Wisconsin Badgers season recap

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

Wisconsin made no secret about its chief goal for the 2008 season. As one of only three FBS teams to have reached January bowl games in each of the last four years, the Badgers’ next step was obvious.

BCS or bust.

Unfortunately for Bret Bielema’s team, it turned out to be the latter. A four-game losing streak to begin Big Ten play eliminated Wisconsin from the BCS mix and made the program’s last BCS bowl appearance (2000 Rose) seem a little further away. Wisconsin rallied to win three of its final four games and reach its fifth consecutive bowl, but the Badgers and their fans wanted more.

Things looked good after Wisconsin won its first three games and built a 19-0 halftime lead at Michigan. But the fundamental lapses and poor quarterback play that would define the losing streak surfaced in the second half in the Big House. Though Wisconsin boasted the Big Ten’s deepest rushing attack with P.J. Hill, John Clay and Zach Brown, it needed more from its quarterback and its drop-prone wide receivers. Dustin Sherer provided a lift under center down the stretch, but Wisconsin figured things out a little too late.

The defense had its moments but struggled to stay consistent, and Bielema began to feel some heat after a charmed first two seasons on the job. Wisconsin’s bungling of the second half at Michigan and the fourth quarter at Michigan State prevented a special season, though the Badgers can finish with a Champs Sports Bowl victory against Florida State.

Offensive MVP — Wide receiver David Gilreath
It’s tough to separate Hill and Clay, so Gilreath gets the nod after showcasing his big-play ability during the Big Ten season. Gilreath led Wisconsin in receiving yards (515) and displayed his speed as a runner (290 rush yards) and a punt returner (9.1 ypr). The sophomore finished third in the Big Ten in all-purpose yards (145.3 ypg).

Defensive MVP — Cornerback Allen Langford
Langford battled back from a torn ACL and finished his college career on a high note. The senior earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from the media after finishing second in the league in passes defended (14) and recording two interceptions. Langford racked up 11 of his 14 pass deflections in Big Ten play. Linebacker DeAndre Levy and defensive tackle Mike Newkirk also deserve to be recognized.

Turning point — Sept. 27 at Michigan
The Badgers were rolling along: a 3-0 record, a top 10 national ranking, a 19-0 halftime lead. They pounded Michigan with Hill and Clay and shut down the Wolverines offense. But everything fell apart in the second half, as Wisconsin lost its defensive edge, committed costly turnovers and made fourth-quarter mental mistakes that cropped up too often this season. A second turning point should be noted on Oct. 25, as the Badgers beat Illinois to open a 4-1 closing stretch.

What’s next
A Champs Sports Bowl win against Florida State would end things on a good note and possibly build some momentum for 2009. Sherer could be the answer at quarterback, but Wisconsin will once again turn to the rushing attack of Hill, Clay and Brown. The Badgers must fill some holes on both lines and at linebacker, but they return enough talent to make another postseason push. Bielema is definitely safe in Madison, but another disappointing season could change things.

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Wisconsin’s Clay catches up fast

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

Once Wisconsin fans got a taste of John Clay running the football this fall, they immediately asked for extra helpings.

It was easy to see why.

	Jeff Hanisch/US Presswire
	John Clay, widely considered the Badgers’ running back of the future, averaged 5.7 yards a carry in the last six regular-season games this season.

At 6-foot-2 and 237 pounds, Clay might fit the Wisconsin running back mold better than any player this decade. He runs like he’s ticked off and brings an impressive mix of speed and power to the backfield.

Better yet, he’s a homegrown product, an all-state player from Racine.

But for much of the season, Clay was delivered only in small doses, frustrating much of Badger Nation who wanted to see more.

Brilliant with the ball in his hands and an open field before him, Clay struggled with some of the other aspects that go into being a successful Big Ten running back.

He needed time to fine-tune his alignment, master his blocking assignments and improve his ability to read defenses. In a preseason practice I attended, Clay would often line up incorrectly and still break off big gains. The ability was there, but the know-how needed work.

Clay redshirted the 2007 season after academic issues initially delayed his arrival to training camp.

“Coming in late hindered me a lot,” Clay said this week. “I wasn’t with the team for three weeks before the season started and they tried to throw me in there right away and I didn’t pick it up fast enough. So redshirting, sitting out helped me out. I knew I had to focus on my academics. Everything fell into place after that.”

Clay showed flashes early this fall, scoring a touchdown at Michigan following an electrying 46-yard dash. But he spent most of the second half on the sideline as Michigan rallied for a 27-25 win.

The redshirt freshman began to get more opportunities in the second half of the season, as Wisconsin closed with wins in four of its final five games. Sharing carries with starter P.J. Hill and fellow reserve Zach Brown, Clay rushed for 100 yards or more in three of his final four games and averaged 5.7 yards per carry in the last six regular-season contests.

“We feed off of each other,” Clay said of himself, Hill and Brown. “When somebody does something good, we’re the first ones there to congratulate each other. If we mess up, we’re right there to tell each other what we should have did or what it should have looked like.”

Clay and Hill lead Wisconsin’s offense into the Champs Sports Bowl against Florida State and will anchor one of the Big Ten’s deepest rushing attacks in 2009.

Considered the Badgers’ running back of the future, Clay knows his time is coming.

“I’m more confident in myself, trusting my ability and trusting my alignment, knowing my reads,” he said. “I feel good that they count on me and I can do that for the team.”

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Personnel updates from around the league

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

Update your depth charts, people.

NORTHWESTERN

Backup quarterback Mike Kafka is expected to be fine for Saturday’s regular-season finale against Illinois after sustaining a concussion in the win at Michigan.

The news isn’t so good for defensive tackle Corbin Bryant, who will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury that will require surgery. Junior Adam Hahn, a two-year starter at defensive tackle, will get the start against the Illini.

OHIO STATE

Junior wide receiver/punt returner Ray Small might be able to play Saturday against Michigan (ABC, noon ET), head coach Jim Tressel said today. Small has been suspended for the last two games for repeated violations of team rules. After the suspension, Small’s father told several media outlets that Ray would have a chance to return for the Michigan game.

Tressel expects running back Chris “Beanie” Wells to be fine for the game after the star junior tweaked his hamstring on a highlight-reel leap over Illinois’ Donsay Hardeman in Saturday’s win. Nickel back Jermale Hines (leg) is the only Buckeyes player to miss the game because of injury.

WISCONSIN

Sophomore wide receiver Kyle Jefferson likely will miss Saturday’s game against Cal-Poly after sustaining a concussion in the win against Minnesota. This comes as no surprise, as Jefferson was briefly knocked unconscious and taken from the field in an ambulance.

Badgers head coach Bret Bielema expects starting right tackle Eric Vanden Heuvel (leg), starting safety Jay Valai (shin) and backup running back Zach Brown (ribs) all to be available for Cal-Poly.

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Big Ten internal affairs: Week 10

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

It’s time to take a closer look at five Big Ten teams.

1. Wisconsin — Running back P.J. Hill is fully participating in practice after being limited by a leg injury last week, but he could take a backseat to redshirt freshman John Clay on Saturday at No. 21 Michigan State (ESPN, noon ET). Head coach Bret Bielema said Hill, Clay and Zach Brown will compete for carries throughout the week, with all three players likely being used in some form against the Spartans. But Clay started last week against Illinois and remains No. 1 on the depth chart. The Badgers also should get some help along the offensive line, as tackle Gabe Carimi and guard Kraig Urbik returned from knee injuries. A source told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the starting offensive line might be shuffled, with Urbik moving to right tackle and Eric Vanden Heuvel moving from right tackle to left tackle.

2. Illinois — Head coach Ron Zook hinted at changes earlier this season, and he did it again after the Illini fell last Saturday at Wisconsin. Zook was still peeved after Monday’s practice, telling reporters, “You got any ideas? Everybody seems to have ideas. I’ll take them all. Here’s the deal. We’ll be ready to go. Yeah, I’m a little bit feisty right now. I don’t have an answer for you. I wish I had an answer. I’d give it to you.” This week’s depth chart doesn’t reflect many changes, but Illinois is looking for more help at outside linebacker to flank Brit Miller. Expect the rotation to increase at both linebacker and safety on Saturday against Iowa (ABC, 2:30 p.m. ET).

3. Northwestern – The Wildcats could feature a new starting offensive backfield and a different approach on offense Saturday at No. 17 Minnesota (ESPN2, noon ET). Junior quarterback Mike Kafka, who could start in place of injured starter C.J. Bacher, is more of a rushing threat who ran the option when he started four games as a true freshman. Though Bacher injured his leg on a 10-yard run against Indiana, Northwestern won’t hesitate to have its quarterback on the move against the Gophers. “Every spread offense in the country I’m watching runs the quarterback,” head coach Pat Fitzgerald said. “It’s an element of the offense and it’s an inherent risk. That’s why you recruit and get your other guys ready in case something ever does happen.” Northwestern has been plagued by turnovers this season, so the game plan might be more conservative for Kafka, emphasizing the option and his strengths.

4. Purdue – Quarterbacks Curtis Painter and Justin Siller have different styles and strengths, but coach Joe Tiller expects to have a similar package on offense no matter who starts Saturday against Michigan. Painter sustained a mild separation of his throwing shoulder last Saturday and could miss the game. He has practiced sparingly this week. Siller has been alternating between running back and quarterback this season, and he would give the Boilers more of a rushing threat. “There are differences in the sense that, you know, Justin is not the prototype drop-back guy, though he can throw the drop-back routes and he has,” Tiller said. “This week we’ll be closer to having a similar package for the two of them because [Siller will] have another week back into the offense.”

5. Michigan State – As opposing defenses focus on stopping running back Javon Ringer, the Spartans are extending their passing attack and increasing their depth at the wide receiver position. Sophomore Blair White ignited for 143 receiving yards and a touchdown last Saturday against Michigan, and true freshman Keshawn Martin is gradually claiming a greater role. With Deon Curry limited by a back injury, Michigan State has looked to other wideouts to step up. “We have more depth this year than we had last year,” head coach Mark Dantonio said. “We really have six, eight guys, that are functional.”

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Wisconsin RB competition opens up this week

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

Wisconsin running back John Clay made his first career start against Illinois, and the redshirt freshman could remain in the top spot this week at No. 21 Michigan State.

Clay started in place of junior P.J. Hill, who had been battling a lower leg injury, and had 88 rushing yards on 25 carries in a 27-17 victory, Wisconsin’s first in Big Ten play. Hill finished with only three carries in the game, while Zach Brown had five carries for 24 yards.

Head coach Bret Bielema lists Clay as the No. 1 running back on this week’s depth chart but said Hill and Brown will be in the mix against the Spartans. Clay and Brown took most of the reps last week at practice before Hill, a three-year starter, was cleared last Wednesday.

“P.J. practiced on Sunday and there shouldn’t be any reason he wouldn’t be able to be out there all this week,” Bielema said today. “We’ll just figure out the best combination to move forward and make a determination by Wednesday or Thursday.

“It may even come down to what the play is and where we are on the field, to be quite honest, with the three running backs and the things that all three show.”

Bielema said H-back/tight end Travis Beckum could be running by the end of January after undergoing season-ending surgery Saturday night to repair a fractured fibula. Despite an injury-plagued season, Beckum remains a top NFL prospect.

“Travis has gone through a range of emotions, Bielema said. “He has gotten better by the hour as far as his spirits.”

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