Wisconsin finalizes first-half plan at safety against Northwestern
Wisconsin hasn’t given up a first-half touchdown through three games this season. If that streak is going to continue, then the Badgers will have to overcome playing without both starting safeties Saturday against Northwestern.
Multiple sources confirmed Wisconsin will start backup safeties Collin Wilder and John Torchio in the first half Saturday.
With Eric Burrell and Reggie Pearson our for the first half, it’s Collin Wilder and John Torchio with the first-team defense. #Badgers
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) September 28, 2019
#Badgers' No. 1 safety pairing is Wilder and Torchio.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) September 28, 2019
Wisconsin’s starting safeties, Eric Burrell and Reggie Pearson, must both sit out the first half because of targeting fouls they committed in the third quarter against Michigan last week.
Wilder actually has as many tackles as Burrell, five, this season. Torchio is still waiting to make his first tackle of the season.
Wisconsin hosts Northwestern at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday. Burrell and Pearson will both be allowed to play the second half.