Sports

Net Punting: Nortman's Years Not Defined by 2 Blocked Punts

Brookfield Central graduate has been model of consistency over four years for Wisconsin

It would be unfair — for many reasons — to have two unfortunate blocked punts this season serve as the lasting imprint of Brad Nortman’s four years with the Wisconsin Badgers football team.

So during the run-up to the Badgers’ Big Ten Championship Game with Michigan State on Saturday, let’s instead look at the Brookfield Central graduate’s entire body of work.

From his first game as a true freshman, against Akron in 2008, Nortman was installed as the starting punter. Being a four-year starter was one of his goals after coming in as one of the top-rated punters in the nation, he said in a story that appeared in the UW game program back in September.

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Since the first game, through 192 punts, Nortman’s consistency has been … well, consistent. His gross average has been between 41.8 and 42.7 each season, leaving him third in school history with a career average of 42.1.

There have been big games, of course. He pinned three of his five punts inside the 20 when the Badgers surprised many by beating Miami in the Champs Sports Bowl after the 2009 season. As a junior, he averaged 50.5 on two kicks in a victory over No. 1 Ohio State, and 48 on two kicks in a last-gasp victory over Iowa.

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In that game, Nortman also ran 17 yards on a fake punt on the winning drive, helping secure Big Ten co-Special Teams Player of the Week honors. It’s indicative of his athleticism, which led him to being an All-Greater Metro Conference linebacker in high school. And it’s a play that has identified him as much as any kick, he said in that UW program feature.

“It’s so true, it’s my image now with the media and everyone else,” he said with a laugh. “Honestly, I love talking about it. That play (at Iowa) is so ingrained in my mind.
“I can still visualize it. It was one of those moments I’ll never forget.”

His senior year has provided other notable moments, both high and low. Against Illinois he was one of the keys to victory, booming a 74-yarder with the wind to change field position and dropping another kick at the Illini 5-yard line. He was named honorable mention All-Big 10 this week, and finished fourth in gross punting average at 41.8.

But the Badgers’ net average was only 35.3, seventh in the league, and that’s where discussion of those blocked kicks comes in. The game-changing plays against Michigan State and Ohio State weren’t Nortman’s fault, but they did play a big role in the Badgers’ only two losses, which took them out of consideration for a national championship.

Wisconsin made changes in punt protection after the second of those mistakes and the protection problems appear to have disappeared. The Badgers should find out Saturday night in Indianapolis.

That will be the 51st game of Nortman’s career, with only a bowl game remaining, and he's certainly impressed his coach. Wisconsin's Bret Bielema had told reporters earlier this year that Nortman was one of the best punters in the country.

“Brad's as mentally tough as I've had at that position. Usually kickers and punters are a little off-center, but he's been really good. He handles the pooch game as well so it really brings down his average. He doesn't even think about that.”

The Big Ten Championship Game can be seen on FOX 6 at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Follow Brad Nortman on Twitter: @BradNortman98.


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