MADISON, Wis. -- Members of Wisconsin's defense jogged off the field after stopping Rutgers near the goal line and surrendering only a field goal late in the first quarter last Saturday. Yet when they arrived on the sideline, defensive coordinator Dave Aranda unhappily huddled his players near the bench and lit into them about lowering pad level, pushing back and stopping the run.
The unit had done well to limit the damage in an eventual 48-10 blowout victory. But it hadn't done enough to prevent Rutgers from pounding the ball for four first downs on the drive, and Aranda wanted to send a stern message.