tight end, put him in at center and he didn't miss a beat."

-John Clay suffered a sprained wrist when he was hit on the sideline in the third quarter of Saturday's game. He returned to the game later and should be fine moving forward.

-Freshman defensive tackle Beau Allen suffered an injury early in Saturday's win, but after X-Rays returned back negative, he was able to return to action.

Team notes:

-With the win, Wisconsin evened the all-time series with Iowa at 42-42-2.

-UW has 18 scoring drives of at least 70 yards this season and 13 of at least 10 plays. Against Iowa, UW had four more drives that fit into that rubric.

-UW converted all three of its fourth down attempts. Prior to the game, the Badgers had only converted 1-of-3 fourth downs on the season.

-UW is 6-0 when winning the time of possession battle this season.

Player notes:

-Ethan Hemer logged his first career start, filling in for Kohout. Hemer had six tackles in the game.

-J.J. Watt blocked an extra point that wound up being the difference in the game. It was the third blocked kick of his career (tied for third in school history) and second of the season. Watt also has 13.5 tackles for loss and five sacks on the season.

-Jake Byrne had his first career catch with a 9-yard reception in the second quarter.

-10 players recorded a catch in Saturday's win.

Quote of the day:

-Montee Ball on his role in Saturday's win.

"I'm fully committed to this team no matter where I'm put or where I'm put on the depth chart. I'm here to stay and here to keep fighting with the team. We sweat and we bleed together so I'm not going to let my team down."