The Good Hands Guy

The grades are in from the Minnesota game and for the most part they were good.

However, the return game continues to be a mess and could cost the Badgers a win against a better opponent (i.e., Iowa or PSU). I think Zach Hampton needs to be relieved of this duties and I welcome the idea of "Lynn" Swan returning punts.

Update from WSJ:

Hampton keeps job

Junior safety Zach Hampton remains the Badgers' punt returner, despite his struggles to cleanly field the ball last week against Minnesota. Junior receiver Luke Swan replaced Hampton for Minnesota's final punt.

Hampton's problems started on the Golden Gophers' second punt, which was extremely short. He ran up and had a clear field in front of him, but dropped the ball and had to fall on it. He fought the wind on the next one, which he bobbled and seemed to lose some confidence after that, also muffing the next one.

The biggest thing Bielema mentioned when Hampton became the returner was his reliable hands. Hampton, who is averaging only 6.7 yards per return, lost a fumble against Michigan and also had a fumble that was recovered by teammate Ben Strickland two weeks ago against Northwestern.

"Luke's got very sure hands, but is a guy that we feel, if we put him in the game, it's pretty much a fair catch," Bielema said.