Bowling Badgers Back in Business Behind Bulldozing Back

Wisconsin was busy on the ground and efficient with the pass in Orlando’s Champs Sports Bowl Tuesday night. The Big 10 leading rusher and offensive player of the year, John Clay, accumulated 121 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead the Badgers to their tenth win of the season. Twenty-fourth ranked Wisconsin bowled over the 14th ranked Miami Hurricanes 20-14 on a cold and soggy Citrus Bowl turf. The Badgers beat Miami with a balanced offensive attack. Wisconsin quarterback, Scott Tolzien, threw a career-high 260 yards in the win. Tolzien was 19-of-26 with one interception and Clay punched out two three-yard rushing touchdowns.
The Badgers’ offensive line controlled the Miami defense early on, but struggled to contain the speedy Hurricane backfield. Junior running back, Graig Cooper, was solid for Miami in the first quarter. Cooper followed a Miami penalty with a touchdown in the first minute of the game. Sam Shields took a lateral on the opening kickoff and zipped to the Wisconsin six yard line. An illegal block cost the ‘Canes ten yards, but Cooper found the end zone as Miami jumped out to a 7-0 lead. Tolzien handed off the Clay on six of the eight plays during the Badgers’ first drive. Miami stuffed the rusher and forced Wisconsin to punt. Clay put the Badgers on the board midway through the first quarter with the first of his two rushing touchdowns. The Big 10 representatives needed just three plays to score their first seven points. Tolzien’s toss to Lance Hendricks for a 37 yard gain set up Clay’s three yard run.
The game remained tied 7-7 moving into the second quarter, when the Badger defense really started to click. The Hurricanes couldn’t piece it together on offense as Jacory Harris was continually pressured. Harris was sacked, and ‘Canes rushed for two consecutive losses on their first possession of the second quarter. Senior lineman, O’Brien Schofield, sacked Harris twice in straight possessions. Linebacker, Chris Borland, also took credit for two of Wisconsin’s five sacks. Borland was named conference freshman of the year. The once-hailed Miami quarterback looked entirely lost in Orlando against a Big 10 defense that hasn’t lived up to their primetime status as of late. Harris finished with 188 yards and completed 16-of-29 passes for 9-4 Miami. Harris was an inviting target for Wisconsin the remainder of the night.
The defense wasn’t much better for Miami in the second quarter. There were missed tackles and poor blocking by the ACC powerhouse. The Badgers thrived on running and throwing on play-action. Clay recorded seven of the ten second quarter points for Wisconsin. Philip Welch tallied the remaining three with .12 second left before the break. Welch’s kick through the uprights from 37 yards gave the Badgers a 17-7 lead heading into the halftime locker room. The Badgers came away empty on a four and a half minute drive to open the second half. Yet, Wisconsin kept grinding as the Hurricanes were spinning out of control on both ends. Miami’s meltdown wasn’t helped by an inconsistent and unproductive Harris. The ‘Canes had little success moving the ball. Harris’s longest completion was to sophomore wideout, Tommy Streeter. Streeter’s 47 yard reception in the third was his only of the game, but went for naught. Miami flopped when they went for it on fourth-and-four from the Badger 35 yard line. Wisconsin took over on downs, but also failed to score.
The fourth quarter scoring was scarce until the clock read four minutes. Welch knocked in Wisconsin’s second field goal to put the Badgers on top by 13. Welch connected from 29 yards out to provide what seemed like a commanding lead. The Hurricanes took a critical step in coming back on the ensuing possession. Harris dictated the tempo for the ‘Canes, going 79 yards on 10 plays. The result was a 14 yard touchdown pass to Thearon Collier with 1:22 left in the game. Miami was within six points of tying the score when the recovered the onside kick. Schofield sacked Harris for the third time on Miami’s own 41 yard line, and nearly threw a pick on the second play of the drive to kill the rally. The Badgers took over with .42 seconds remaining to run out the clock on the bowl game and secure their first ten win season since 2006. Wisconsin limited the dynamic Miami offense to 249 yards. Defensive end, J.J. Watt, recovered a Harris fumble, and Micanor Regis snagged an interception in the win. Montee Ball added 61 yards rushing to complement Clay’s tremendous game.

Parting Points: Song of the day- Madonna’s : “Take A Bow”.

Take Two

There will be a Big East football game played tonight between the Bulls of South Florida and Pittsburgh’s Panthers. USF quarterback, Matt Grothe, leads the conference with eight touchdown passes for one of college football’s most versatile offenses. The Bulls like to spread the ball and rely heavily on the pass. A grueling defense is one of the team’s finest features as well. Although the Bulls haven’t faced very competitive teams, their defense has limited opponents to few scoring opportunities.
The Pittsburgh Panthers have won three straight games, topped by last week’s smashing of Syracuse. (Well, they only won by ten points after a late great comeback.) Running back, LeSean McCoy was one of the nation’s best rushers in 2007. He’s yet to take off this season and will be tested against a tough South Florida team. However, the Bulls may be without a few of their key defensive stars due to injury. Leading tackle, George Selvie, was hurt in last week’s win over NC State. Dave Wannstedt’s Panther defense will need to control Grothe and company tonight. If the Pittsburgh defense can regulate the rush and keep the Bull offense off the field, this could be a close game. If USF dominates time of possession, the Panthers could be in for a long night. South Florida is the favorite, ranked number 10 in the country and expected to take the early Big East lead. As it stands today, Pittsburgh is number one in the Big East. Don’t underestimate this Panther team or count them out just yet.


Setting: Saturday, October 4, 2008
Camp Randall in Madison, Wisconsin at night

The setting says so much. One would think Badgers are nocturnal because the ones who play in Wisconsin thrive during night games. The team has won 21 of 22 night games in school history. They are expecting the 22nd win when Ohio State visits this Saturday evening. Both OSU and Wisconsin are ranked teams so I am looking forward to the game. Big Ten football is enticing enough, but when two defensively-minded teams converge, colossal entertainment ensues.
Last season Ohio State as the victor but that was without top Badger, P.J. Hill. The junior running back is a one man show. I think he will make an excellent NFL back if he can stay healthy. The Badgers are known for their strong defense and no one is better than defensive end, O’Brien Schofield. The OSU wide receiving core needs to find open routes. We all know Terrelle Pryor can run and now that Beanie Wells is back, I can’t wait to see them against a hard hitting Big Ten team. The Buckeyes are starting a freshmen at center in Michael Brewster. Brewster’s play during Saturday night could indicate what kind of ability he has. The pressure of playing on the road, at night during a nationally-televised game will be hard for this entire OSU team. But, Tressell will have them well-prepared.
The Badgers are coming off an ugly loss in Michigan. They only scored once during the second half. Quarterback, Allan Evridge, had trouble finding open men and playing in the Big House. I was surprised they looked so vulnerable against the Wolverines. The team also nearly lost to Fresno State, pulling out a three point win. Head coach, Bret Bielema, would probably like to forget that Michigan loss and start the winning against the Buckeyes. The Ohio State defensive line needs to pressure the run-oriented Badgers. Cameron Heyward can make an instant impact at tackle to slow the hungry Badger boys.
All in all, the game should be fun and intense. Personally, I prefer pulling for OSU but am holding out on a prediction.

Parting points: The Devils shut out the Islanders last night. I am convinced the Cubs are cursed after all. And, I actually think I would rather see Alan Houston than Stephon Marbury playing for the Knicks this year.