QB Tanner Mordecai's Take on Wisconsin Badgers' Future

Tanner Mordecai, Wisconsin Badgers' quarterback, opens up about the team's strategy ahead of Week 4.

Sep 16, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Tanner Mordecai (8) rushes with the football during the third quarter against the Georgia Southern Eagles at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports / © Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Rebuilding Confidence After Week 2's Setback

The Badgers have had a roller coaster of a season. After a slow start, the Badgers managed a 38-17 win against the Buffalo Bulls in Week 1. This made the 31-22 loss to the Washington State Cougars in Week 2 incredibly disappointing. #8 Tanner Mordecai played hard though, pulling off a touchdown and 3 sacks.

The quarterback spoke with Rohan Chakravarthi after Week 2's game and Chakravarthi asked Mordecai what he was looking forward to improving.

"I think this team's going to get back on track," Mordecai responded. "The coach's message was just go back to work. ...That's just kind of our focus...let's not dwell on something that's already happened...last weekend. ...Let's move on."

Check out the entire interview at Badgers Talk with Rohan Chakravarthi.

And move on they tried. Despite another slow start in Week 3 against the Georgia Southern Eagles, the Badgers' second-half comeback led to a triumphant 35-14 win. Mordecai played a large role, scoring two touchdowns and a sack. 

Now the Badgers are gearing up for their first Big Ten game of the season against the Purdue Boilermakers this Friday. 

Sep 16, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Tanner Mordecai (8) rushes for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Georgia Southern Eagles at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports / © Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Gearing Up for Big Ten Showdown

Mordecai spoke to the press ahead of Friday's game and from the sound of it, he is excited for the first Big Ten game (video footage courtesy of Rohan Chakravarthi). "Pretty excited," Mordecai started. "...I think it's a challenge for us. It's an opportunity. This is what...we've been working for...to be successful in the Big Ten. And...Purdue's the team that won the West last year, so we have a lot of respect for them and what they've done, so."

Wisconsin has a long history of dominating the Boilermakers but that doesn't mean this will be an easy game. The Badgers are learning from what Syracuse did to beat Purdue in Game 3. He said, "We're trying to apply...what they did well and what they do that's similar to us that we can apply."

 But Morecai was quick to clarify that they weren't just copying Syracuse. "They did some things that are pretty good offensively and we're just trying to see how that kind of applies...to what we do and apply it the way that we want it to," he stated.

The rest of the season promises more twists and turns, but if the Badgers can build on the success of their last match, the sky is the limit. As Mordecai and Co. continue to put in the hard work, time will tell if it's enough to earn them a shot at Big Ten glory.

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