Inside the Huddle: Clement keeps tabs on fellow ‘Jersey guy’ Taylor
November 11, 2017 | Football, Mike Lucas
Van Ginkel’s ties to Iowa provide extra shine to Saturday’s trophy game
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BY MIKE LUCAS
UWBadgers.com Senior Writer
MADISON, Wis. — As the teams intersected at midfield for the traditional postgame handshakes, an Indiana assistant coach intercepted Jonathan Taylor and exchanged pleasantries with the freshman tailback.
"He said, 'Congratulations, I'm proud of you,'" Taylor recounted. "Just good vibes."
Those words carried weight coming from Mike Hart, the running backs coach for the Hoosiers and Michigan's career rushing leader, one of just five players in Big Ten history with over 5,000 yards.
The 31-year-old Hart recruited Taylor when he was a Syracuse assistant.
"I've seen his highlights," Taylor said of Hart's playing career. "And he was for real."
In 2004, Hart was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year after rushing 282 times for a Michigan-record 1,455 yards and nine touchdowns.
This season, Taylor looks like a shoe-in for the FOY award in the conference. Through nine games, he has rushed 190 times for 1,368 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Hart rushed for over 100 yards in 28 of 43 career games. He went over 200 five times.
Taylor has rushed for more than 100 yards in six of nine games. He has gone over 200 three times.
If it were not for a penalty on an 18-yard run, Taylor would have gone over 200 at Indiana. Instead, he "settled" for 183 in his return to action after missing the second half at Illinois due to an injury.
"It's definitely a challenge when you're injured," said Taylor, who picked up 73 yards in the first half against the Illini. "The thing that really gets you going is the guys that are playing on the field.
"You want to get back playing with them. That's something that drives and motivates you. When you're a band of brothers, like we are, it just pushes you to get back as fast as you can."
Taylor didn't waste any time picking up where he left off. He had a 45-yard run on his first carry.
"I was excited to get back," he said. "So, I was trying to make sure I hit the game full-blast."
In the third quarter, Taylor put the "jet" back into the jet sweep with a 32-yard TD run. Through the first eight games, the Badgers had little success executing what has been a staple of the offense.
Jazz Peavy, A.J. Taylor, Quintez Cephus, Danny Davis and cornerback Derrick Tindal had combined for 14 carries and just 39 yards on the jet sweep. Tindal had the biggest gain, 13 yards.
"We ran that play maybe once or twice my senior year," Taylor said. "Any time you can get the ball running full speed and you already have that head of steam, you can make things happen."
Talented. Driven. Award-Winning. ...and only true freshmen? Yep. #VarsityMag introduces you to the newest class of Badgers worth keeping an eye on. ???? http://go.wisc.edu/varsity-8-11
— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) November 9, 2017
Jersey Boys Reunion
After Tuesday's practice, Taylor posed for pictures with Philadelphia Eagles rookie running back Corey Clement, who's spending the team's bye week in Madison.
"We've talked before," Taylor said. "I congratulated him on the game he had Sunday. He had a hat trick (three TDs). That was big. I was happy for him. It's always nice to have Jersey guys around."
Just a couple of running backs from Jersey. Great to have @CoreyClement_6 back visiting. #OnWisconsin
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) November 7, 2017
Taylor and Clement were raised 30 minutes apart; Taylor is from Salem, New Jersey; Clement is from Glassboro. As fate would have it, Taylor broke Clement's single-season South Jersey rushing mark.
"Yeah, he's got one of my records," Clement chuckled. "But I still have the career one (6,245)."
As an undrafted free agent, he has already surpassed most NFL expectations, save his own. "It meant a lot to make the team," said Clement. "I had a lot on my shoulders. I had a big chip."
Acknowledging that there were no guarantees, he said, "Getting the opportunity to show them (the Eagles) what I could do and now playing a role in the offense is definitely big for me."
Last Sunday, Clement accounted for two rushing touchdowns, and one receiving, as the resurgent Eagles crushed the Denver Broncos, 51-23, to improve their record to 8-1.
Clement is Philly's third-leading rusher (48 carries, 182 yards, 3 TDs) behind LeGarrette Blount and quarterback Carson Wentz.
"I want to keep it going and make sure this city gets something it deserves," he said.
Clement was obviously implying a trip to the Super Bowl.
You know what to do, Badger fans Vote for our man Corey ??
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) November 9, 2017
As for his friendship with Taylor, he said, "Before he got here (to UW), I told him, 'Stay humble, stay grounded and know you can win the position. You'll get a chance to show what you can do.'
"He's definitely doing that and more. JT is a phenomenal player and person off the field. I knew he was going to keep the pipeline going from South Jersey. I just want to see him ball out Saturday."
Clement was referring to the Iowa-Wisconsin matchup at Camp Randall Stadium. Last season, he had 35 carries for 134 yards and a touchdown in a 17-9 win at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.
So, what will Clement tell Taylor about the Iowa-Wisconsin rivalry?
"It's all about securing the trophy, it doesn't matter what the score is," he said of the Heartland Trophy. "These games are more physical than others — like physical times five.
"We knew what Iowa brought to the table and they knew what we brought to the table. Basically, as a runner, you have to do whatever you have to do to get a first down and touchdown."
"Nobody's won a game practicing against air" Week in and week out, the scout team is a big reason why the #Badgers are prepared on Saturday
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) November 7, 2017
What Are Reivers? And Why Should You Care?
Last season, Wisconsin outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel and Iowa wide receiver Nick Easley were playing for Iowa Western Community College, whose nickname is the Reivers.
(By definition, Reivers were River Pirates who attacked Missouri River vessels in the 19th century. Not to be confused with "The Reivers," the last novel authored by William Faulkner.)
Iowa Western, which is in Council Bluffs, was also a stepping stone program for Green Bay Packers receiver Geronimo Allison, who wound up in the Big Ten at the University of Illinois.
Van Ginkel, who's from Rock Valley, Iowa, took a more circuitous route to Council Bluffs than Easley, who's from Newton (just outside of Des Moines).
After two years at South Dakota, including a redshirt season, Van Ginkel transferred to Iowa Western. Despite dealing with a hip injury, he still had 13 tackles for loss and three sacks in 2016.
Van Ginkel, the only Iowa native on the UW roster, has 24 tackles, including 7 TFLs and 5 sacks this season. He picked the Badgers over the Cornhuskers and the Hawkeyes, who also offered him.
"I rooted for them (the Hawkeyes)," he said, "but I never went to any of their games."
Rock Valley is more than five hours from Iowa City.
"We always talked about the recruiting process," Van Ginkel said of his conversations with Easley. "He was first committed to Iowa State as a walk-on, then Iowa came in late. He always dreamed about being a Hawkeye."
Last season, the 5-11, 203-pound Easley was the leading junior college receiver in the country with 72 catches and was named a first-team NIJCAA All-American.
After a strong showing during spring practice, Easley earned a spot in the rotation and has been one of the more pleasant developments on offense this fall. He leads the Hawkeyes with 39 receptions.
"He's a great guy and a good friend," Van Ginkel said. "And he has great hands. He doesn't drop very many. We're going to have to get in there and break it up and be real physical with him."
Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley, a 6-5, 235-pound cheesehead from Menomonie, Wisconsin, will challenge the UW defense with his powerful arm and his imposing size and strength in the pocket.
"You can't arm tackle him," said Van Ginkel. "We have to get as many hits on him as we can and let him know in the back of his head we're coming after him and we're going to be there every play."
Van Ginkel had to find more tickets than usual for family and friends for Saturday's game.
"There are a lot of people back home who are Hawkeyes fans," he said. "It will be a special day for me. But ultimately, it's just another game and I'm going to prepare well and attack it that way."
Some might call Alec Ingold an "old-school football player" Fitting, since that's how you'd also describe Alec's taste in music: "old school"
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) November 9, 2017
Note to Quote
The road team has won six straight in the series. Wisconsin's last home win was 10 years ago (Sept. 22, 2007). P.J. Hill rushed for 113 yards and quarterback Tyler Donovan threw for 138 yards (12-of-23) as the No. 9 Badgers outlasted the Hawkeyes, 17-13, at Camp Randall. Taylor Mehlhaff (now a quality control assistant) kicked a 40-yard field goal with 2:02 left. On its final offensive play, Iowa quarterback Jake Christenson (17-of-37 for 169 yards) overthrew a wide-open Paul Chaney.
Not Everybody Gets a Trophy
Wisconsin is 15-1 in its last 16 trophy games against Nebraska (Freedom Trophy), Minnesota (Paul Bunyan's Axe) and Iowa (Heartland Trophy). The lone defeat was to the Hawkeyes here in 2015.
Iowa is 9-1 in its last 10 trophy games against Iowa State (Cy-Hawk Trophy), Minnesota (Floyd of Rosedale), Nebraska (Heroes Trophy) and Wisconsin. The only loss was to the Badgers last season.
The Heartland Trophy has been handed out since 2004.
"We're going there (to Madison) hungry," Hawkeyes fullback Drake Kulick told the Iowa City Press-Citizen. "They have our trophy. And we don't plan on leaving there without it."
Lock in ?? It's trophy week ?? #OnWisconsin || #Badgers
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) November 8, 2017
First and 10: Iowa
- Stanley has 12 TD passes and 0 interceptions vs. the current AP Top 25 (Ohio State, Michigan State, Penn State, Iowa State). He's averaging 236.8 passing yards in those games.
- The Hawkeyes have outscored foes 93-40 in 4th quarter. UW is plus-73 (94-21). Hawks have scored points in final 2 minutes to tie or take lead vs. ISU, PSU, and NW.
- Tight ends Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson have combined for 42 catches. All but five have been for scores (10) or first downs. Fant's seven receiving TDs most since Marvin McNutt had 12 in '12.
- Second-leading rusher James Butler (57 carries for 260 yards) is 22-year-old grad transfer from Nevada where he had 607 rushes for 3,313 yards and 27 career TDs.
- Mount Vernon's Tristan Wirfs (6-5, 315) is the first true frosh to start at offensive tackle during Kirk Ferentz's 19 years. Wirfs won state prep titles in wrestling, discus and shot put.
- WR Matt VandeBerg, who was granted a medical redshirt (foot) after four games last year, has 127 career receptions for 1,614 yards. He has 21 catches and 2 TDs this season.
- First-year offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz is Kirk's son and former Hawkeyes O-lineman. Spent three years on Bill Belichick's staff in New England. Kirk coached for Belichick in Cleveland.
- LB Josey Jewell has collected 10 or more tackles in 19 games, six this year. Has 393 career tackles. All-time leader with 492 is LB Larry Station, who was recruited by Barry Alvarez.
- DE Anthony Nelson (6-7, 260), no relation to DT Matt Nelson (6-8, 285), is tied for 3rd in Big Ten with six sacks. Co-leaders are UW's Garret Dooley/Michigan's Chase Winovich with 6.5.
- CB Josh Jackson tied the school record (shared by Grant Steen and Tyler Sash) with three interceptions vs. Ohio State. Leads nation in passes defended (20).
Quote to Note
On what has factored into the UW being one of only five remaining unbeaten FBS teams, fullback Alec Ingold said, "We're brothers. We're really close this year, which is something special to be a part of. Everyone has everyone else's back. And we're playing off each other. The defense is making plays boosting the offense to make plays and vice versa. And special teams are in there, too."
