The University of Wisconsin has charged ahead in the first couple of weeks of Big Ten Conference play, beating Iowa and Illinois by large margins to go 2-0.

 

With a new coach, Nick Tyson at the reins, the team has shifted their focus somewhat, and it’s paying off, said captain and loosehead prop Dan Gaenslen.

 

“We have shifted our focus to defense more than anything,” said Gaenslen. “When we talk about what number we care about, we care about zero - we want to stop the other team from scoring. It’s a good approach and the players really like it.”

 

Boasting a smaller pack than many of their rivals, the Badgers still, as always, pride themselves on their scrummaging technique. And while props Gaenslen and new-to-rugby Josh Kowalczyk anchor the front row, it is, said the captain, an all-eight task.

 

“We know we all have to work together,” said Gaenslen. “We are driving all eight of us as a unit in the scrum. Overall, we are aiming high. We want that Big Ten trophy back.”

 

Among the standout players are two twin brothers. Hunter Crass is the team’s No. 8 and a powerful force in an effective back row. Meanwhile Tyler Crass just transferred in to the Madison campus, and the wing is the team’s leading scorer so far.

 

Gaenslen acknowledges that the Badgers have not played their toughest opponents yet. Michigan, Minnesota, and Indiana all wait in the wings. The Wolverines are next up.

 

“We know they will be tough,” said Gaenslen. “But we’re focussing on that zero.”

 

Through the rest of the conference, there are some wrinkles. Nebraska had to pull out when their hopes that the school would support their travel plans were dashed. Indiana is not eligible for the playoffs because they used ineligible players last year.

 

Indiana, however, is still a force to be reckoned with, and beat Ohio State 50-22 last weekend.

 

The team played well together. 

 

Ben Dull, and Robert and Brian Murr lead the way in the forwards for IU, while the backline is coming along, with Bryce Camplle, Jake Garwood, and Teddy and Jake Hedalgo playing well and scoring tries.

 

Coach Sarasopa Enari is guarded about the team’s prospects.

 

“The team played well together, and we were trying to get into a rhythm for our first game,” he said. “But there’s lots of work that needs to be done yet.”

Next weel's games and current standings:

Ohio State	at	Michigan State
Purdue	at	Nebraska
Wisconsin	at	Michigan
Indiana	at	Iowa
Illinois	at	Minnesota