Jeff Potrykus

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Jason Erdmann felt as if he was cramming for a final exam.

Knowing tight end Zander Neuville might not be available to play against Iowa because of an ankle injury suffered the previous week, the Wisconsin coaches designed a jumbo package featuring two extra offensive linemen.

Erdmann, a redshirt junior who can play guard or center, and reserve tackle Logan Bruss, a redshirt freshman, were on call.

Erdmann also had to prepare to fill in at left guard if Michael Deiter went down and at center if Tyler Biadasz went own.

“It was a struggle,” Erdmann said after UW’s 28-17 victory over the Hawkeyes. “At the beginning of the week, I was juggling tight end stuff, center and guard.

GAME STORY: Badgers score twice late to beat Iowa

AWARDS: Game balls, inside the huddle, by the numbers

BOX SCORE:UW 28, Iowa 17

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Scoreboard, box scores, standings

“At the beginning of the week, I had to think to myself: ‘What position am I at? What’s the play?’

“It wasn’t right away but I got there.”

Erdmann and Bruss were used separately and in tandem to help UW run the ball at Iowa’s stout front.

Then after Biadasz was injured on UW’s first offensive series of the third quarter, Erdmann took over at center. He was at center for UW’s final five series, three of which ended in touchdowns.

“Going into the game I knew if Tyler went down or Deiter I would have to switch," Erdmann said. "I just never knew when.

“When I was at (center) I didn’t have to worry.”

Deiter, who has started games at center, left guard and left tackle, raved about Erdmann’s performance.

“He was awesome,” Deiter said. “To go from … I mean, it’s hard enough to be prepared to play center, let alone prepared to play tight end, center and left guard. He has been unreal for us and he played unreal tonight. He is reliable.”

Van Ginkel, Neuville inspire

Outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel and tight end Zander Neuville, essential pieces to UW’s success, spent most of the week leading to the Iowa game in the training room trying to overcome leg/ankle injuries.

“I was in the training room all week just to get ready to play this game,” Van Ginkel said. “I was limited. I could do certain stuff. But certain movements it hurt. Coach didn’t want to just throw me in and injure it worse.

“I’m just doing what I can to help this team win.”

Van Ginkel and Neuville, UW’s best blocking tight end, played sparingly in the victory over Iowa.

Yet their determination left an impression with their teammates.

“Everyone on this field today really proved that we are gritty and we want to write our story,” fullback Alec Ingold said. “It is a game of resilience and those guys set the tone.”

What type of story do the players hope to pen?

“Resilient,” Ingold said. “Smart, tough, dependable. Keep the mindset of what the seniors have laid before us but also put our own little notes on it.”

Tailback by committee

Although Jonathan Taylor got 25 of the 41 carries by UW running backs, he had plenty of help against the Hawkeyes.

Taylor finished with 113 yards, the 14th time in 18 college games he has broken the 100-yard mark.

But tailback Taiwan Deal ran over and through tacklers and added 42 yards on seven carries. Garrett Groshek added 33 yards on eight carries and Ingold ripped off a 33-yard touchdown run at the end of the game and finished with 37 yards on two carries.

The quartet combined for 225 yards on 41 carries, an average of 5.5 yards per carry.

Deal's power running style helps wear defenses down and Groshek's versatility, particularly on third downs, is critical.

Look for the staff to continue to use Deal and Groshek in certain roles to help the offense and ease Taylor's workload.

Ferguson bounces back

With UW trailing, 17-14, and facing third and 3 from the Iowa 44 in the fourth quarter, tight end Jake Ferguson dropped what should have been an easy conversion.

UW punted.

Ferguson, a redshirt freshman, regrouped and had a 12-yard catch to the Iowa 17 on UW’s 88-yard touchdown drive. He finished with 58 yards on four catches.

“It is really tough,” he said of the drop. “Coming into spring ball, at practice every day, my big thing is: ‘Don’t drop any balls. Don’t drop any balls. No matter what, do not drop a ball.’

“That one was rough for me but I had a lot of support from the guys. All the coaches were there.

“I really appreciate them being there.”

Badgers join the 700 club

UW improved its program record to 700-491-53 with the victory and became the fifth current member of the Big Ten and 26th program overall to reach that milestone.

UW joined Big Ten members Michigan (946), Ohio State (902), Nebraska (893) and Penn State (881).

Extra points

» UW won its 16th consecutive Big Ten regular-season game, the longest active conference streak in the nation…

» The victory extended UW’s Big Ten road-winning streak to eight games, the longest mark in program history…

» Iowa finished 5 for 11 on third-down conversions, a dramatic improvement over the Hawkeyes’ 0-for-13 performance in a 38-14 loss last season. Yet the Hawkeyes lost in part because they converted just once on their final four chances.