Wisconsin Badgers Football: Grading All 22 Starters from the UTEP Game

The sleeping giant that was the Wisconsin Badgers offense from a season ago woke up on Saturday, as the Badgers defeated the UTEP Minters 37-26 in Madison.

Perhaps it was a result of switching quarterbacks. Perhaps it was the return of No. 1 receiver Jared Abbrederis to the lineup. Whatever it was, it was about time Wisconsin put up a crooked number.

Most of the second half spelled trouble for the Badgers as they allowed UTEP to crawl back into the game. Montee Ball was knocked out with a head injury, and the defense conceded some big plays, but Wisconsin reeled off 14 points in 15 seconds of play to put the game away late.

Let the arguments commence as we grade all 22 Badger starters after their victory over the Miners.

Quarterback: Joel Stave

The freshman came on in place of Danny O'Brien last week to help lead the Badgers to a comeback victory, and he was given the opportunity to start on Saturday against UTEP.

It was a bit of an up-and-down performance for the former walk-on, but aside from a mix-up handing the ball off, being sacked three times in the first half and a few instances where he stared down his receivers, Stave performed admirably. He didn't panic when Montee Ball went out with an injury and turned to Jared Abbrederis multiple times when he needed a completion.

In the end, Sunshine completed 12-of-17 passes for 210 yards while throwing for a score and an interception. The 6'5", 219-pounder certainly looked the part under center and appears to have earned the starting job for the time being. And if the football thing doesn't work out, he has a music career to fall back on.

Grade: B-

Running Back: Montee Ball

The Badgers' star running back lasted just over a quarter before he was knocked out of the game with a head injury. Ball took a hard shot to the head as he crossed the goal line to put the Badgers in the lead for good, and team doctors took his helmet away.

He also lost the first fumble of his career in the first quarter and was subsequently replaced by James White on the next possession.

Ball ended up with nine carries for 40 yards and a score. With Ball out, it was a chance for White and Melvin Gordon to shine, and shine they did. 

Gordon broke off some explosive runs, including a 26-yard touchdown scamper in the fourth that put the final nail in the coffin. The freshman tallied 112 yards on just eight carries, while White carried the ball 15 times for 65 yards and two touchdowns.

It seemed as though Ball was getting way too much of the workload early in the season. To see Gordon and White excel in some rare extended playing time was refreshing, and it should give offensive coordinator Matt Canada some confidence moving forward in spreading out the carries.

Will Ball be okay for Nebraska? He seemed to be in good spirits after the game (via Ball's Twitter).

Grade: Incomplete

Wide Receiver: Jared Abbrederis, Jordan Fredrick

Abbrederis

If it wasn't for Jared Abbrederis, we might be looking at a 1-3 Badger team instead of a 3-1 team heading into conference play. Abbrederis is so vital to the Wisconsin offense, and his return was extremely beneficial to Saturday's win and freshman quarterback Joel Stave's performance.

On a few different instances, Abbrederis broke open and Stave found him, first on a 60-yard catch-and-run early in the second quarter to set up a James White touchdown and then later in the first half on a 47-yard touchdown catch in which Abbrederis' defender fell down.

The junior standout finished with six receptions for 147 yards and a score. Boy, is Wisconsin happy to have him back.

Grade: A+

Fredrick

For the third straight game, the freshman receiver only caught one pass and didn't do much to relieve Abbrederis. It could have been because Stave only felt comfortable throwing to Abbrederis, but if the Badgers' passing attack is going to be effective moving forward, someone else must step up.

Grade: D

Tight End: Jacob Pedersen, Brian Wozniak

Pedersen

For a school that has produced NFL tight end after NFL tight end, it's a bit of a surprise to see Pedersen so quiet in the Badger offense this season. The junior only reeled in two catches for 26 yards.

Entering the season, Pedersen was expected to be the second-biggest passing threat behind Abbrederis. Unfortunately, even with just two receptions against UTEP, he was just that. Granted, there were only 12 completions to go around, but the Badgers need Pedersen to be a bigger threat in the passing game.

Grade: C-

Wozniak

Wozniak is more of a blocking specialist and still trying to find his niche replacing the departed Jake Byrne.

The blocking up front took another step forward against UTEP based on the rushing total Wisconsin put up (213 yards), and Wozniak has to take some credit for that. He also caught a pass for four yards.

Grade: C+

Offensive Line

The change at right guard appeared to make a difference, as Kyle Costigan started in place of Zac Matthias. The Badgers topped 200 yards rushing for the first time this season against a weak UTEP rush defense.

While Joel Stave was sacked three times in the first half, center Travis Frederick took the blame for one of them for setting the wrong protection. It may have been the play where left tackle Rick Wagner failed to pick up a blitzing Horace Miller. But in the second half, the freshman QB stayed upright and Stave had sufficient time to throw the football throughout the game.

The biggest challenge still seems to be short-yardage situations for this unit, especially on third down. That is something to keep an eye on against Nebraska in the Badgers' Big Ten opener.

Grade: C+ 

Defensive End: Tyler Dippel, David Gilbert

Dippel

The Badgers were banged up at defensive end before the start of the UTEP game, and they were even more banged up after the final whistle.

Tyler Dippel started in place of Brendan Kelly (hamstring), but he had to exit toward the end of Saturday's game after getting leg-whipped. Prior to the injury, Dippel performed well in the first start of his career, recording a sack.

He was also instrumental in shutting down the Miners' running game. UTEP only managed 77 rushing yards all day. According to defensive line coach Charlie Partridge (H/T Jeff Potrykus), Dippel should be good to go against Nebraska.

Grade: A-

Gilbert

Joining the ranks of Kelly, Dippel and Pat Muldoon (fractured hand), you can add David Gilbert to the list of injured defensive ends on Wisconsin. Gilbert nicked up his left shoulder early in the game and then came out for good with a toe sprain in the second half.

Despite getting banged up, Gilbert nearly pulled off a miraculous interception and was also a key part in the Miners' unsuccessful running attack. And just as with Dippel and Kelly (H/T Evan Flood), Gilbert should be set to play next Saturday.

Grade: B+

Defensive Tackle: Beau Allen, Ethan Hemer

Allen

Unlike at defensive end, the Badgers have managed to stay healthy at defensive tackle. Beau Allen has been a model for consistency in the middle of the Wisconsin defense.

Allen recorded a sack of quarterback Nick Lamaison in the fourth quarter and helped force the running game outside by plugging the middle of the line and getting after the UTEP offense. It was also his first game with multiple tackles for a loss.

Grade: A

Hemer

You didn't hear much of Hemer's name on Saturday, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Just like Allen, he helped stuff the middle of the line and gave others an opportunity to make a play. The longer Allen and Hemer stay healthy and on the field together, the better this Badgers' front is going to get.

Grade: B

Linebacker: Chris Borland, Mike Taylor, Ethan Armstrong

Borland

I think it's safe to say that Chris Borland had the best day out of any Badger defender, and perhaps the best game of his career. Borland had his 10th career double-digit tackle game, tied a career high in tackles for a loss, broke up two passes and recorded a career-high two sacks.

He was a tenacious force all day long for Wisconsin, pressuring the quarterback and constantly tracking the football while wrapping up on every tackle. Borland did have a bonehead personal foul, but also had a heads-up play when he punched the ball out of bounds on an onside kick.

Grade: A

Taylor

Borland played at a world-class level against UTEP, but Taylor was excellent as well. He looked much better in coverage and successfully covered the wheel route, a play Taylor has been burned on previously this season.

No, he didn't put up the same numbers as Borland, but those two together have been the undisputed leaders of the Badger defense. That didn't change on Saturday.

Grade: B+

Armstrong

There is an obvious drop off from Borland and Taylor to Armstrong, but not as big as some perceive. The former walk-on made his fair share of plays on defense and was flying all over the field.

What Armstrong lacks in skill, he makes up with hustle, and he teamed up with Gilbert in a hustle play when running down quarterback Nick Lamaison on one occasion. 

Grade: B

Cornerback: Devin Smith, Marcus Cromartie

Smith

It was a rough start for Devin Smith, as the Badgers No. 1 corner got burned on a 39-yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter. However, he followed that up with 90-yard return off the ensuing blocked extra point, so he gets some brownie points for that.

Big plays like that can't happen, especially from someone of Smith's caliber. He did recover to have a decent game, but he was part of a secondary that gave up two lengthy plays resulting in touchdowns.

Grade: C

Cromartie

Unlike Smith, Cromartie was not the victim of a big play and did a fairly good job in coverage. Cromartie got off to a rough start this season against Northern Iowa, but you can see a progression in the senior's performance and hopefully that trend can continue into Big Ten play.

Grade: B

Safety: Dezmen Southward, Michael Trotter

Southward

Dezmen Southward has come a long way since his early days as a Badger and just like Cromartie, he was not involved in one of the two "big plays" Wisconsin allowed in the passing game.

With Shelton Johnson out for another month or so, it'll be up to Southward to keep the ship afloat at safety. He put together an above-average effort against the Miners.

Grade: B

Trotter

The man replacing Johnson, Michael Trotter aggressively went after securing the Badgers' first forced turnover of the season. He came up short, and the result was a 62-yard touchdown for UTEP.

Thankfully, the game was already in hand, but in a situation like that, you'd like to see Trotter take more of a conservative approach, and he will learn from this experience. Other than that, Trotter looked alright in place of Johnson against the Miners, but could this secondary produce a turnover one of these days?

Grade: C