Zachman named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week

Badger safety Preston Zachman was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, announced by the conference on Monday afternoon. Zachman picked off a pair passes in Wisconsin’s season-opening shutout victory over Miami (OH) last Thursday night.

Zachman’s first INT of the game set up a Badger score inside the 5-yard line to put Wisconsin up 17-0 in the fourth quarter. His second pick sealed the victory in the game’s final minutes. Zachman collected his 6th and 7th career INTs and became the first Badger to collect two interceptions since CB Ricardo Hallman tallied two in a win over Purdue on Sept. 22, 2023. Zachman also had a pair of solo tackles in the win.

Through Sunday’s action, Zachman is the only Power 4 player with multiple INTs this season. He’s the first Badger to earn Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors since Hunter Wohler in 2023 (Sept. 18, 2023).

Zachman helped the Badger defense hold Miami (OH) to only 117 total yards and an 0-for-9 clip on 3rd down. It marked the Badgers’ first shutout since the 2022 opener, and the performance marked the first time since 2017 that the Badgers held an opponent under 150 total yards and without a successful third down conversion.

Wisconsin hosts Middle Tennessee on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Camp Randall Stadium for Wisconsin’s White Out game. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on FS1. Tickets are available here.