MADISON—As high a standard as Wisconsin has set in recent seasons on defense, the unit failed at critical points during Saturday’s performance in a 24-21 loss to BYU at home.
On the stat sheet, Wisconsin gave up 311 yards to the Cougars, just six yards over the amount its defense allowed in the season opening win against Western Kentucky two weeks ago. Quarterback Tanner Magnum—who only passed for 89 yards—and his offense only moved the chain on third downs three times out of nine attempts.
However, defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard’s unit gave up 191 yards on the ground with the BYU rushing attack gaining 10 or more yards six times in “chunk plays.