PLAYERS TO WATCH
–WR J.D. Spielman has been one of Adrian Martinez’s favorite targets. Against Purdue, Spielman had 10 catches for 135 yards and two touchdowns. That’s a significant improvement from his Week 4 effort, where he had four catches for just five total yards.
–RB Devine Ozigbo, with 17 carries and 170 yards for two touchdowns, more than doubled his season total for rushing yards against Purdue. The senior running back out of Sachse, Texas, discussed his focus on being a physical runner.
“I’m never trying to hurt anybody but it’s happened a few times and I’ve noticed it,” Ozigbo said.
“That’s definitely something where you always want to finish a run. You always want to be the hammer, not the nail. If you see a guy coming and he stands still, run through him and get yourself that extra yard. That’s my intention every time, just to always fall forward and get that extra yard.”
–CB Eric Lee, in a depth chart shakeup heading into Wisconsin, will earn a start at cornerback this week over Lamar Jackson. So far in 2018, Lee has just five tackles. He tallied 30 a season ago and defended a pair of passes.
“I told the guys I’m going to ride with the guys that I know are going to do it the right way and I trust,” coach Scott Frost said.
“There’s a lot of guys that we had to work with, and help to understand how we want things done, and what it takes to be that kind of person, that kind of good teammate. Eric’s figured it out. I wouldn’t say that’s the case at the beginning, but he’s done everything right this fall.”
SERIES HISTORY: Wisconsin leads Nebraska 8-4, including a 4-1 mark in Madison. The Badgers have also won the previous five meetings.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “Of course. I mean since the first time I met Coach Frost I have wanted to play for him, I wanted to fight for him, and I think this team does too. I think some people might not know what that requires. I think just getting that instilled is part of that process.” — QB Adrian Martinez on Nebraska head coach Scott Frost