Logan Brown is ready to man right tackle again for Wisconsin if Riley Mahlman remains out because of a leg injury
MADISON – Logan Brown knew all last week he was going to make his starting debut for Wisconsin.
“Of course, I was nervous,” the redshirt junior right tackle said Monday. “But I wouldn’t say in a bad way. I was excited.
“It was the first time in a long time that I was that excited for a football game.”
Brown started against Washington State in place of redshirt freshman Riley Mahlman, who suffered a left-leg injury in the opener. Mahlman was not listed on the team’s initial status report for the Washington State game but did not suit up. Brown got the start and Trey Wedig was the No. 2 right tackle.
Mahlman was not listed on the status report released Monday for UW’s game this week against New Mexico State.
However, he was unavailable for interviews. Players who are injured/not expected to participate generally aren’t made available for interviews.
“I’m definitely not anxious,” Brown said when asked about the likelihood of starting again this week. “I’m just focused on tomorrow. Tomorrow is the first practice.”
Four of the offensive linemen were penalized in the loss to Washington State.
Brown was penalized once — for holding on an incompletion in the third quarter. That put UW in a second-and-17 hole and the drive eventually ended with Vito Calvaruso missing a 43-yard field-goal attempt with UW trailing, 17-14.
Brown was involved in a turnover on UW’s next series.
UW faced third and 6 from the Washington State 9 when defensive end Ron Stone was able to beat Brown around the edge. Stone hit quarterback Graham Mertz as he was trying to throw and defensive tackle Christian Mejia intercepted the pass at the 13.
He fumbled while trying to gain yards and Mertz recovered but the Badgers turned the ball over two plays later when tight end Clay Cundiff lost a fumble.
“I should have taken one more step with him and stayed square just one step longer,” Brown said when asked about his blocking against Stone. “Your first start you’re going to be hard on yourself. You’re like: ‘Wow. That sucks.’”
Head coach Paul Chryst noted Mertz could have done a better job protecting the football.
“Graham’s is absolutely correctable and avoidable,” he said.
More: Wisconsin's failure on a third-and-short run against Washington State is reminiscent of 2021
Brown has a clear goal if he makes his second start.
"Just build off last week," he said. "Become a better player."
UW's secondary will be short-handed against New Mexico State, though the Aggies' passing game has been inefficient through three games.
Cornerback Alexander Smith is listed as out for the game. Smith missed most of camp because of a hamstring injury and has yet to play. Safety Hunter Wohler (left leg), as expected, remains out.
However, cornerback Justin Clark (hamstring) is not listed on the status report and could make his debut this week.
What type of passing game will UW's secondary face Saturday? The Aggies average just 127.3 yards per game and their quarterbacks have completed a combined 42.3% of their attempts, with six interceptions and one touchdown.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Logan Brown set to start at right tackle again for Wisconsin football
