By Scott Beedy
Staff Writer
Channel 3000

MADISON, Wis. -- In three non-conference games to start the season, the Wisconsin Badgers football team was porous against the run. Northern Illinois, Fresno State and Wofford combined for 493 yards of rushing offense. But once the Big Ten season started the Badgers filled the gaps to become the conference's best team against the run. Coach Bret Bielema credited depth on the defensive line.

"Last year you knew our four, and that was the main four," Bielema said. "Inside, Jeff Stehle, Dan Moore and Patrick Butrym have given us a steady rotation through there. And also, another player, Jordan Hein, who has come in and given us maybe only five to ten reps, but they’ve been critical for us, not only to close out the games, but now to allow us to play strong down the stretch of the season. And it’s had a big effect."

The Badgers haven't given up 100 yards rushing to any Big Ten opponent, a streak they hope to keep alive Saturday against Northwestern.

"The play of O’Brien Schofield and J.J. Watt has been tremendous," Bielema said. "And then with Louis Nzegwu and Brendan Kelly just to pop in there and do what they do, because we really had a mixture of linebackers in there."

"Chris Borland, since he’s become a starter, I believe he’s been the leading tackler in most of the games since he’s been in there. Mike Taylor was leading the team before he got hurt. Jaevery McFadden just played his best game. So it’s kind of hard to say what one of those guys have been a factor, but just a steady performance by all of them."

As far as watching the statistics, Bielema said keeping a team fewer than 100 yards rushing is something he's monitored and stressed since he was coaching with Kansas State.

"I remember when I first started coaching," said Bielema. "Keep a team under 100 yards rushing, and I don’t know how realistic that was, but I always did think if you had someone that was their main rushing guy, if you held him under 100 yards, you would more than likely have success. Take away their best threat, and that goes back to back when I was at Kansas State playing Nebraska when they were really good at running the option."