Big night brings Big Ten honors for Connelly
October 31, 2016 | Football
Wisconsin linebacker named Big Ten co-Defensive Player of the Week
MADISON, Wis. – Stepping into the starting lineup for an injured teammate, Ryan Connelly made sure the Wisconsin defense didn't skip a beat last Saturday.
The sophomore replaced teammate Jack Cichy at inside linebacker and played an integral role in the Badgers' 23-17 overtime win over No. 7 Nebraska at Camp Randall Stadium.
For his efforts, Connelly was named Big Ten co-Defensive Player of the Week on Monday. The Eden Prairie, Minnesota, native logged a career-high 11 tackles – matching teammate Leon Jacobs for the game high – and finished with 2.0 tackles for loss and a pair of pass breakups.Â
Connelly made crucial tackles on back-to-back plays in the fourth quarter, dropping Nebraska's Jordan Westerkamp for a 1-yard loss on second down and combining to halt Terrell Newby on third down to hold the Huskers to a field goal that tied the game at 17-all.
He made another big stop in overtime, tackling Newby for a loss of 1 on a drive that saw the Badgers hold Nebraska out of the end zone to cap their third win over a top-10 team this season, a program first.
Connelly has helped keep the Badgers' defense dominant despite the loss of two of its primary starting inside linebackers (Cichy and sophomore Chris Orr) to season-ending injuries.Â
The Badgers rank No. 3 in the FBS in scoring defense, allowing just 14.6 points per game, and stack up ninth in total defense, allowing 301.1 yards per contest.
The sophomore replaced teammate Jack Cichy at inside linebacker and played an integral role in the Badgers' 23-17 overtime win over No. 7 Nebraska at Camp Randall Stadium.
For his efforts, Connelly was named Big Ten co-Defensive Player of the Week on Monday. The Eden Prairie, Minnesota, native logged a career-high 11 tackles – matching teammate Leon Jacobs for the game high – and finished with 2.0 tackles for loss and a pair of pass breakups.Â
Connelly made crucial tackles on back-to-back plays in the fourth quarter, dropping Nebraska's Jordan Westerkamp for a 1-yard loss on second down and combining to halt Terrell Newby on third down to hold the Huskers to a field goal that tied the game at 17-all.
He made another big stop in overtime, tackling Newby for a loss of 1 on a drive that saw the Badgers hold Nebraska out of the end zone to cap their third win over a top-10 team this season, a program first.
Connelly has helped keep the Badgers' defense dominant despite the loss of two of its primary starting inside linebackers (Cichy and sophomore Chris Orr) to season-ending injuries.Â
The Badgers rank No. 3 in the FBS in scoring defense, allowing just 14.6 points per game, and stack up ninth in total defense, allowing 301.1 yards per contest.
Players Mentioned
ILB
/ Football
ILB
/ Football
FB
/ Football
Luke Fickell Post-Game Media Conference || Wisconsin Football vs Minnesota || Nov. 29, 2025
Saturday, November 29
Wisconsin Football: (WI)red with Mason Reiger
Thursday, November 27
Highlights vs Illinois || Wisconsin Football || Nov. 22, 2025
Saturday, November 22
Luke Fickell Post-Game Media Conference || Wisconsin Football vs Illinois || Nov. 22, 2025
Saturday, November 22
