MIKE LUCAS Senior Writer

BY MIKE LUCAS
UWBadgers.com Senior Writer

MADISON, Wis. — Eight months ago, Inoke Breckterfield had no idea how essential Zoom would become in carrying out the daily operations of the football program. He was not alone, of course.

As the landscape changed, the 43-year-old defensive line coach had initial reservations about conducting virtual meetings with his players and peers. But he adapted quickly, a sign of the times.

"Once we settled in with the Zoom (meetings) and were able to figure it out, how to do film and give these guys different drills to do — and I like the group, not just my position but the team in general, they're workers — they did a great job in that time staying in shape," said Breckterfield, an assistant on Paul Chryst's coaching staff for the last nine seasons; six at Wisconsin and three at the University of Pittsburgh.

When the UW canceled in-person classes after spring break due to the coronavirus pandemic, video conferencing was the lifeline to remote schooling and training during the quarantine period. Zoom, thus, grew into an indispensable communication bridge between the coaches and players.

And it's no less vital right now in adhering to social distancing and virus protocols. In fact, it has grown more essential than ever after a flurry of positive COVID tests within the Wisconsin program resulting in staff and position group meetings going virtual out of an abundance of caution.

Since beating Illinois in the Oct. 23 opener at Camp Randall Stadium, the Badgers have canceled back-to-back games with Nebraska (Oct. 31) and Purdue (Nov. 7) — both are viewed as a "no contest" by the Big Ten — while implementing what turned out to be a nine-day pause (Oct. 28-Nov. 5) in all-team related activities.

Breckterfield has always been confident in how this UW team would handle the stops and starts or any eventuality. Whether it was a setback. And a stop. Or a restart. To this end, the Badgers have resumed operations and practices this week in preparation for Saturday night's game at Michigan.

When the ball is kicked off (6:30 p.m. CST) in the Big House, it will mark 22 days since Wisconsin last played. Moreover, the two-deep will not necessarily be the same that it was for the Illinois matchup because of the Big Ten's mandatory 21-day layoff policy on players testing positive.

The Badgers may be shorthanded. But they won't be short on motivation to get back on the field. Speaking for his defensive line, and their adaptability, Breckterfield said, "For us upfront, the big thing is we have a lot of guys who have been around me for a long time and they know what's expected.

"You can give them a drill and they know what to do and how to do it. I thought they did a really great job during this COVID time of staying in shape, being on these Zoom calls, taking all the mental reps and then just getting back (to practicing)."

The Badgers are two deep across the D-line. They have the equivalent of three starters for two defensive end positions: senior Isaiahh Loudermilk (21 career starts), junior Matt Henningsen (15) and senior Garrett Rand (10). Bolstering the DE rotation is sophomore Isaiah Mullens (14 appearances).

Breckterfield outlined how that overall experience — including the tag team of Keeanu Benton and Bryson Williams at nose tackle — factors into the product and "allows us to be more flexible in terms of what calls we have" and why he could "take that next step in asking them to do certain things."

Benton, a sophomore from Janesville, Wisconsin, broke it down from his own perspective.

"Coach is really trying to take our leashes off," he said, "and let us go eat as a D-line."

That was apparent on the second snap of the 2020 opener against Illinois.

Rand engaged Illinois' 6-foot-6, 320-pound left tackle Vederian Lowe, nimbly played off his block laterally and made the first contact on tailback Mike Epstein, who coughed up the football. Linebacker Noah Burks collected the fumble and the Badgers scored six plays later to grab the early momentum.

"I saw the formation in the backfield and I knew that I was going to get a certain block," said Rand, a fifth-year senior from Chandler, Arizona "I just did my job and I did it well. I made the tackle, but I actually didn't realize that the ball came out and that was an extra bonus. It's definitely a momentum-changer, especially on their first drive."

Defensively, the Badgers feasted on an Illinois offense that brought back its starting quarterback (Brandon Peters), its top two wide receivers (Josh Imatorbhebhe and Donny Navarro) and four/fifths of an offensive line that Pro Football Focus had rated No. 1 in the Big Ten ahead of Ohio State and Iowa.

After the Illini failed to score an offensive touchdown and produced only eight first downs and 218 total yards, UW inside linebacker Jack Sanborn boasted, "Our D-line dominated the game. I thought they played amazing. Just having them making plays means so much to our defense."

Breckterfield was not surprised by the effort or production.

"The whole offseason was about cutting them loose and getting to be more productive in trying as a unit to make up for the missing pieces of (Zack) Baun and (Chris) Orr," he said.

In 2019, the defense revolved around the playmaking skills of Orr, an aggressive, perpetually energized inside linebacker; and Baun, a marquee, difference-making edge rusher. Together, they combined for 154 tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss and 23 quarterback sacks. Both were fifth-year seniors.

"We're definitely going to try and get a good pass rush upfront and that's what we've been working on," said Rand, who had a strip sack of Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan in last season's game. "Hopefully, you'll see something this season of us big guys making more plays."

The 6-7, 287-pound Loudermilk, also a fifth-year senior, is not quite as big. By design.

"I've really been working on flexibility this offseason," said Loudermilk, a native of Howard, Kansas. "It was really something that I tried to take more seriously — being able to bend a little bit more but also cutting a little bit of weight — being more explosive off the ball and having faster feet.

"I worked on a lot of speed, a lot of agility stuff along with a lot of flexibility stuff.

"I definitely think I can be more of a presence in the pass rush this year."

Benton is not quite as big, either. He was 320 as a true freshman.

"I've lost a few pounds and weigh in at 310 and I feel way stronger and more explosive as well," said Benton, a prep wrestler. "Last year I had an impact showing people how powerful I was. This year, I just want to fine-tune those little adjustments I have to make with my hand placements and footwork."

Benton turned 19 in July.

"I'm way more confident — I can go out there with no butterflies and just play fast," said Benton, crediting Rand and Loudermilk for their support in accelerating his development. "They both helped me in the same ways getting me comfortable.

"Knowing they've got my back and they're going to do their job; I can focus on doing mine."

Benton had a career-high four tackles in the Illinois win.

That tied him for the team-high with Rand, safety Collin Wilder and linebacker Leo Chenal.

"During your freshman year, you've got those puppy dog eyes, and you still don't know what's going on," Rand said of the normal transition for a first-year player. "He (Benton) looks more comfortable with what he's doing and what he's seeing."

Breckterfield has his own expectations for Benton.

"Number one is his consistency … you saw it in flashes," he said. "You want him being a more consistent player — better soundness, technique — and grow into the playbook. You know the what-to and the how-to.

"I want to cut him loose a little bit more in different situations."

That would entail playing Benton in the base 3-4 and any specialty defenses.

"Keeanu can be a terror in there," Breckterfield said. "I'll get him some nickel reps."

In this case, the Badgers employ two defensive linemen in combination with five defensive backs to counter multiple receiver, spread offenses. Under normal circumstances, defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard will remove the nose in favor of an extra secondary defender. Benton wants to stay on the field.

"That's definitely my goal, I've been working on it and coach has been getting me reps," said Benton, who has shown the ability to mount a pass rush. Last season, he had sacks in each of the two games against Ohio State, whose O-line is annually loaded with NFL draft picks.

After playing 21 defensive snaps in the opener, Benton is hoping to see more action Saturday against a Michigan offensive line that is in transition. Not only are the Wolverines trying to replace four starters from last season, but they played without their starting tackles last Saturday at Indiana.

Minus the injured anchors upfront — right tackle Jalen Mayfield, the only returning starter, and left tackle Ryan Hayes, who started the first two games against Minnesota and Michigan State — Andrew Stueber shifted from right guard to tackle and Zak Zinter, a true freshman, started at guard.

The biggest impact of the shuffling and inexperience was on the running attack. The Wolverines rushed for a net of 13 yards on 18 carries in the 38-21 loss to the Hoosiers, who snapped a 24-game losing streak in the series. Hassan Haskins was the leading rusher with six carries for 19 yards.

A year ago, the Badgers played their most complete game of the 2019 season in routing Michigan, 35-14, at Camp Randall. The Wolverines fell behind early and abandoned the run — finishing with just 40 net yards on the ground (19 carries) with a long rush of nine yards.

Michigan quarterback Joe Milton will definitely pose a challenge to Wisconsin's pass defense. The 6-5, 243-pound Milton threw for 300 yards (32-of-51) against Michigan State and 344 yards (18-of-34) against Indiana. His leading receiver has been Ronnie Bell (14 catches for 269 yards).

"Obviously very talented," Chryst said of Milton, a junior from Pahokee, Florida. "You talk about his arm strength — it jumps out at you. Quick release. He can throw a lot of different balls. And they've got good receivers to go get it. In my opinion, he's a really good football player.

"What makes him dangerous is there are other guys around him.

"There's enough things that they do well that it's a challenging week for our defense."

This is where Wisconsin's experienced defensive line can help set the tone.

"The main thing is that we know that we can be a special unit," Loudermilk said. "We've been around each other a long time. We've learned a lot. This year it's really about the D-line stepping up and I think we will. We'll have some playmakers upfront."

Loudermilk feeds off Rand and Henningsen and Mullens. Benton feeds off Williams.

And vice versa.

"As far as the friendly competition," Loudermilk said, "you see one guy make a play and it makes you want to make the next play. Or work a little harder. You love to see someone make plays. That's how we feed off each other. We're celebrating for them and then we'll see who makes the next one."

The key in all of this was just getting to play the next one. The next game.