good.’’
In addition to J.J. Watt turning pro and the graduation losses — Blake Sorensen, Culmer St. Jean, Niles Brinkley and Jay Valai — the Badgers have lost two starters through injuries this season.
Outside linebacker Kevin Claxton was injured in the opener and has been limited since. Ethan Armstrong has been subbing for Claxton.
Cornerback Devin Smith was injured against Oregon State and has been lost for the season. Marcus Cromartie has taken over for Smith.
Northern Illinois coach Dave Doeren — who was the UW defensive coordinator the past five seasons — didn’t waste any time attacking and testing Cromartie last Saturday in Chicago.
UW coach Bret Bielema saw it coming, too.
“Coach Doeren is going to tell those (NIU) offensive guys where to go if he feels that someone’s a weak link,’’ Bielema said, “and the first play went right at Cro.’’
Northern Illinois quarterback Chandler Harnish completed an eight-yard pass to Perez Ashford with Cromartie coming up to make the tackle.
That was the equivalent of a “heads-up’’ to Cromartie.
“Again, Dave (Doeren) went after Cro right away,’’ Bielema said, “and I know he thought, ‘Okay, here we go.’ But the Cro he knew when he left here wasn’t the Cro I have today.
“Cromartie had to go through two-and-a-half years of getting beat up. He had to go through two-and-a-half years of us pounding it in his head. And now he’s a seasoned player.
“Cro is the type of kid where the more confident he is, the better he’s going to play.’’
