Cut block on Aaron Witt draws concern from Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell about player safety

MADISON – Lost in the aftermath of Wisconsin's loss at USC on Saturday was a potentially lingering injury to Aaron Witt.

The junior outside linebacker was blocked low on Trojans quarterback Miller Moss’ 7-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter. Witt, who was defending the strong side of the formation, crashed down the line on a read option play and was cut blocked on his right leg by tight end Kade Eldridge.

Moss, meanwhile, kept the ball and ran to the side of field that was occupied by Witt and, after breaking a couple of tackles, eventually scored to give the Trojans a 31-21 edge with 8 1/2 minutes to play.

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Witt, who has battled numerous injuries during his time at UW, was helped off the field and didn’t return.

“Not a great play,” Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell said during his Monday press conference inside the McClain Center. “If you haven’t watched it yet, it will probably be on the video of teaching this weekend.”

Fickell said Witt took a shot to the knee and that he wasn’t able to “run around a whole lot” during the team’s Sunday workout.

“I think he is still questionable for where we are right now,” Fickell said. “It’s only Monday. That’s a good thing. But it was kind of one of those ones, it’s something we’ve got to get out of the game.”

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Cut blocks are illegal if made by a player who isn’t a lineman or stationary back inside the tackle box, though there are some nuances to the rule.

Fickell thought the play represented a gray area of the rule.

“I’m not got dwell upon it. Hopefully they’ll be able to take care of it and address it and make sure we’re all on the same page as we teach and coach these guys to take on some of these blocks,” Fickell said. “It’s a part of making our game a little bit better and a little bit safer for everybody as opposed to just quarterbacks and wide receivers.”

Where have the Badgers made the greatest strides?

Fickell was asked where the program has taken the biggest steps forward since his arrival. The coach pointed to the team’s leadership, while also noting that change is more of a subtle thing.

“There’s baby steps,” he said. “I don’t know that there is one giant leap. Everybody is looking for that giant leap. I’ve been in programs before where you see what that giant leap is and I would say right now it’s baby steps.

“I think things that we have done inside the locker room have helped us and have created a different environment and I think things that we’ve done on the field in little ways have created things that we need to continue to build upon.

“Are we still waiting for that giant leap. Yeah, maybe. It’s not as obvious. It is not as evident because all you get to see is Saturdays, but I can tell there are a lot of baby steps that lead to the things that make greater changes.”

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Fickell's confidence in the offensive line remains strong

Fickell has regularly spoke about leaning on the offensive line in terms of being a key cog in the team success. He did it again Monday, while noting that the unit was capable of more Saturday at USC.

“If you look back at that second half, we need them guys to be better,” Fickell said. “I’m not trying to point a finger, but they can handle it and if we’re going to continue to grow and have continued baby steps that eventually become large leaps it’s going to start with that group."

Are changes in store for punt returns?

The Badgers have used Tyrell Henry and Vinny Anthony as punt returners this season. Both have muffed punts during games.

When asked if someone else might get a shot at that position, Fickell expressed continued confidence in Henry and Anthony but also mentioned junior Will Pauling, who returned punts during fall camp last season, as a possible option.

“We haven’t put him back there a lot from two years ago when he got hurt returning punts," Fickell said. "It was one of those things that ‘Ok, just try to keep him out of that position.' We’ve done so many other things with him. I don’t that there is another great option.”

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Cut block on Aaron Witt draws concern from Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell about player safety