Friday, September 24, 2004
The Badgers have allowed just one touchdown in three games.
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Erasmus James spent all of last season rehabbing a dislocated hip that threatened to end his playing career. He's spent this year in a much better place: the quarterback's face.
James, who has recorded a tackle for loss on the first defensive series in all three of No. 20 Wisconsin's games this season, is a big reason the Badgers (3-0) are the only team in the nation that has allowed just one touchdown through three games.
He was named the Big Ten's defensive player of the week for his three tackles for 26 yards in losses, including two sacks, in the Badgers' 9-7 win at Arizona on Saturday, when he also forced a fumble and knocked down a pass.
Streak buster
The Penn State Nittany Lions (2-1) will have to neutralize James if they hope to end their seven-game losing streak away from Beaver Stadium when they visit Madison on Saturday.
So far, double teams haven't done the trick.
"Even with the tight end over there, I still don't think they could block me," James said in a manner that exuded more confidence than cockiness.
James, a fifth-year senior who has played just two full college seasons, said he welcomes double teams.
"I'm kind of happy I'm going to face some double teams, because then I'll be able to go out there and show them what I've got," he said.
James weighed 210 pounds when he was recruited from McArthur High School in Pembroke Pines, Fla., and was a speed rusher who could bench press 225 pounds just one time -- and barely, at that.
Big and strong
Now he weighs 263 pounds, can bench 225 pounds 25 times and simply overpowers tackles whenever necessary.
"If you see a lineman standing back on his heels, he's susceptible to getting bull-rushed," James said. "If I come out of my stance and I think I've got them around the edge, I'll take the edge. But if I don't, I can bull-rush them back right into the quarterback and make that play."
Badgers defensive line coach John Palermo said James is making the most of his comeback.
"Erasmus has realized there's not many people that get a second chance and he was given a second chance, and he's done everything with that chance that he could possibly do to improve," Palermo said.
"I always expected a good player. I don't know that I expected a great player. And right now, in the first three games, he's been a great player."