Recapping Wisconsin’s spring game

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
Wisconsin put a bow on spring ball Saturday with its annual spring game at Camp Randall Stadium. Not surprisingly, the Cardinal team, made up of the starting offense and starting defense, beat the second stringers from the White team 56-20.
Badgers offensive coordinator Paul Chryst wanted to narrow the team's quarterback competition from four players…
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Filling out the Top 10 Big Ten games of 2008

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

The response has been excellent for my list of the top five Big Ten games this season, so I’ve decided to extend the rundown to 10. Many of you made compelling arguments for games that should have been included in the top five, but I’m comfortable with my list.

I do think some other memorable contests should be recognized, so here’s the full rundown.

Recapping the top five (actually six):

1. Penn State at Iowa, Nov. 8, Kinnick Stadium (Iowa wins 24-23)
2. Penn State at Ohio State, Oct. 25, Ohio Stadium (Penn State wins 13-6)
3. Northwestern at Minnesota, Nov. 1, Metrodome (Northwestern wins 24-17)
4. Ohio State at Wisconsin, Oct. 4, Camp Randall Stadium (Ohio State wins 20-17)
T-5. Wisconsin at Michigan, Sept. 27, Michigan Stadium (Michigan wins 27-25)
T-5. Minnesota at Wisconsin, Nov. 15, Camp Randall Stadium (Wisconsin wins 35-32)

And here are games 6-10.

6. Wisconsin at Michigan State, Nov. 1, Spartan Stadium

I came very close to including this among the top five, but the fact that Michigan State played pretty poorly for the first 50 minutes or so kept it out. Still, the Spartans’ comeback and the Badgers’ collapse, which included a rare penalty on a head coach (Bret Bielema), made the game pretty memorable. Wisconsin dominated most of the game and was a holding penalty away from closing it out, but Michigan State capitalized on its final chance, driving 56 yards for the game-winning field goal with no timeouts remaining. Spartans kicker Brett Swenson went 4-for-4 on field goals, including a 50-yarder and the decisive 44-yarder in the fourth quarter as Michigan State prevailed 25-24.

7. Michigan at Purdue, Nov. 1, Ross-Ade Stadium

In a league dominated by defense and running backs, Michigan and Purdue produced a game that would make the Big 12 proud. The teams combined for 90 points and 822 total yards. Michigan scored three touchdowns of 45 or longer (one rush, one pass, one punt return), and Purdue backup quarterback Justin Siller sizzled in his first career start. The game also produced arguably the Big Ten’s Play of the Year, as Purdue executed a hook-and-lateral from Siller to Greg Orton to Desmond Tardy, who scored with 26 seconds left to give the Boilers a 48-42 win.

8. Iowa at Illinois, Nov. 1, Memorial Stadium

It was a pretty sloppy game on both sides, but the final 21 minutes featured several edge-of-your seat moments. Illinois took control with a 50-yard touchdown pass to Fred Sykes and a seven-yard fumble return to the end zone by cornerback Dere Hicks. But Iowa struck back to tie the score at 24-24 on a Shonn Greene run with 2:46 left. It set the stage for Illinois to drive 54 yards in 12 plays, setting up a 46-yard field goal by freshman Matt Eller that secured a 27-24 win.

9. Illinois at Penn State, Sept. 27, Beaver Stadium

If you liked big plays and tremendous athleticism, this was the game for you. The teams combined for four touchdowns of 21 yards or longer, and Penn State wide receiver/return man Derrick Williams stole the show with 241 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns (one rush, one pass, one return). Illinois stayed close for most of the way behind quarterback Juice Williams and wide receiver Arrelious Benn, but Penn State’s Williams proved to be too much on a “Whiteout” night in Happy Valley.

10. Minnesota at Illinois, Oct. 11, Memorial Stadium

The Golden Gophers completed their turnaround from 1-11 to bowl eligible with a tremendous defensive performance against Illinois. Minnesota senior defensive end Willie VanDeSteeg had arguably the league’s best individual defensive effort of the season, recording three sacks, a forced fumble that was returned for a touchdown and a pass deflection that led to an interception in the fourth quarter. Minnesota held off Illinois’ big-play passing attack to win its first Big Ten road game since 2006.

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The top five Big Ten games of 2008

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

With the regular season in the books, it’s time to look back at the best Big Ten games from the 2008 season. What puts a game on this list? Great endings certainly help, and short- and long-term significance also increases a game’s appeal.

My only condition was that the game occurred between Big Ten teams. It was a fairly forgettable nonconference slate for the Big Ten, so I decided to confine the list to conference play.

Here’s my top five (OK, six). Please feel free to send me your nominations. Remember, conference games only.

1. Penn State at Iowa, Nov. 8, Kinnick Stadium

Not only did the game impact the national title race, but it featured a fairly dramatic shift and a thrilling finish. After falling behind early, Penn State controlled the clock and the game for most of the way, taking a 23-14 lead into the fourth quarter. But Iowa came alive late behind quarterback Ricky Stanzi, who overcame some early mistakes to attack the Big Ten’s top defense. Stanzi led the game-winning scoring drive, setting up a 31-yard field goal by Daniel Murray, an Iowa City native who hadn’t attempted a field goal since Sept. 20. Though the game took Penn State out of the national title mix, it might have turned around an Iowa program that had fallen off the last three years.

2. Penn State at Ohio State, Oct. 25, Ohio Stadium

Much like the Big Ten itself, the Penn State-Ohio State clash lacked the sexy offensive numbers and defense-optional feel that seemed to dominate college football this season. But this was a smart, well-played football game. Both defenses came to play and showed things that might not impress the average college fan but certainly made an impression on NFL scouts. In the end, it came down to the first major mistake, a fourth-quarter fumble by Ohio State freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who had played a solid game until that point. Despite losing starting quarterback Daryll Clark to a concussion, Penn State capitalized for the win.

3. Northwestern at Minnesota, Nov. 1, Metrodome

It’s pretty rare when you see a walk-off interception, but Northwestern safety Brendan Smith essentially pulled one off against the surging Golden Gophers. After several deflections, Smith intercepted an Adam Weber pass and raced to the end zone with 12 seconds left to give Northwestern a 24-17 victory. The game featured another defensive touchdown — on a Traye Simmons interception return — and a Big Ten record for quarterback rushing, as Northwestern backup Mike Kafka racked up 217 yards on the ground.

4. Ohio State at Wisconsin, Oct. 4, Camp Randall Stadium

When Terrelle Pryor’s college career is over, many will look back to this night as the start of something special. After Wisconsin took a 17-13 lead with 6:31 left, Pryor led a 12-play, 80-yard scoring drive. He converted two third downs and a second-and-15, and also benefited from two fumble recoveries. Pryor scored the game-winning touchdown on a Badgers defensive breakdown with 1:08 left. Ohio State running back Chris “Beanie” Wells turned in a big performance (168 rush yards), and the Buckeyes snapped Wisconsin’s 16-game home win streak.

T-5 . Wisconsin at Michigan, Sept. 27, Michigan Stadium

After covering this game, I figured it would end up much higher on the end-of-year list, but both teams ended up going downhill. Still, the greatest comeback in Michigan Stadium history deserves a place here. Wisconsin totally dominated the first half, building a 19-0 lead on a hapless Michigan team that got booed by its own fans at halftime. But Michigan transformed after the break and Wisconsin lost its edge on defense. A Wolverines defensive touchdown proved to be the game-winner, though Wisconsin had a chance to tie at the end.

T-5 Minnesota at Wisconsin, Nov. 15, Camp Randall Stadium

The Badgers were on the wrong end of several heartbreaking losses this year, but they rallied to beat rival Minnesota in dramatic fashion. After Minnesota dominated the first half, Wisconsin responded behind running back P.J. Hill (117 rush yards, 2 TDs). The Badgers broke a 24-24 tie with back-to-back safeties and scored another touchdown before Minnesota struck back late. But a Niles Brinkley interception sealed an emotional win for Wisconsin and kept Paul Bunyan’s Axe in Madison.

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Reviewing my preseason Top 25 (things to watch)

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

It’s always fun at this time of year to look back at preseason thoughts and predictions. In August, I outlined 25 items I wanted to see during the Big Ten season. Several of them came true, others didn’t and some materialized in different ways.

Here’s a look back at the list to see what worked out and what didn’t. 

	AP Photo/Carlos Osorio
	Terrelle Pryor earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors.

1. Terrelle Pryor lead an offensive drive — He might be a Tim Tebow-like weapon near the goal line, but I’m more interested in how the Ohio State freshman quarterback handles a real offensive series. Pryor’s athleticism is undeniable, but it will be important to monitor his passing accuracy and the way he leads older teammates.

The verdict: We had plenty of opportunities to see Pryor lead drives after he was named Ohio State’s starter in Week 4. Despite a few growing pains, Pryor held his own and displayed remarkable athleticism in winning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. He also came up big in the clutch to lead Ohio State’s game-winning touchdown drive Oct. 4 at Wisconsin. 

2. Michigan’s quarterbacks — Rich Rodriguez has ushered in a new era in Ann Arbor and will turn to unproven players like Steven Threet, Nick Sheridan and possibly Justin Feagin to lead his spread offense. There will undoubtedly be growing pains, but if one of those three takes control, the Wolverines will surge.

The verdict: Oh, there were growing pains. Big ones. Threet and Sheridan struggled to fit into Rodriguez’s system, and Michigan finished the season ranked 109th nationally in total offense. Feagin likely will move to slot receiver in 2009, and incoming freshmen Shavodrick Beaver and Tate Forcier will compete for the starting quarterback spot. 

3. Jump Around at night — Camp Randall Stadium is intimidating enough during daylight hours, but the electricity will reach new levels this fall with back-to-back night games against Ohio State and Penn State. The Badgers haven’t lost at home under coach Bret Bielema, and they should have a tremendous home-field edge this fall.

The verdict: It was pretty cool to see Ohio State players jump in lockstep with the Wisconsin students on Oct. 4, but Camp Randall certainly lost its edge this fall. Wisconsin saw its home win streak fade against Ohio State and then suffered its worst home defeat since 1989 the next week against Penn State. Plus, the Badgers band was suspended from performing Oct. 4 after allegations of hazing surfaced. 

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Penn State Nittany Lions season recap

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

After an offseason dominated by talk of disciplinary problems and Joe Paterno’s viability as a coach, Penn State shifted the spotlight back to where it matters, the football field.

The Nittany Lions were unquestionably the Big Ten’s best team this fall, blending a dynamic offense with a resolute defense to finish 11-1. For the second time in four seasons, Penn State emerged with a league title and came a flicker away from competing for the national championship.

As for Paterno? Despite a bum hip he injured while demonstrating an onsides kick in preseason practice, the 81-year-old once again proved that it’s foolish to question his coaching ability.

The Spread HD system provided a crystal-clear picture for Penn State’s offense, which surged behind a first-year starter at quarterback (Daryll Clark), a first-year starter at running back (Evan Royster), three multiyear starters at wide receiver (Derrick Williams, Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood) and a veteran-laden offensive line. Drawing comparisons to Penn State’s record-setting 1994 offense, the unit ranked 11th nationally in scoring (40.2 ppg), eclipsing 34 points in all but two games.

The defense lost key pieces to injury, suspension and dismissal, but an underrated unit showed remarkable depth, particularly up front. Defensive end Aaron Maybin emerged as Penn State’s next dominant pass rusher, and linebacker Navorro Bowman filled the void left by Sean Lee. The Lions’ defense ranked fourth nationally in scoring (12.4 ypg) and fifth in yards allowed (263.9 ypg).

Despite a near perfect season, Penn State didn’t get much national respect. A Rose Bowl win against USC would change things.

Offensive MVP — Quarterback Daryll Clark

After outlasting Pat Devlin for the starting job, Clark immediately took ownership of the offense. A perfect fit for the Spread HD system, Clark accounted for 26 touchdowns (17 pass, 9 rush) and threw only four interceptions in 285 pass attempts. The consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection brought excellent leadership to the huddle and showed great discipline. Royster and Williams also deserve to be mentioned here.

Defensive MVP — Defensive end Aaron Maybin

No position group lost more during the summer and the early part of the fall than the defensive line, but Maybin stepped in and stepped up. The redshirt sophomore led the Big Ten in sacks (12) and ranked third in tackles for loss (19). He was a consensus first-team all-conference selection, an All American and a finalist for the Bednarik Award. Bowman and defensive tackle Jared Odrick also should be recognized here.

Turning point — Oct. 11 at Wisconsin

Like Ohio State, Penn State had multiple turning points, including a 24-23 loss at Iowa that knocked it out of the national title race. But a trip to Camp Randall Stadium allowed Penn State to establish itself as a legitimate championship contender and the Big Ten’s top dog. The Lions handed Wisconsin its worst home loss since 1989 and won in dominating fashion, as it did for most of the season (10 wins by 14 points or more).

What’s next

The Lions have an excellent opportunity to show they shouldn’t be grouped in with the Big Ten’s recent BCS failures by upsetting USC at the Rose Bowl. Despite an 11-1 mark with the lone blemish a 1-point road loss in the final minute, Penn State’s dominant season hasn’t resonated nationally. Next fall the Lions must replenish itself at wide receiver, in the secondary and along the offensive line, but Clark, Royster, Bowman, Maybin and Lee return to lead a team that once again will contend for a BCS bowl berth.

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Bielema takes lessons from rocky season

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

Bret Bielema won 17 of his first 18 teams as a head coach, took his first two teams at Wisconsin to January bowl games and entered the fall with a squad poised for a BCS run.

Charmed certainly would be a term to describe Bielema’s salad days in Madison. But in the back of his mind, he knew things wouldn’t always go well for him.

	David Stluka/Getty Images
	Bret Bielema and the Badgers won their final three games of the regular season.

“If you don’t, you’ve just got your head in the sand,” Bielema said Wednesday while on a recruiting trip. “You realize that tough days are just beyond tomorrow.”

The tough days arrived for Wisconsin after a 3-0 start and an ascent to the top 10 in the national polls. After building a 19-0 halftime lead, the Badgers fell victim to the biggest comeback in Michigan Stadium history and fell, 27-25, on Sept. 27.

They lost their dominance at Camp Randall Stadium with consecutive losses to Ohio State and Penn State, dropped four games in a row and five out of six to sit at 4-5 in early November. Injuries to key players such as All-American tight end Travis Beckum, backup tight end Garrett Graham and left tackle Gabe Carimi stung, as did poor quarterback play and fundamental lapses on both sides of the ball.

Criticism swelled for Bielema, who earned the ever-popular fire-me Web site and questions about his decisions. Throughout the dark period, the 38-year-old tried to embrace his core beliefs more than ever.

“If I had the entire season to do over again, I would definitely make changes to what we did,” Bielema said, “not only during games, but also in preparation as well as postgame, being able to critique and move forward. Obviously, when we don’t have success, it brings up a lot of critiques and a lot of analysis from the outside world. But on the same account, you really have to understand the reason you’ve had success over your career is because you understand what football’s about, what schemes are about, what execution is about.

“It still gets down to basic principles of if you do things right and play hard and execute without mental errors, you’re going to win football games.”

Bielema still recites a famous quote — “Adversity introduces a man to himself” — as he reflects on a season that began with great promise, quickly spun out of control but finished with three consecutive wins and a postseason berth, most likely to the Champs Sports or Insight bowl.

Wisconsin was one of only three Big Ten teams — Ohio State and Iowa were the others — to win its final three games.

“Everybody can do well when things are going right,” he said. “Anybody can coach, anybody can have success. But when adversity strikes, when you hit a bump in a road, you have to right the ship. That’s probably the best thing I took from the season.

“It gave an indication of the resolve this team has to get themselves in a position where they are right now. For us as coaches, it was huge to face adversity and respond positively.”

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The Wisconsin Badgers: A Celebration of Mediocrity

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Weighing in on the other Big Ten PM games

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

There were three other Big Ten teams in action this afternoon. It’s time to weigh in on those games.

NORTHWESTERN 27, ILLINOIS 10

Northwestern always will fight an uphill battle for respect, but games like this and seasons like this go a long way toward changing the perception of this program. Listed as a home underdog despite three more victories than Illinois, the Wildcats made the oddsmakers look like fools with their most complete performance of the season. A defense that has completely turned around behind first-year coordinator Mike Hankwitz held the Big Ten’s top offense to 335 yards and a season-low 10 points. Senior end Kevin Mims led the way on defense, while his classmate, senior quarterback C.J. Bacher, had arguably his best performance (22-for-33 passing, 220 yards, TD). The Wildcats (9-3) are one of the league’s better stories and could be heading to a New Year’s Day bowl.

Illinois is sort of like the Jackson family: extremely talented and extremely dysfunctional. Sure, the Illini lost some of the pillars from their Rose Bowl team (Rashard Mendenhall, J Leman, Kevin Mitchell). But to go 5-7 without major injuries? That’s pathetic. It marks the second straight time Illinois has followed a Rose Bowl appearance with a bowl-less season (1984). That’s a troubling history of not being able to sustain success, something head coach Ron Zook must change in the coming years. Quarterback Juice Williams still needs some seasoning, but Zook’s main priority will be a defense that underperformed.

WISCONSIN 36, CAL POLY 35 (OT)

Did you hear the collective sigh of relief emanating from Camp Randall Stadium? A loss to Cal Poly probably wouldn’t have kept Wisconsin out of a bowl game, but it would have added an embarrassing footnote to a somewhat disappointing season. Nothing against Cal Poly, an excellent offensive team. The Mustangs held the ball for nearly 40 minutes and converted 9 of 17 third downs. Wisconsin rallied behind running backs John Clay (107 rush yards, 2 TD) and P.J. Hill (59 rush yards, 2 TD), and prevailed in overtime, thanks to a missed extra point. The Badgers aren’t very good and they’ve underachieved on both sides of the ball, but a 7-5 record, a bowl opportunity and wins in three of the final four games certainly take the sting off a season that fell short of expectations.

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Purdue’s Tiller preparing for sendoff

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

	Paul Jasienski/Getty Images
	Joe Tiller leaves Purdue as the school’s all-time winningest coach.

Joe Tiller wanted to keep the focus on Purdue’s rivalry matchup against Indiana. He found out very quickly that it would be nearly impossible to do so.

Tiller’s Monday began with a luncheon at the quarterback club, where those in attendance held up “Thank you, coach” placards. As usual, Tiller had a witty response. 

“Are those left over from coach [Gene] Keady’s retirement?” he joked, referring to Purdue’s longtime basketball coach. 

When Tiller did his television show later that day, the final segment was devoted to his career at Purdue. 

“I didn’t particularly care for that much but I appreciate [it] immensely,” he said. “So it’s starting to sink in a little bit.”

Tiller will coach his final game at Purdue on Saturday (ESPN2, noon ET) before retiring to Wyoming, where he’ll trade playbook and whistle for rod and reel. He leaves as Purdue’s all-time winningest coach (86-62 record) after spending 12 seasons at the school and guiding the Boilermakers to 10 bowl games. 

The 65-year-old admits things could get emotional on Saturday, but until then he’s trying to concentrate on the game. 

“You get a little nostalgic,” said former Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez, who coached his final game at Camp Randall Stadium in 2005. “You start thinking of your career. You start to reminisce about all the players and the good times. You start thinking a little bit about the future and what you’re going to do and what it’s going to be like without football because that’s what you’ve done all your life.

“That’s all he’s done. That’s all I ever did.”

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Iowa’s King of the trenches waits for Badgers

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

The spread offense has become a large part of the Big Ten fabric, but there are still games and players that reflect the league’s cloud-of-dust roots. 

Wisconsin-Iowa is one of those games and Hawkeyes senior defensive tackle Mitch King is one of those players. There will be no sign of the spread offense Saturday at Kinnick Stadium. Instead, two teams with massive running backs and brawny linemen will pit power vs. power, much like they did 10, 20 and 30 years earlier.

King, the anchor of Iowa’s defensive line, has no objections.

“I love playing this game,” he said. “They love running the ball, we pride ourselves in stopping the run. It’s smash mouth. It’s determined between the lines, offensive and defensive line. That’s where at Iowa we pride ourselves.”

King’s zest for facing Wisconsin shows up in the stat sheet.

He got his first whiff of the rivalry in 2005, when the Hawkeyes visited Camp Randall Stadium and ruined the send-off for longtime Badgers coach Barry Alvarez. Injuries had depleted Iowa’s defensive line, and King, a converted linebacker, made his fifth career start in the game. 

“We actually had nobody else behind him,” Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz said, “so we were lucky that he developed as quickly as he did.” 

King racked up two sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry as Iowa held Wisconsin to season lows in both points (10) and yards (276). He was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts and earned Freshman All-America honors after the season. 

“The atmosphere they bring in that stadium is electrifying,” King said. “I love playing in that stadium. Ever since then, it really hit home for me.”

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