Wisconsin star wide receiver shines in loss to Alabama

Not many aspects of Wisconsin’s performance in its 42-10 home loss to No. 4 Alabama on Saturday require applause.

The offense couldn’t find consistency, the defense suffered lapses and the talent gap was quite evident.

One player, however, delivered a signature performance in front of a national television audience and packed house at Camp Randall Stadium. Wide receiver Will Pauling, UW’s leading pass-catcher in 2023, showed up to the occasion.

The Chicago, Illinois native finished with a game-leading nine catches for 83 receiving yards and a touchdown. To put the output into context, UW wide receiver Vinny Anthony II finished with two catches, the second most for Wisconsin on the afternoon.

Pauling served as somewhat of a safety blanket for second-year Badger quarterback Braedyn Locke after Wisconsin’s starter Tyler Van Dyke exited the game with a knee injury.

Pauling showcased his ability as a pass-catcher during both horizontal and vertical schemes. He also found the end zone on a fourth-down play late in the third quarter to give the Badgers their lone touchdown of the contest.

Here’s the play:

Prior to the game vs. Alabama, Pauling reeled 10 total catches for 118 total receiving yards in the first two weeks of the season. He is undoubtedly Wisconsin’s most dependable playmaker in the pass game and will likely lead the team in targets, catches and receiving yards in 2024.

With Van Dyke out for the remainder of the season with an ACL injury, the relatively inexperienced Locke will surely lean on Pauling to create on the offensive end. His next opportunity awaits on Sept. 28 vs. the USC Trojans in Los Angeles.

Story originally appeared on Badgers Wire

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/wisconsin-star-wide-receiver-shines-113032201.html

Author : Badgers Wire

Publish date : 2024-09-17 11:30:32

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