The sack celebration admittedly needs some work.
Then again, University of Wisconsin sophomore defensive tackle Beau Allen is not alone in that regard.
Allen is tied for the team lead in sacks after five games with injured defensive end David Gilbert. They each have three.
Who would have given Allen, who didn’t have a sack last season, a chance of doing that prior to the season?
“Maybe my mom,” Allen said. “It’s been a pleasant surprise.”
So, it was understandable how Allen reacted after his sack of Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez in the second quarter of UW’s 48-17 win two weeks ago.
“I kind of went nuts,” Allen said.
Sophomore defensive tackle Jordan Kohout’s only career sack came in the opener against UNLV last season and his defensive line mates still tease him about it.
“He had the most awkward celebration ever,” Allen said. “He did a little box jump. You never really know what to do with yourself.
“You’re really pumped up when you make a play like that, but you don’t want to come off as cocky or anything like that.”
But Allen is going to have to figure it out. The Badgers went into the season hoping to get more big plays out of their defensive tackles and it’s starting to happen, with a boost from Allen.
“I’m proud of what he’s done,” defensive line coach Charlie Partridge said. “He did it by following the game plan, what we had to do against Martinez: be patient and smart with any move you make and when he goes to escape, be in position. That’s how he got it.”
After weighing as much as 340 pounds as a true freshman last season, Allen has looked noticeably quicker at his current 310.
“I just feel real good,” he said. “I feel like I can go harder for longer. I feel like I’m faster than I’ve ever been.”
Allen, a highly regarded recruit from Minnetonka, Minn., also is putting things together in his second year.
“I think it’s finally clicking,” Allen said. “I’ve got a little confidence that comes with experience. I feel a lot more capable. I know I’m capable of making plays. That sort of mentality makes all the difference.”
