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Wisconsin’s Paul Chryst, Jim Leonhard talk about facing former Badgers QB Jack Coan

Scott Schultz

By Scott Schultz

Published:

When No. 16 Wisconsin hosts No. 12 Notre Dame on Saturday at Soldier Field in Chicago, the Badgers defense won’t be a stranger to Irish quarterback Jack Coan.

The Notre Dame signal-caller spent four years at Wisconsin, and has found a home in South Bend. On Saturday, Coan threw for 223 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Irish toppled in-state rival Purdue for the sixth straight time, 27-13, extending its home winning streak to 26.

While the Irish haven’t looked overly impressive in the season’s first month, with their first two victories against Florida State and Toledo only coming by a combined six points their showing over Purdue was solid, especially for Coan.

Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard remains a fan of Coan, as well as a friend, and the two still speak often.

 

Leonhard wishes nothing but the best for the former Badger — except when he plays Wisconsin. Of course, everyone has a bad game once in a while, and Leonhard’s hope is it’ll be against his former team.

For now, the game isn’t about a former player playing his former team, but Badgers head coach Paul Chryst prefers that the focus is on the game between Wisconsin and Notre Dame.

The battle between the two top-20 teams will kickoff at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday, Sept. 25 at 11:00 AM CT.

Scott Schultz

Scott Schultz covers Michigan State Football, along with Breaking News for B1G Football & Basketball for Saturday Tradition. He also serves as an Automotive News Editor & Writer, and Softball Writer elsewhere on the web. Follow him on Twitter @SRSchultz.