Camp Randall Fanatic

Badgers Hire Matt Canada as Tight End Coach

2012-02-08T09:12:00.000-08:00

Newly appointed tight end coordinator Matt Canada brought along some top-shelf coaching talent from Northern Illinois. This move will certainly help Wisconsin's Bret Bielema round out his coaching staff roster for 2012. Eddie Faulkner came along with Canada and played for Wisconsin in the late nineties. He served under Canada as his tight end coach at NI, and will fill the same position at Madison next year.

Faulkner just couldn't pass up the opportunity to be back at his alma mater. He passed on a similar offer from Pittsburgh. During his college years, Faulkner rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored seven touchdowns while serving on two Big Ten championship teams. In 2001 he signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but found his way to the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. That was the extent of his short professional career.

The call to coach at the college level seemed to be the right fit for Faulkner. The majority of his coaching experience came at Ball State, where he served eight seasons at various positions. From 2003 to 2010, he climbed the ladder of coaching hierarchy, going from a graduate assistant to running backs and special teams coach. His highest coaching position was offensive coordinator at Ball State.

Bielema has hired six new coaching staff member this off-season, the last being Faulkner.

2012 Badgers Football Hires

• Matt Canada (Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach)
• Zach Azzanni (Wide receivers coach)
• Andy Buh (Linebackers coach)
• Mike Markuson (Offensive line coach)
• Ben Strickland (Defensive backs and special teams assistant coach)

Badgers Jump Around versus Shout by the Ducks Fans

2012-01-04T14:33:00.000-08:00

Take solace Badger fans. It seemed to me that the sea of red at the Rose Bowl on Monday evening won the unofficial third quarter dance off. The Wisconsin Badgers may not have won the game, but their fans know that they are the best.

In recognition of the mutual end of the third quarter chants that both organizations have become so known for - Wisconsin's “Jump Around” and Oregon's “Shout” - a cheering battle ensued between the supporters in the stands. Players stopped to watch before going back onto the field to begin the fourth quarter. And while at the end of the game Russell Wilson had a distant stare on his face, at that moment between quarters he must have been smiling.

If he takes one thing away from his single year experience at Wisconsin, let it be the other win that happened in Pasadena that night. The Badgers will now look to the future for their new starting quarterback, and fans will wonder if that person can lead the team to a Rose Bowl victory.

Paul Chryst Moves on to Pittsburgh

2011-12-28T10:27:00.000-08:00

Along with a new conference; Pittsburgh is also ringing in the New Year with a new head coach of their football team. Paul Chryst, who has been involved with the Wisconsin program as an offensive coordinator for nearly ten years, will be in the booth for Brett Bielema for the last time during the upcoming Rose Bowl. After multiple interviews with other organizations, ranging from Texas to Illinois, Chryst decided it was time to leave the Midwest, and triple his current salary on the east coast.
Earlier in the year it looked as though Pitt had all-but made up its mind to hire Florida International offensive coordinator Mario Cristobal. Their interest in Chryst was only sparked last week when spectacular reviews came in from Barry Alvarez, the Badgers athletic director, and Bo Ryan, the university's head basketball coach. A Pittsburgh spokesperson described Chryst as a more viable long-term candidate then Cristobal, and the school's final decision was based on that merit.

Chryst's track record with Wisconsin was also a likely incentive for the interviewers at Pitt. Under Chryst the Badgers have broken their season scoring average twice, once in 2005 and again in 2010. He has kept the Badgers as one of the top five most scoring teams in the country for two years in a row. One of his most attractive abilities, especially to a school in rebuild mode like Pittsburgh, is his outstanding direction of first year quarterbacks. Chryst has worked with John Stocco, Tyler Donovan, Scott Tolzien and, most recently, Russell Wilson. Under Chryst's direction, Wilson is second in the nation for passing efficiency, and fourth in completion percentage. Assuming Wilson's numbers don't nose-dive against the Ducks; those would both break school records.

Badgers Wisch Chryst Well

Bielema and the Badgers had only kind words to say about their soon-to-be former offensive coordinator. The head coach was recently asked if Chryst would be allowed to coach in the January second Rose Bowl against Oregon. The impending departure of a major face in the organization right before a bowl is something that the Badgers have faced before. Indeed just a year ago, a few weeks before Wisconsin's first shot at a Rose Bowl in over a decade, the Badgers lost defensive coordinator Dave Doeren to the head coaching position at Northern Illinois.

One thing that may yank Bielema's chain is the possibility that Chryst will attempt to bring a few other UW staff with him out east. With the Panther's moving from the Big East conference to the Atlantic Coast, the organization is looking for a complete overhaul of personnel. A silent competition has already broke-out between the two counterparts as they have each expressed interest in either promoting, in Bielema's case, or transferring, in Chryst's, two of the Badgers position coaches. Offensive line coach Bob Bostad and tight end coach Joe Rudolph are both prospects that could step up and take the spot vacated by Chryst, but an interest in following Chryst to Pittsburgh hasn't been ruled out.

Badgers Quarterback Russell Wilson Breaks School Records

2011-12-19T07:15:00.000-08:00

As the Wisconsin Badgers football team prepares for its second consecutive trip to the Rose Bowl, fans need to thank a key player in that effort. It was only six short months ago that quarterback Russell Wilson made the decision to forget about his efforts related to minor league baseball, refused an offer from Auburn, and jumped at the chance to play for Wisconsin. Wilson’s choice certainly wasn't an easy one, but it paid off for not only him, but the entire Badger organization. Whether his career with the team ends in a Rose Bowl crown or not, Wilson has already earned himself a multitude of honors, including the first ever Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year award.

As of now, Wilson has already broken the Badgers all-time touchdown passing record with twenty-eight, seven better than John Stocco's previous mark. In Pasadena, he will have the chance to crack two other school records: One for all-time passing yards, and the best completion percentage. His 191.6 average passer rating is also one of the best in the history of the NCAA.

We all recognize that Russell Wilson could be considered to be a “hired gun,” but all us Badgers fans are still grateful for the work he did this past season. Who will take the reins in 2012 is anybody’s guess. For now, the focus is on winning the Rose Bowl.

Russell Wilson's 2010-2011 season stats:

 2,879 passing yards

 72.5 completion percentage

 21.8 attempts per game

 221.5 yards per game

 456 running yards

 5 running touchdowns

 first team All-Big Ten

 Grange-Griffin MVP Award

Badgers Fans Head to Rose Bowl in Pasadena

2011-12-14T09:49:00.000-08:00

How many Badgers football fans will be in attendance at the Rose Bowl? It seemed like half the stadium was filled with Badger red. How do all those people get to California? Do they all come from Wisconsin? Somehow it all comes together, and Bucky is well represented at any bowl game.

Badgers Fans Fill Airplanes Heading to Pasadena

I did a quick check of flights to the Pasadena area for December 30. If you head out to Los Angeles from Milwaukee, it will set you back at least $630 per person. Direct flights run around $800, and are filling up fast. Fly out of Madison, and you are looking at $773 per person, non-stop. I would assume that the hotel situation is find, considering the fact that Los Angeles is huge. Keep in mind that you will need a rental car for your Badgers weekend. Grab a hotel near the airport, and you will be driving 25 miles each way to the Rose Bowl. That will set you back nearly $2000 for the entire weekend. If you love the Badgers, is that too much to spend? Better deals are found when you book with a travel agent. Those packages are drying up, but I'm seeing packages that include a Rose Bowl game ticket starting at $2400 per person.

Who knows when our Badgers will once again head to the Rose Bowl. Will the weather be warm? It will certainly be warmer than New Year's Day in Milwaukee or Madison. Travel safe, Badgers fans.

Badgers Win Big Ten Championship

2011-12-05T11:05:00.000-08:00

The Wisconsin Badgers saw a chance for redemption this weekend in the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game against Michigan State. As usual, Badgers quarterback Russell Wilson and running back Montee Ball made for an explosive duo which the Spartans defense couldn't stop. Wilson completed seventeen passes for 187 yards and three touchdowns. In his first touchdown pass of the night, he set an NCAA record for scoring in thirty-seven consecutive games. Meanwhile, Montee Ball continued to chase Barry Sanders NCAA single season scoring record of thirty-nine. The running back added four touchdowns on Saturday to make a total of thirty-eight for the year. If he can score at least two in the team's return trip to the Rose Bowl, he will claim the title for himself.

Wisconsin jumped out to an early lead, capping an eighty-one yard drive with a touchdown pass to Jeff Duckworth, to make it 7-0. The Spartans answered on their first drive, tying the game with an eight-yard touchdown run.

In a repeat from an earlier game, the Badgers moved the ball into the red zone on trick play involving Wilson and Ball trading positions. They scored on their second drive, forced a turnover, scored yet again, and felt good about their 14 point cushion before the end of the quarter. Michigan State would cut into the deficit early in the second, and shut down Wisconsin for just over two quarters, going up by as much as eight.

Spartans Take Over in Big Ten Championship

Wisconsin was on their heels from the second quarter on. B.J. Cunningham gave up big yards on a few key plays. Michigan State’s defense forced the Badgers to go three and out a number of times. To add insult to injury, the Spartans drove the ball with authority during their 22-0 run. The Badgers were held to negative yardage during that spectacular Spartans run.

The last few minutes of regulation turned into a time of possession battle, as the Spartans attempted to get into field goal range. A booth review overturned what would have been a third-down conversion and Michigan State chose to punt on fourth. After another three-and-out by Wisconsin, it looked like Michigan State would get another crack at evening the score. The Badgers lined up, punted, and then watched Michigan State return the ball inside the ten yard line. It looked like the Spartans would get a shot at the victory, but safety Isaiah Lewis went for the block, and ended up running into kicker Brad Nortman. The penalty resulted in an automatic first down, and allowed the Badgers to run out the clock.

Camp Randall Site of Badgers Win Against Penn State

2011-11-30T13:52:00.000-08:00

The Wisconsin Badgers rolled over Penn State last weekend in a victory that sends them to the Big Ten Title game. Penn State was hoping, in the midst of the ongoing sexual scandal, to find some solace in a win over the Badgers, but Wisconsin running back Montee Ball and quarterback Russell Wilson had other plans.

Just weeks after setting a school and conference record for most touchdowns in a single season, Ball added four to his tally against the Nittany Lions. He now has his eyes on the NCAA single season touchdown record set by Barry Sanders in 1988. The junior would need another six before the end of the year to break it. Ball had twenty-five carries and finished the day with 156 yards during Wisconsin's 45-7 domination.

Penn State took an early lead after getting lucky off of a Badger penalty on fourth down. Nittany Lions quarterback Matt McGloin found Curtis Drake a few plays later in broken coverage for a forty-four yard touchdown pass. That would be McGloin's only pass resulting in a score all day as Wisconsin came back hard to deliver forty-five unanswered points.

Russell Wilson Took Command Early

Wilson threw one of his two touchdowns for the day on the following drive as the Badgers went seventy-six yards to tie the game at seven. The second would come early in the third after a fumbled kick-off by Penn State would result in a four-yard pass to Nick Toon. Wilson would end the game with 186 yards through the air.

A Shelton Johnson interception in the second quarter would give Ball a chance at his first points of the day. After a fifty-yard drive down field, Ball would run for a one-yard touchdown to break the tie. He would go on to score more than half of Wisconsin's points with pair of short runs from within the five, then another two from farther out. His final score of the day was his longest as he went eighteen yards at the end of the third to make it 42-7.

Wisconsin Moves Up in College Football Rankings

2011-11-24T06:18:00.000-08:00

The Wisconsin Badgers football team continues its rise back into the top ten. This week, the team moved up another spot in the AP college rankings following their win against Illinois. The Badgers were slotted as high as number four in the country before giving up two consecutive games. There is still hope for an invitation to the Rose Bowl, but the Badgers have to win out the rest of the season, which is just one more game at home against Penn State.

Penn State comes to Camp Randall on November 26. Kickoff is set for 2:30, and this is sure to be the biggest game of the season. Penn State comes to Madison with the same record as the Badgers. Both teams are fighting for a solid bowl opportunity.

Top 25 College Football Rankings as of November 21:

1. LSU
2. Alabama
3. Arkansas
4. Virginia Tech
5. Stanford
6. Oklahoma State
7. Houston
8. Boise State
9. Oregon
10. Michigan State
11. Oklahoma
12. Wisconsin
13. South Carolina
14. Georgia
15. Kansas State
16. Michigan
17. Clemson
18. TCU
19. Penn State
20. Baylor
21. Georgia Tech
22. Nebraska
23. West Virginia
24. Notre Dame
25. Virginia

Montee Ball Sets Record at Camp Randall

2011-11-15T10:54:00.000-08:00

Montee Ball had a record breaking day over the weekend, as he claimed both the Big Ten and UW-Madison single season touchdown record. Ball ran for a touchdown on the team's first possession. Two touchdowns later, and he had taken the same title in the Big Ten. The Badgers rolled over conference rivals Minnesota on Saturday 42-13, bringing the coveted ax back to Wisconsin.

Ball did manage to take some pride in his accomplishments. Following his conference record breaking run, the junior back vice gripped the ball in both hands and walked off the field sporting a massive smile. He was allowed to keep the memento, and surely it will be residing with his parents.

Badgers Montee Ball Stats For 2011

Including this weekend, (in which Ball ran for 166 yards and three touchdowns,) the record setting running back has now rushed for over 1200 yards this season. With three games left to play, he has quite the opportunity to push his numbers even higher. We all remember the day when Ron Dayne broke the record for most rushing touchdowns in a career. That record still stands. For now, that record is safe.

Badgers Move Up in Rank after Crushing Purdue

2011-11-07T13:04:00.000-08:00

The Wisconsin Badgers football team made up part of their loss in rankings following the win against Purdue. In both the AP and BCS polls, the Badgers moved up at least two spots and now rest at eighteenth and sixteenth respectively.

Just two weeks ago, the team was ranked as high as fourth in the nation. After two consecutive losses to Michigan State and Ohio State, the team dropped over fifteen spots. Will the Badgers make it to the Rose Bowl once again? All hope is not lost, as long as they keep winning.

Week 10 NCAA Football Rankings:

1 - LSU
2 - Oklahoma State
3 - Alabama
4 - Stanford
5 - Boise State
6 - Oklahoma
7 - Oregon
8 - Arkansas
9 - Clemson
10 - Virginia Tech
11 - Houston
12 - Penn State
13 - South Carolina
14 - Kansas State
15 - Georgia
16 - Texas
17 - Michigan State
18 - Wisconsin
19 - Nebraska
20 - Auburn
21 - Georgia Tech
22 - Southern Miss
23 - Cincinnati
24 - Michigan
25 - Baylor

Noise Level at Camp Randall Raises Concerns

2011-10-25T10:43:00.000-07:00

Saturday afternoons are turning into weekly rock concerts for some Camp Randall neighbors. After the new “Badgerville” pregame celebration debuted early in October, Madison officials have been receiving a steady stream of complaints from houses around the festivities.

The complaints were more about the volume, than the music. The number of complaints since the October game against Nebraska has gone up quite a bit. City Council members felt that things have gotten bad enough to warrant multiple meetings with various university officials. Even Madison's mayor Paul Soglin, will be in attendance for some of those upcoming meetings.

No doubt that those talks will have some effect on the Badgers pregame festivities. The early morning marching band practices for instance, will likely be pushed back to a later time. The constant stream of music playing through the venue’s large PA system will be, (at least,) limited in volume. Camp Randall and its administrators are certainly going to address these complaints.

Big East Teams Will Not See TCU Join Ranks

2011-10-12T08:58:00.000-07:00

After months of speculation, Big East football fans are beginning to find out who will be joining the ranks. It started with a bit of bad news for those hoping that TCU, the team that beat the Badgers in the Rose Bowl, would be coming into the fold.

TCU announced that they would not be joining the Big-East. That really is a shame for both the team and the conference. TCU would have easily made the top echelon of Big-East football teams for years to come. Especially after their Rose Bowl win over the Badgers last season. The Texas university instead opted to join the more geographically logic Big-12. However, instead of being big fish in a small pond, they will now have to compete with the likes of OSU, Texas, and Baylor. Unless they pull off some stunning upsets, I see many years of mediocrity for TCU in the Big-12.

On a more positive note the Air Force and Boise State are heavily considering the option of joining the Big-East. In a sort of “gotcha back” moment for the conference, the Big-12 was also attempting to recruit Air Force but was denied. The folks from Idaho are the real prize though.

One would never consider the potato state to be an east coast entity, but their acceptance into the league only makes sense. The Broncos have maintained their domination of college football for the past five years, consistently being ranked in the top five. But, they don't play in a BCS conference. That means that despite being one of the most talented squads in the county they have to move mountains every year just to get a bowl bid. Their chances in the BCS computer system will greatly enhance following their inauguration into the Big-East.

Badgers Take Care of Cornhuskers at Camp Randall Stadium

2011-10-04T12:38:00.000-07:00

Some Badgers football fans were looking forward to a well contested conference game this past Saturday. Nebraska and Wisconsin hadn't met since 1974, both were 4-0, and we all felt that this would be a close one. This had all the makings of a budding Big Ten rivalry.

With Ohio State marred in scandal, Minnesota struggling, and no draw with Michigan this year, Wisconsin was looking for a new conference powerhouse to knock down. Bo Pelini and his boys were hoping to fill that void; Beilema and his Badgers weren't.

Badgers Football Team Impossible to Stop

The Badgers seem to be playing on another level when compared with Nebraska. Now fans are saying that it may have been their toughest challenge all year. That’s not such bad news for Badger fans, but if you were hoping for an exciting conference rivalry it doesn't look like it will happen anytime soon. With the 48-17 rout, Wisconsin proved that they control this conference.

Don't count the rivalry dead in the water however. Nebraska is still favored to win the Legends Division and could get a chance to avenge themselves against the Badgers in the conference championship game.

Russell Wilson Brings New Dimension to Badgers Football

2011-09-20T08:01:00.000-07:00

Lets break down Russell Wilson's stats for his first three games as a Badger. He led the team to a win against UNLV in week one, another home win versus Oregon State, and just this past weekend he had another stellar performance at Soldier Field.

In his first game as a Badger Wilson got all the attention. He ran for a spectacular 46-yard touchdown to highlight his day, but he didn't stop there. Wilson completed 10 of 13 in the air for 255 yards, including two touchdown passes. He rushed for 64-yards which certainly upped the respect he received from his counterparts after being elected captain. Ball, White, and Toon were the quarterbacks primary targets for the afternoon.

The Badgers easily handled Oregon State in week two. The shut out win saw Wilson throw three touchdowns and complete 17 of 21 for 189 yards.

In Chicago Wilson picked up where he had left off. Barring his first interception in a Wisconsin jersey, he repeated the show he had put on twice in front of the home crowd. He went 23 of 32 for 347 yards, as well as three touchdowns. He continued to surprise opposing defenses, in this case Northern Illinois, with his terrific foot speed. He carried the ball five times for 37 yards in the 49-7 win.

Skeptics doubted Wilson's ability to mesh with Wisconsin's run dominant offense, but by all accounts so far Wilson has taken the running game to a new level.

Look for the 600lb Bronze Badger at Camp Randall

2011-09-07T09:31:00.000-07:00

The Badgers are giving Nail's Tales a new companion outside of Camp Randall. Nail's Tales is – for those who haven't witnessed it – the controversial sculpture outside of the Badgers home field. On Thursday staff and the public unveiled a 600-pound bronze badger who stands outside the southeast entrance.

The Badgers snarling teeth made some people comment on his need for a dental check-up, but other said it represented the team’s ferocity. The statue was funded by the W Club, whose director Terry Murawski, got the idea from other stadium mascots. Murawski also said that in the old days, a handler would bring out a leashed badger during games but that stunt ended after the animal got loose more than once.

Badgers Football Stats and Numbers for 2010

2011-08-24T11:50:00.000-07:00

Calling all Badgers football statistics lovers, here’s a good one for you to savor on. Especially if you are Badgers fan, and even more so if you are a Brett Bielema groupie.

Some sports analysts say that to judge a football teams offensive quality simply look at their gains per play. A seldom thought about statistic that could help offensive coordinators greatly in the years to come. When we look at the Wisconsin Badgers yards per play, we see a team that, at least offensively, is on a positive track.

Looking at individual seasons the Badgers seem fairly average. In the 2010 season Hawaii, Boise State, Auburn, and Arkansas were only a few to beat the Badgers average of 6.7. The picture changes when you start to look at the seasons consecutively. When Bielema stepped up in 2006 the average was 5.6. It went up .1 every year until 2010 when it jumped nearly a full yard. In four years Bielema brought that number to the best it has been since 1990. The Badgers had only broken the 6.0 barrier once before in 1993. It looks like the 7.0 mark may be next.

Camp Randall Badger Football Family Fun Day

2011-08-18T08:05:00.000-07:00

On August 21 the Badger football team will welcome families of all shapes and sizes to Camp Randall for the annual Badger Football Family Fun Day.

Thousands of children and adults have taken part in event in the past, and this year should be no different. Head coach Brett Bielema will lead the festivities from three until five at Camp Randall. The focus will be on teaching kids the game but fun will also be provided for parents and other ages. Features on the program include pictures and autographs with coaches and players. Attendees to the free event will also receive a 2012 team poster.

Badgers versus Huskies at Soldier Field

2011-08-10T11:05:00.000-07:00

In very few college football statistics will you find the Wisconsin Badgers landing on the negative side. One such blemish is their performances at NFL stadiums. It isn't horrible at 5-7, but it was still enough to make this sports writer raise an eyebrow.

The team is hoping to add a victory to the win column of that stat next month. They will face the NIU Huskies at Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears. The last time the Badgers played at a neutral arena was also Brett Bielemas' coaching debut when they went up against Bowling Green in 2006. Wisconsin won that game 35-14 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Wisconsin Dominates NIU for the Past Decade

The Badgers have previously faced the Huskies a total of twelve times, all at Camp Randall. They have posted an 11-1 record in that time. The upcoming game will be the first against the Badgers former defensive coordinator Dave Doeren, who has been the NIU head coach since late 2010. The game has been scheduled for 2:30 on September 17. There will be no television coverage so get your Badgers tickets here if you want to see the game.

Camp Randall Not Likely To Serve Alcohol in the Near Future

2011-08-04T08:31:00.000-07:00

Would you like to sit down in the student section of Camp Randall with a nice frosty beer in your hand then spill it during “Jump Around”? I would too, but it's not going to happen.

Camp Randall does not allow alcohol sales within the walls of the most famous Big Ten Football venue. In the state with the highest consumption of alcohol in the country, you would think that beer sales at sporting events would be a given. Not so when it comes to college sports in Wisconsin.

Anybody who has ever been to a Badger football game on a Saturday afternoon knows that there is no lack of drinking outside the stadium. The bars along Regent street offer $1 shots and beers, most tailgating parties have at least two kegs or a full bar set up on a picnic table. Come game time, hoards of intoxicated 20-somethings come rushing through the gates. Many of these kids don't remember the final score of the game. Some end up in the drunk tank.

Binge Drinking at Badgers Football Games

Many patrons view the binge drinking that takes place prior to Badgers games as a problem. People are well aware that they will be beer-less for at least three hours and feel compelled to consume too much booze before they walk into Camp Randall.

The same issues were cropping up at West Virginia football games, (Ironically, the state with the lowest alcohol consumption.) The Mountaineers athletic director Oliver Luck proposed a plan to allow beer sales inside Milan Puskar Stadium. His logic presumed that less binge drinking would take place before the game, because fans would now know that they could buy beer inside. The revenue from beer sales was also a great incentive. The W.V. board of directors approved the plan which will take affect this upcoming fall.

Wisconsin's athletic director refused to follow suit. Barry Alvarez swore that beer sales would never be allowed in Camp Randall. It wouldn't fit with the decor of the stadium anyway. Camp Randall doesn't allow alcohol advertisements on the grounds. Nonetheless, Alvarez did say that he was interested in seeing what the outcome of West Virginia's new policy is.

Barry Alvarez Part of Hall of Fame

2011-07-18T12:09:00.000-07:00

Barry Alvarez is the man who rescued the down trodden Wisconsin football program in 1990. He has now taken his place in the College Football Hall of Fame. He came to the organization with no prior head coaching experience in the NCAA. He left 15 years later with a 118-73 record, the most wins for a coach in school history.

Barry Alvarez was in South Bend, Indiana on Saturday to attend the interview session for 2011 inductees. With him were the likes of Desmond Howard, Mark Herrmann and Sam Cunningham. Alvarez, currently the AD at Wisconsin, led the Badgers to three Rose Bowl wins in a decade. That's just the beginning.

Alvarez's debut season was not to foreshadow his next 14 years with the Badgers. Though some argue that the team that came together that year went on to become the coach's best class of all-time. Wisconsin went 1-10 in 1990 but just three years later won the school's only second Rose Bowl ever. The team tore through the '93 season and put up a 10-1 record. They defeated the UCLA Bruins on New Year’s Day 1994 in their first appearance in the famous stadium since 1963.

Alvarez Leads Team to a Pair of Rose Bowl Games

In the following years Alvarez would take two more Rose Bowls, win the school’s first solo Big-Ten title in 38 years, and give the team its first ever 11-win season. He took over the Athletic Director position in 2004 and split his duties between the team and his new role. In 2005 he decided to retire from coaching but not before beating Auburn in the 2006 Capital One Bowl in his final game on the side lines. With that win he attained the best postseason record of any coach who participated in at least 11 Bowl games.

The forever enshrined head coach still has a lot of responsibilities to attend to as the athletic director but he deserves a little time off in Indiana after over 20 years of outstanding service to the university.

Rusell Wilson Is a Wild Card | Badgers Rebuild and Hope to Repeat

2011-07-13T07:51:00.000-07:00

It must be said that The Badgers have picked up one of the best college quarterbacks worthy of transferring for their senior year. Russell Wilson could step in and make a huge impact from game one. Yes, he has big shoes to fill, but the job is his to lose. He will now lead a team that was in the top five in scoring. They destroyed just about every Big Ten team, and it’s assured that those teams will be gunning for our Badgers.
The curve ball (pun intended) is that Wilson has not been playing very much football in the past year. He is a multi-sport player who happens to love baseball. He did have some interception issues in the past, and his height may be a hindrance. He will be backed up by three new starters on the line. All is not clear here. The Badgers have some holes to fill, and Wilson may come up as a bust if he does not have the protection he needs.

Badgers Acquire Russell Wilson from NC State

2011-06-27T11:25:00.000-07:00

The Badgers football team is seeing more than their fair share of commitments come from top level high school players this off season. Young talent is great, but the Badgers just got the node from one of their most sought after players. That would be Russell Wilson from North Carolina State.

Quarterback Russell Wilson divided his time at North Carolina State between football and baseball. His decision to play both sports went against the wishes of N.C. State's football head coach, Tom O'Brien. O'Brien failed to get Wilson to focus on football, so he benched the young athlete last season.

During his three years at North Carolina State, Wilson started on both the football and baseball teams, and earned his degree. He requested a release from school’s athletic program after being denied the starting quarterback spot for the 2011 season. As he rode the bench, he was drafted by the Rockies in the 2010. He currently holds a spot on the Rockies Asheville team. Reports suggest that the Rockies are not happy with his possible return to college football. A source close to Wilson stated that his current commitment with the Rockies will not get in the way of things, should he decide to play one more season of college football.

Kyle Dodson To Play for Badgers in 2011

2011-06-22T07:06:00.000-07:00

The Badgers are in no shortage of potential recruits this off-season. That tends to happen when you make it to the Rose Bowl. This week, Wisconsin got a commitment from Ohio prep standout Kyle Dodson. The lineman turned down Ohio State in favor for the UW, and that's wonderful news for Brett Bielema.

Dodson is a “four star” recruit. They also received a verbal commitment from Wisconsin Rapids native Vince Biegel. Biegel is regarded as the top junior linebacker in the state. He was named the first junior captain at Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln, and was awarded first-team all-conference, all-region and all-state honors. There is little doubt that the attraction for these athletes to head to Wisconsin is the coaching style of Bielema, and the fact that the Badgers made it to the Rose Bowl in 2010.

Nick Toon Speaks to the Media and Violates NCAA Rules in the Process

2011-06-13T13:41:00.000-07:00

The University of Wisconsin unknowingly committed a (slightly humorous) NCAA infraction last week. According to the NCAA Division I manual: When a recruited player visits a university, that institution can do no more than publicly declare a confirmation of the recruitment effort. Apparently Badgers wide receiver Nick Toon didn't read that part of the manual.

Last Tuesday and Wednesday former North Carolina State quarterback Russell Wilson visited Madison. Wilson was red-shirted in 2007 as a freshman. He is now eligible to start play immediately at another university. Wilson also visited Auburn earlier in the month, but it seems that Wisconsin will be his ultimate destination.

After his visit, the university repeatedly declined to comment on any details, per NCAA rules. Nick Toon was more than willing to cooperate with the media. Toon was spotted at the WIAA state team tennis tournament by a TV reporter who asked about Wilson's recruitment. Toon gave polite, well rounded albeit formulaic answers. Unbeknownst to the Badgers star he was violating bylaw 13.10.2 of NCAA rules. The infraction is minor and will result in a small fine. It shouldn't delay Wilson's transfer process.

Scott Tolzien Wins Big Ten Sportsmanship Award

2011-06-06T08:52:00.000-07:00

Last week, senior Scott Tolzien was recognized for his accomplishments on and off the field. The University of Wisconsin quarterback was awarded the Big 10 Sportsmanship Award for the 2010-2011 season. Meghan Duggan, a senior hockey player at UW–Wisconsin was also recognized.

22 other student athletes also won the award. Officially titled the Outstanding Sportsmanship Award, the winners were chosen from a group of 276 conference athletes who maintained a good academic standing and displayed superior sportsmanship. The nominees were chosen by their respective institutions as representatives of their varsity sports team. Two players from every team were chosen by the universities to be nominated.

Tolzien led the Badgers to a co-Big 10 championship, finished with an 11-2 season, and a trip to the Rose Bowl. He maintained a GPA that was above what is expected of athletes. The award also recognizes his behavior at Camp Randall during games and on the campus during his years as a student.

Wisconsin Football Foundation Awards

2011-05-20T13:18:00.000-07:00

A few weekends ago Camp Randall played host for Wisconsin Football Foundation (WFF) as it recognized the top 11 high school football-scholar athletes in the state. The 11 nominated athletes were invited to attend the spring Red vs. White game at Camp Randall. They were introduced to the crowd during half-time and were treated to a luncheon in their honor following the game.

The WFF allowed one nomination from every high school in the state. Nominations came in the form of letters of recommendation from teachers and head coaches; also a personal statement from the student was required. The WFF selected the 11 players from the hundreds of nominations to come to Madison for the ceremonies. They then selected three of those 11 to receive scholarships for college. To date the WFF has awarded over $48,000 in scholarships. The three that were given out were the All-Pro Lineman camp Scholarship to Janesville Parker's Tyler Brossard, the National Football Foundation Scholarship given to Hayward's Benjamin Rasmussen and finally the George H. Chryst Memorial Scholarship which went to Bonduel's Benjamin Tauchen.

Eight WFF honorees
• Tyler Dobratz of Edgerton
• Alex Erickson of Darlington
• Williams Greisch III of Appleton North
• Dakota Heidmann of Edgar
• Julius Hill of Madison West
• Matt Losiniecki of Waukesha West
• Chad Mazur of Reedsburg
• Corey Tallier of Gilman

Past NFF scholar athletes have achieved success around the state. Two notables would be Scott Tolzien and Josh Wittman. Tolzien, the Badger quarterback, won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award in 2010 and led Wisconsin to its first Big-10 title since 1999. Wittman, was recently named the Athletic Director at UW – LaCrosse.

Cornhuskers Come to the Badger State in 2011

2011-05-13T12:06:00.000-07:00

The Cornhuskers are making there way up to the Badger state for a mid-fall showdown. The game is slotted to be a prime time match up between the two Midwestern clubs and aired on ESPN. This will be the first time the two sides have met since 1974 when the Badgers walked away with a victory, 21-20.

Nebraska left the Big-12 conference amid a bit controversy. Nebraska fans felt very constricted to be in a conference that they claimed was dominated by the personal and financial interests of Texas. I have read many comments and opinions from Cornhusker fans that greatly appreciate the move from the 'dying' Big-12. Also seen in various blogs are comments that regularly refer to Big-12 commissioner Dan Beebe as 'idiotic' and 'moronic'.

Many fans also felt that the move would abandon various traditions of the school including timeless rivalries. In the end, it was a threat from Bebee to expel the team from the conference for accepting the invite from the Big-10 if they didn't retract it. That was the last straw for Nebraska Athletic Director Tom Osbourne. The chance to earn $15 million in additional revenue in the Big-10 made the decision to move a bit easier.

Cornhuskers Come to a Tough Conference in Big Ten

The Cornhuskers enter a tough conference, especially this year. Not only are they facing some of regularly highest ranked teams in the country, but also a Wisconsin team that is coming off an appearance at the Rose Bowl and a co-Big Ten Championship.

Wisconsin and the rest of the conference shouldn't underestimate the newcomer, however. Nebraska is returning eight starters on a defense that only allowed 17.2 points-per-game last season. On offense returning quarter back Taylor Martinez will lead a rushing line that was top ranked in the Big-12 last season.

The October 1st game is already receiving hype as a decisive game to watch. It will be a historic move in college football when Nebraska steps up to the stage at Camp Randall.

Camp Randall Bleachers Collapse in 1915

2011-05-06T13:51:00.000-07:00

Camp Randall has had a long and successful history as an athletic field of the University of Wisconsin Badgers. Aside from football, it’s been a venue for concerts, the occasional hockey game, and the home base for the Drum Core International competition. It also stands on the site of what could have been a tragic accident, going back to its early days as a sports venue.

Before war broke out between the states in the 1860s Camp Randall was owned by the Wisconsin Agricultural Society. The WAS used the grounds for its annual State Fair before moving the event to Milwaukee. When war became inevitable in 1861 the W.A.S. handed the land over to the government to conduct training exercises for over 70,000 troops of the Union Army. After peace returned to the nation, local veterans of the Civil War approached the Wisconsin legislature, offering up the land for purchase. The legislature agreed to purchase the property, and in 1893 the state passed the land over to the University as a memorial athletic field.

The site was used for track and field events primarily until the late 1800s when a football field was constructed in the northeast corner of the Camp. Designed for a capacity of 3,000 people the wooden bleachers were taking a beating from frequent use. The Daily Cardinal reported that although the seating was only meant for 3,000, as many as 15,000 attendees were often packing the bleachers and surrounding standing areas. In the fall of 1914 the original wooden bleachers were condemned and deemed unsafe for use. A grant proposal was submitted to the legislature for $40,000 to build a new stadium. A year later the proposal was finally granted, but only $20,000 of the original $40,000 were allocated. In mid-1915 the construction of the new stadium was underway.

Collapse of Bleachers Started with a Cracking Sound

Temporary bleachers were erected in the half finished stadium for the 1915 homecoming game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. A reported 15,000 spectators were in attendance. A few seconds into the 2nd half a loud crack signaled the start of the collapse. Suddenly on the west end of the stadium three one-hundred foot bleachers collapsed along with 1,800 people. As sportswriter Ring Lardner's eye witness account puts it “They was about 1,000 or maybe five thousand people in one of the cheering stands and all of a sudden it caved in somewhere and all the people was thrown on the ground. Some of 'em was hurt pretty bad too.” Amazingly, only minor injuries were reported, and the game continued 15 minutes later. An investigation into the cause revealed that the recent rain had caused the ground into which the bleacher's support stakes were planted to become unstable. As weight shifted back and forth the rear pegs released from the ground causing the structure to in effect tip over. The remaining $20,000 for the year old grant was then quickly allocated. This money and nearly $2,300 in donations greatly intensified the speed of construction for the new stadium, including solid concrete benches.

Gabe Carimi and the NFL Draft

2011-04-27T09:05:00.000-07:00

I see that Gabe Carimi is picked to go in the first round of the NFL draft. Unless something strange happens, he should go in the first 20 picks. Where will he land? That depends on which mock draft pick you follow. Bleacher Report writer Ryan Rudansky has him going to the Colts at #22. That same blog, but author Brandon Galvin has him going to Miami at #15. Adam Lazarus, once again writing for the Bleacher Report says Carimi is heading to the Chiefs with pick number 21. One thing is for sure, nobody has him above pick number 10. My guess is that he will go at #21.

Scott Tolzien Stats as a Wisconsin Badger

2011-04-15T09:29:00.000-07:00

Scott Tolzien would love nothing better than to be drafted into the NFL. This Big Ten quarterback had a great career, but he did play for a run-based team. If we take a look at his stats, we do see improvement as the seasons went on. He also proved that he had better ball control and "passing judgment' with each season.

Tolzien attempted only eight passes in 2008, so we should start with his first year as starter. In 2009, Scott started all thirteen games, including the Champs Sports Bowl. His two worst games were at Ohio State, and at home against Iowa. Those were both games where he threw multiple interceptions, and came up with zero touchdown passes. I guess that when you stink, you stink big. Still, Tolzien led the team to victory in the bowl game, finished the season with 16 touchdowns.

In 2010, Scott had better ball control, throwing only seven picks all year. He once again threw for sixteen touchdowns, and led the team to the Rose Bowl. Tolzien's passer rating for 2010 was just under 165, and he amassed 2400+ yards. At 6'-3", Scott has just enough height for the NFL. He might work as a back up on a team that is run heavy. We'll see if he gets picked up in this year's draft. My guess is yes.

Badgers Football Fans Look to the Next Quarterback

2011-04-06T07:24:00.000-07:00

Who will replace Scott Tolzien as Badgers quarterback? Jon Budmayr will most likely get the shot. Budmayer is a sophomore, a bit shorter than Tolzien, but a young man that has a very strong arm. He's passed a total of ten times last season. Yes, one of those passes was a 75 yard bomb that came late in a blowout game.

His Rivals ranking puts him at #17, with two Big Ten quarterbacks ahead of him. There are two other quarterbacks on the Badgers roster, but it's pretty much a lock that Budmayr will be the starter for 2011.

Camp Randall Last Stop for Crazylegs Classic 8K Run

2011-03-30T08:28:00.000-07:00

The Crazylegs classic is an 8k run that benefits UW Athletics, and is just one month away. Named after Elroy Hirsch, this run drew just over 20,000 participants last year. The race starts at the Madison Capitol, and ends right at the 50 yard line at Camp Randall Stadium. If you care to walk instead of run, your starting point is State and Mifflin streets. This race started nearly thirty years ago, and raised just under $10,000.

Wisconsin Badgers Fans Welcome Sam Arneson

2011-03-22T13:49:00.000-07:00

Sam Arneson signed a letter of intent to play for the UW Badgers football team last week. Arneson had already committed verbally, but it is now official. It didn't take much to convince Arneson to play for the Badgers. His father played for Wisconsin, Sam played his high school ball here in the Dairy State, and he dreamed of playing in Madison since he was a child. Arneson expects to play tight end for the Badgers.

J.J. Watt NFL Draft Pick Could Move Up to Number Ten

2011-03-05T11:10:00.001-08:00

The Miami Dolphins may be the team to pick J.J. Watt in the first round. Watt's successful showing at the NFL Combine may find him long gone before the New England Patriots get their first shot. Earlier thoughts on Watt were that he may drop to the second round, or perhaps be picked up 28th by the Pats. He may go as early as 15th by the Dolphins, or 11th by Houston, depending on which quarterbacks enter the draft. It's nice to be in demand.

Badgers Football Players at NFL Combine in 2011

2011-02-28T12:29:00.000-08:00

It's no surprise that we see more than a handful of Wisconsin Badgers football players at the 2011 NFL Combine. It's expected that at least one of the six former Badgers will make the cut and wind up with an NFL team. Some may be starters. Others will need to grow into their positions.

Current Wisconsin Badgers at the NFL Combine

Of the half-dozen players getting a look, J.J. Watt has the best chance to be drafted. From there, we may see one or two more players on an NFL roster in 2011.

John Moffitt is considered to be one of the top five prospects at his position. Mike Pouncey is most likely to be picked ahead of Moffitt.
Gabe Carimi is a top notch tackle, and stands among the likes of Tyron Smith, an underclassman that is sure to be picked up.
J.J. Watt should go in the first round of the NFL draft.
Lance Kendricks is a top pick tight end. He is compared to Kyle Rudoph of Notre Dame.
Scott Tolzien is not considered to be a top draft pick in this draft, but he hopes to get picked up by an NFL team in 2011. At 6'2", Tolzien is a bit short, but he improved his play during his senior year.

It's not a lock for any of these players, but it would be great to see a few of these seniors in a pro uniform next year. Meanwhile, Bret Bielema will have his work cut out for him, as he looks to his younger players to step up and fill the shoes of those seniors.

JJ Watt a New England Patriot?

2011-02-23T11:39:00.000-08:00

Would JJ Watt fit in with the New England Patriots? It goes without saying that he would love to play for an NFL contender, and the Patriots are one team that always seems to be in the playoff picture. Do the Patriots have a good shot at picking him up? With New England owning two picks in the first round, you have to think that he may go their way.

The Patriots are in dire need of a pass rusher. Watt may fit the bill. Some say he's a few adjustments away from making the NFL.

JJ Watt's Strengths and Weaknesses in the Eyes of the NFL

At 6'6" Watt has the height, and certainly batted down a number of balls in his college career. At just under 300lbs, he's not going to see too much pressure to bulk up, aside from strength.
His play was so solid for the Wisconsin Badgers that he's most likely to make a difference in his rookie season on any NFL team.
Watt was a player that others looked up to. The Patriots like that mental strength.

On the down side, he does fall for the option play. Rarely, do we see pro teams run the option. It's more about going up against NFL strength and speed.
Despite his size, he needs to get stronger. Adding another 15-20lbs of muscle would do him well in the pros.

JJ Watt is most likely going in the first round. If he moves up to a top ten pick, New England will be out of luck. He may not be needed at Carolina, but he's certainly going to get a look from teams like Arizona and San Francisco.

Badgers Running Back Coach Moves to NFL and Carolina Panthers

2011-02-09T12:54:00.000-08:00

Is John Settle the key to the powerful Badgers running game? We will find out next year, as this running back coach has now moved on to work for the Carolina Panthers. It would seem to be a good fit for Settle, as he will now be closer to his roots. Settle was instrumental in the development of young talent at Wisconsin. Settle came to Wisconsin in 2006.

Will Lance Kendricks Make the NFL?

2011-02-02T10:09:00.001-08:00

Lance Kendricks was not a first string player when he walked onto the Badgers campus back in 2006. By the end of this 2010 season, Kendricks would be named First Team All American, and lead the Badgers in receptions. Will he make the NFL? Most scouts say yes. He may not make it in the first couple of rounds, but he should go by round five.

Iowa Hawkeyes Players Hospitalized for Kidney Condition

2011-01-26T07:36:00.000-08:00

It's the off season, so why did a dozen Iowa Hawkeyes players wind up in the hospital? They over exercised. I wonder how the parents of these players felt when they heard the news that their son was in the hospital for being pushed too far physically? The Big Ten football season is just six short months away, and those kids needed this. Right.

Someone needs to sit that assistant coach or trainer down (if this was something that a trainer or coach demanded of his players,) and examine his head. According to SBNation, Gary Barta released a statement: "Our number one concern is the safety of our student-athletes..."

This 100 squat exercise left the boys puking and pissing blood. Again, we are months away from the first 2011 game. What is the point of this exercise?

College Coach of the Year Awards | Bielema as a Finalist

2011-01-12T11:18:00.000-08:00

Bret Bielema made it as a finalist for college coach of the year, but the honor goes to Chip Kelley. After Oregon made it to the BCS Championship at 12-0, I guess it should come as no surprise. This accomplishment was achieved without their starting quarterback. Oregon didn't win the game, but certainly put up a good fight.

Badgers Rose Bowl Defeat Hard to Take

2011-01-05T07:48:00.000-08:00

Let's just say that the TCU Horned Frogs are for real. They proved that in the Rose Bowl this past Sunday. The Badgers came within a two point conversion of tying the game late, but for some crazy reason the play called was a five wide set up, not a run.

The Badgers offensive line didn't wear down the TCU defense. TCU's quarterback option plays kept J.J. Watt guessing all night long. Just a couple of plays made the difference in the game. When the Badgers couldn't get six early, and settled for a field goal, and when the second field goal by the Badgers kicker went wide left, it came back to bite the team in the butt.

The Big Ten teams didn't do so well in bowl games this year. Ohio State managed to pull off a win last night, but under a cloud of NCAA violations. The Badgers had a great season, and I look forward to what the team will do next fall.

Camp Randall Used For NFL Games in the Past

2010-12-29T08:18:00.000-08:00

After watching the Vikings play at the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium, I wondered if Camp Randall would have been a better choice for the game. After all, Camp Randall has better field conditions, and bathrooms that can handle cold weather. The game was played at a Big Ten facility in Minnesota, and that kept the revenue in the hands of the Vikings. That was certainly a factor for keeping it local.

The Packers have played games at Camp Randall, but only in preseason. The field is warm, and safe at that time. Still, there was grumbling from the players that artificial turf is harder on the joints. Camp Randall was one of the very first stadiums in the nation to change over from real grass to fake. That doesn't mean that they have a hard, nasty surface for the players. They installed the now famous "Field Turf" in 2003.

TCU Will Challenge Bret Bielema and the Badgers in Pasadena

2010-12-22T08:23:00.000-08:00

We could see some confusion on the part of the Badgers defense early in the Rose Bowl. Bret Bielema might have to make some serious adjustments during the game. TCU didn't make it to the Rose Bowl on their defense alone.

People talk big time about the Badgers and their powerful run game. They speak less of the passing game, which is respectable, but not much more. Shut down Wisconsin's run game, and you force them to pass. That's what TCU hopes to do at the Rose Bowl. Who talks about the Horned Frog's offense?

TCU Has a Powerful Offense to Match Top Ranked Defense

TCU is ranked in the top ten in total offense

The gained over 500 yards a half-dozen times this season

Their spread offense will challenge the Badgers

The TCU run game has a rusher that amassed over 1000 yards this season

Who is TCU, and How Do the Badgers Match up in Size

2010-12-15T10:45:00.000-08:00

Texas Christian, otherwise known as TCU made it to the Rose Bowl as a non-automatic qualifying conference. Their number three rank in division 1A is how they got to the Granddaddy of bowl games. TCU was undefeated this season, and the Badgers lost to Michigan State.

Wisconsin's High Scoring Offense Versus TCU's Stingy Defense

Wisconsin ranks fourth in terms of points scored, and they face the number one defense in terms of scoring. TCU opponents scored an average of just over 11 points this season. A quick scan of the TCU defensive line shows that they average around 270lbs. The Badger's offensive line averages 320lbs. Every play, the Horned Frogs have to push back an extra 50lbs. If the Badgers keep to their game, TCU will most likely wear down in time.

Another key to success for Wisconsin is that the offensive line has made only one player change on the line. These young men have been working together for quite some time. TCU will have to keep low, and hope for an early lead.

Wisconsin Badgers Play TCU in Rose Bowl

2010-12-05T15:38:00.001-08:00

The Wisconsin Badgers were rewarded with a Rose Bowl bid after losing just one game all season. The team was excited to hear the news, and Bret Bielema is to hold a press conference at 8pm tonight.

Badgers Fans Head to Pasadena
Badgers fans are scrambling to find Rose Bowl packages. With over three weeks to prepare, the Badgers players focus on school, healing up, and watching lots of film on TCU.

Wisconsin Badgers Football | Looks Like Rose Bowl Bid Coming

2010-11-29T09:10:00.000-08:00

It's not official, but it looks like the Wisconsin Badgers football team is headed to the Rose Bowl. Once again, Wisconsin scored over 70 points in a crushing defeat of another Big Ten opponent. The Northwestern Wildcats were no match for the Badgers. Montee Ball took most of the carries, but Scott Tolzien did impress the fans with some serious passing in the second quarter.

Badgers Rose Bowl tickets will move fast, once the teams are announced. I'm heading to Pasadena! FUC27BSABFEK

Badgers Host Northwestern at Camp Randall

2010-11-24T10:57:00.000-08:00

On Saturday the Badgers welcome the Northwestern Wildcats. Wisconsin needs help to be crowned the Big Ten Champs. Not only do they have to defeat the Wildcats, but they need a few other teams to lose. They don't want to look past this Northwestern team just yet.

Northwestern Upset Iowa November 13

Northwestern fans stormed the field after defeating Iowa on November 13. They are a team that is capable of shutting down a top ranked opponent. Yes, they have been crushed by non ranked teams this past month, but something sparked a fire in their hearts when they beat the Hawkeyes.

Badgers Football Fast Start Essential

Wisconsin has had a few games this year where they went into the locker room at halftime just barely ahead of their opponent. After their bye week, they looked a bit rusty. They managed to pull away from every opponent, no matter how close the score, but all a team needs is a chance, and they might bring down the highly ranked Big Ten leaders.

John Clay practiced on Tuesday, so that makes running back number three that could add to an already record breaking 41 rushing touchdowns. That run game sets up the pass. It's all connected, and the last thing our Badgers want to do is get drawn out of the game that they know best.

Did the Badgers Run Up The Score at Camp Randall?

2010-11-15T10:23:00.000-08:00

The Wisconsin Badgers scored 83 points against the hapless Hoosiers this past Saturday. This was the highest scoring game for Bucky in 60 years. Will Bret Bielema take some heat for what some would say was running up the score? Before dumping on Bret, consider the facts about the Badgers verses Indiana game:

Indiana came to Camp Randall after losing a heart breaker at home
The Hoosier’s starting quarterback had to leave the game before the half, leaving a second string QB to face the Badgers defense.

As the BCS ranks teams by wins AND scoring, any team in the hunt for a national title, or top bowl game must score, and score, and score.

The Badgers had their fourth string quarterback in the game in the fourth quarter, and still the team scored touchdowns.

Bill Lynch, head coach for Indiana had nothing but compliments for the Badgers play.

BCS Ranking verses College Football Playoff System

Do runaway scores like this give fans another reason to demand a college football playoff system? A playoff situation would look a lot better than forcing teams to end the game due to a mercy rule. This is assuming that something will change in the way that the BCS standings are set.

Purdue Fights Hard for One Half as Badgers Pull Away in Second

2010-11-08T07:21:00.001-08:00

I must admit, it was hard to imagine that the Badgers would pull off a win last Saturday at Purdue. The Boilermakers were executing so well in the first half. Their blocking was nearly perfect. Their freshman quarterback looked poised. The Badgers needed a spark to wake them up. That spark came early in the third quarter.

The announcers on the Big Ten channel pointed out that Purdue's quarterback, was leading with his eyes, and it would just be a matter of time before the Badgers figured that out. Antonio Fenelus did just that. His score took that spark out of the Boilermakers.

Wisconsin Badgers Rank #7 in BCS Standings

What's nice to see is that our Badgers are now ranked ahead of Ohio State. They are fifth in the nation according to USA Today, and seventh in the BCS standings. LSU moved ahead of Bucky, taking number six. Next up for the Badgers is Indiana. The hoosiers were one missed catch away from upsetting Iowa. Those kinds of losses can break the hearts of players. All we Badgers fans want is to have the team win out the rest of the season.

Sean Robinsin and Purdue Boilermakers Host Wisconsin Badgers

2010-11-03T09:01:00.001-07:00

The Purdue Boilermakers are down to their third string quarterback. Starter Robert Mavre hobbled off the field on September 25, and Rob Henry is nursing a sore throwing hand that was lacerated just recently. That puts the football into the hands of a freshman quarterback. It's not so bad for Purdue, they are only going up against the seventh best college football team in the country. It will work itself out.

Seriously, the Badgers need to keep their heads about them, as they face a 4-4 Big Ten opponent. They can't mess this good thing up by losing to the Boilermakers. Purdue is 2-2 in the big ten, and Wisconsin's only loss was to Michigan State. There is still hope for the Badgers to win the Big Ten, as long as they take care of their remaining opponents.

Wisconsin Football Fans Witness another Big Ten Victory

2010-10-26T10:23:00.000-07:00

It's been 56 years since our Wisconsin Badgers had back to back Big Ten victories that involved opponents that ranked in the top 15. If the Ohio state game was a fluke, then what do college football fans say after the Badgers won at Iowa this past Saturday. It's time to say that our Badgers are for real.

Badgers VS Iowa Stats

Scott Tolzien threw for over 200 yards, and a touchdown.
John Clay scored two rushing TD's.
The Badgers defense gave up 258 yards in the air, but managed to stop Iowa on their last drive.
Buckey's offensive line managed to keep Tolzien safe, and opened holes for Clay and James White

As the Big Ten adjusts for Nebraska's entry, we may not see the Badgers play Iowa for a long time. There will be no more annual game between these two teams. Next up for Wisconsin is a road game at Purdue.

Badgers Roll Past Ohio State Buckeys | Iowa is Next

2010-10-20T10:36:00.000-07:00

So much has already been written about the huge upset that took place at Camp Randall Stadium. The Badgers destroyed the Ohio State Buckeyes. Yes, Ohio State came within three points of tying the game, but the Badgers next drive chewed up 11 minutes, and then put the game out of reach. That game was one for the ages. From the opening kick, to the final drive, the Badgers dominated.

What looms large for Bucky is the next game. They are on the road at Iowa. The Hawkeyes have lost only one game this season, and they hope that Wisconsin comes to Kinnick Stadium having spent it all the weekend before.

Badgers VS Ohio State This Saturday Night

2010-10-12T14:07:00.001-07:00

The number one ranked Ohio State Buckeyes come to Camp Randall Stadium this Saturday. The Badgers, now ranked 18 in the nation have their work cut out for them. The Buckeyes have their sights set on the Big Ten title. The Badgers just hope to steal one from the best team in the country. The lights at Camp Randall will be shining, as this game is an evening affair. Camp Randall tickets for this game are in high demand. The weather is supposed to be perfect. Let's hope that our Wisconsin Badgers pull the upset.

Badgers Fall To Michigan State in First Big Ten Game

2010-10-04T12:23:00.000-07:00

The Wisconsin Badgers football team failed their first big test. They came into East Lansing ranked 11th in the national polls, and lost to a team ranked 24th. Frankly, that’s where I would put the Badgers. They are not a top 20 team.

Michigan State controlled the ball for almost eight minutes in the final quarter. It was a “statement” drive for MSU. They have a great running game, just like Wisconsin, but their defense is stronger. The Badgers found themselves with many opportunities, but couldn't’t execute on offense.

Bret Bielema has struggled against good coaching. He can’t beat Ohio State, he’s only beaten Penn State once, and his overall performance against top ranked teams is sub par. Talk of a Rose Bowl game for this season should stop right now. Focusing week to week is probably the best bet in the near future.

Badgers VS Michigan State | Wisconsin's First Real Test

2010-09-29T11:13:00.000-07:00

It's Wisconsin VS Michigan State at East Lansing this Saturday afternoon. After the pummeling of Austin Peay, and the less than impressive victories over San Jose and Arizona State, do we have a recall understanding of what our Badgers will look like when they take the field?

Michigan State already had a strength test in Notre Dame. They came out of that game with an overtime win. A quick scan of their other non conference opponents reveals to me that they found Florida Atlantic to be a bit of a challenge, but then destroyed Northern Colorado heading into this Big Ten opener.

Our Badgers are favored, but not by much. Last season, Wisconsin picked off three passes on their way to an eight point victory. I'm not so sure that this game will be any better when it comes to the score. I see our Badgers winning. Final score Wisconsin 31, Michigan 27.

Badgers At Camp Randall Verses Austin Peay

2010-09-22T08:55:00.000-07:00

Badgers Slip Past Arizona State

Wisconsin narrowly defeated Arizona State by blocking a point after field goal in the fourth quarter. They ran out the clock, and headed into the locker room. It was another close game for our team.

Where is the offense this season? The Badgers were heavily favored in both games. The final score of said games did not prove that to be true. We must keep in mind that two starting wide receivers were sidelined during the Badgers VS ASU game.

Wisconsin Badgers tickets are in hand, and I'm heading to Camp Randall stadium this Saturday. I'm not sure that I will drive home happy, or perplexed. We will see if this game proves to me that our Badgers deserve such a high ranking.

Wisconsin Badgers Defeat UNLV and Learn Lessons

2010-09-08T07:56:00.000-07:00

What did we learn from the victory at UNLV? Montee Ball has some serious speed at running back. Scott Tolzien was to blame for the first seven points that UNLV scored. He ended the game with just under 200 passing yards, but didn't toss one for a touchdown. He will have to watch the tapes from the game, and learn from them.

Chris Borland got a sack in game one. He showed the fans that the Badgers linebackers are in top form. The group had 16 tackles in the game.

Montee Ball: He's fast, he scored two TD's, he's a back up running back that you can't look past. He may be small, but the guy just tore up the UNLV defense on Saturday night.

The Badgers have three home games in a row, starting with San Jose State on 9/11. Game time is 11am. Wisconsin is favored by 37 points. This game may be over by the end of the first quarter.

Badgers Football Countdown to 2010 Kickoff

2010-09-01T09:33:00.001-07:00

Badgers VS UNLV

Our Wisconsin Badgers are just three days away from the 2010 kickoff. UNLV will be a great test, albeit a non conference game. Will our Badgers stand the heat of the deasert? Just looking at the pictures of the UNLV stadium makes me start to sweat.

The forecast for game time is sunny with temparatures in the 100's. Who wants to play football in that weather? Not me. Rest assured, the team misters, and doctors, and "water boys" will be working overtime this coming September 4. Go Bucky!

Top Five Best Wisconsin Badgers Running Backs of all Time

2010-08-25T07:41:00.000-07:00

Who are the top five Wisconsin Badgers running backs of all time? How far back in Badger history do we have to go? Only as far back as this man's opinion will allow.

Five Best Wisconsin Badgers Running Backs

#1 Ron Dayne managed to carry (no pun intended) his power into the NFL. From setting records at Wisconsin, to backing up one of the better running backs in Tiki Barber, Dayne made it all the way to the Super Bowl.

#2 Brian Calhoun was a Detroit Lion for three seasons, after leaving the Badgers as MVP of the 2006 Capital One Bowl. This third round draft pick sufferd through injury as an NFL player.

#3 Alan Ameche started by hoisting the Heisman Trophy above his head, went on to play a half dozen seasons as a Baltimore Colt, and scored 40 touchdowns in the process. This was back in the day when a fullback carried the ball.

#4 Terrell Fletcher also played in the NFL after leaving Wisconsin. His combined numbers as a San Diego Charger are 3814. This man had a great ability to catch and run.

#5 Brent Moss had his troubles off the field, but played hard enough to earn a shot at the NFL. He played for the Rams, but didn't shine. He jumped over to the World League, and then arena football, before settling back in Wisconsin as a Racine Raider.

Badgers Football Season Starts with Road Game

2010-08-18T08:31:00.000-07:00

Wisconsin Badgers VS UNLV

It will be the Wisconsin Badgers VS UNLV in just over 17 days. Will the heat from the desert make our Wisconsin boys wilt? Possibly. UNLV is a great place to start the season. I would rather see what our Badgers are made of. Although UNLV is not a powerhouse, they are not to be trifled with either. In 2009 the Runnin' Rebels averaged 24.8 points per game, and did well in the passing department. That will test our cornerbacks. They finished the season with a 5-7 record.

Badgers Football Team Acquire Two Cornerbacks

2010-08-02T09:16:00.000-07:00

The Badgers Football recruitment efforts went back to familiar territory. They picked up two cornerbacks in Florida. Terrance Floyd and Makinton Dorleant both committed to Wisconsin. These are the first two out of state players to make the decision to play at Wisconsin.

Camp Randall Stadium is Getting a New Hotel for Fans

2010-07-14T10:18:00.000-07:00

Right across the street from the Wisconsin Badgers Camp Randall Stadium sits a new hotel awaiting to be finished. When this idea was proposed, out of the city fans seemed very enthusiastic about the idea. Unfortunately shortly after construction got started the economy took a big hit. Other business owners in the area say that the building and construction had been temporarily on hold for the past ten months.

Architect Bob Sieger is now able to get the loans that he needs to complete the construction and are set to be done this fall. I think the idea of building a Hotel right across the street from Camp Randall Stadium is a great idea especially for fans and visitors to the Madison area looking to catch a glimpse at the University and everything the city has to offer.

UW Badger Football Team Says Yes to Madison Memorial's Jordan Fredrick

2010-07-07T11:32:00.000-07:00

It has always been a dream of Madison Memorial's Jordan Fredrick to play for the University of Wisconsin football team and now it is coming true. A few weeks ago Fredrick played very well at a Camp Randall Stadium Football Camp, he was then asked by Coach Bielema if he would accept a scholarship to come play for the Badgers.

Jordan Fredrick also had scholarship offers from Iowa and North Dakota State, but in the end chose the Badgers. This will be the sixth oral commitment that has been made for the Badgers' 2011 recruiting class. Frederick states that he didn't think he would ever be asked to play for the Wisconsin badgers but after realizing how great of a player he had become and earning Associated Press first-team all-state honors, his dreams began to all come true. It looks like this new addition to the team will really bring on great results and I'm sure Wisconsin Badger fans can't wait to cheer on their new player at Camp Randall Stadium!

Badgers Football Fans Welcome Derek Landisch

2010-07-02T07:37:00.000-07:00

Badgers Football fans will see Derek Landisch on the field at Camp Randall some day soon. This local Wisconsin high school athlete made a verbal commitment to play for the Wisconsin. He comes out of the Hartland Arrowhead program, and played linebacker.

Badgers Vs. Cornhuskers As Nebraska Joins Big Ten

2010-06-15T12:16:00.000-07:00

It's a big day for the Big Ten Conference! Yesterday it was announced that Nebraska would be entered in to the Big Ten Conference. The decision was unanimous and approved by the Presidents and Chancellors of the Big Ten Council that the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) be entered into the family.

This is the first addition to the Big Ten Conference since Penn State joined back in 1990 and increases the membership to 12 schools. What this means for Camp Randall Stadium is a new Badgers Vs Cornhuskers rivalry.

How Would You Like a Free Guided Tour of Camp Randall Stadium?

2010-06-10T07:53:00.000-07:00

This time of year is when fans and school groups come to Madison to see a tour of the University of Wisconsin. These free tours are personally guided by the UW Athletics Department of Camp Randall Stadium and The Kohl Center. The hour long tours are offered and given to thousands of people each day.

The portion of the Camp Randall Stadium tour emphasizes and explains the renovations completed in 2005. Specifically the changes include the visiting teams locker room, club seats, suites, and the area that holds memorabilia and trophies. I've never been to Camp Randall Stadium so I think this would be very interesting and fun! I've always heard from many UW students that Camp Randall Tickets are a hot commodity, so I will have to make a point to take a tour soon and see what there talking about. One of the most exciting things I've heard about the tour is that you are able to run down the tunnel that the Wisconsin Badgers Football team uses and out onto the field.

Ron Dayne Loved Camp Randall Football

2010-06-02T12:15:00.000-07:00

When many Wisconsin Badger fans think of Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, they probably think of Ron Dayne. Dayne, also known as "The Great Dayne" is mostly known for setting the all-time record for rushing yards and was the Heisman trophy winner as the nations best college football player in 1999.

Ron Dayne, managed to take the Wisconsin Badgers to four bowls during his time at Camp Randall Stadium. When his college football career ended Dayne went on to be the 11th pick of the NFL Draft in 2000 by the New York Giants who later went to play in the Super Bowl. Although these days many people don't talk about Ron Dayne, at any given Wisconsin Badgers Football game, you can bet his name comes up many times in the stands of Camp Randall Stadium.

New Freshmen, Tyler Westphal, is Making Progress on The Wisconsin Badgers Football Team

2010-05-26T08:24:00.000-07:00

Tyler Westphal is a Menasha High School graduate who joined the Wisconsin Badgers this season. The first game for many new players on the team is the Spring Football game. It may not seem like a huge deal to players who have been on the team for a few years but to freshmen Tyler Westphal, playing in front of a huge group of fans is quite the feat! The Camp Randall Stadium atmosphere was filled with 25,000 cheering fans for the Spring Football game in Madison.

Westphal is a defensive end who has had many injuries already since he joined the Badgers but has continued to fight back and make a name for himself. The Spring Game was his first game as a Badger after having to get his shoulder surgically repaired. Westphal's shoulder held out nicely for the game at Camp Randall Stadium and he was able to make 30 plays during the game. In the next coming months until regular season starts Westphal will be training vigorously and working on learning plays so he can show Camp Randall fans a reason to "Jump Around!"

Night Games Popular For Wisconsin Badgers Football This Upcoming Season

2010-05-18T12:22:00.000-07:00

It looks to be that the Wisconsin Badgers have some exciting night games to look forward to this upcoming 2010-2011 Football Season. This will the third year in a row where Camp Randall Stadium will host a night game. The game will be against Ohio State on October 16th at 6pm CT and televised on ESPN or ESPN2 which is great exposure for Camp Randall Stadium. Another night for Badgers Football fans will be at UNLV.

The rest of the times for the 2010-2011 Wisconsin Badgers Football games at Camp Randall Stadium and across the US should be set sometime at the end of June or early July.

The Wisconsin Badgers Football Schedule Update

2010-05-12T15:21:00.000-07:00

The Wisconsin Badger's first game-time announced to be played at Camp Randall will be against Arizona State at 2:30 p.m. on September 18th. This game will be a non-conference game and will air on ABC and ESPN 2 which is great for the Wisconsin Badgers Football team's exposure and Camp Randall Stadium.

Fans will have to make sure they get their Wisconsin Badger Football tickets as soon as possible now that the time, date and location have been announced. Another reason this will be such a great game to attend and watch is because the Wisconsin Badgers haven't played the Arizona Sun Devils since 1968! I can't wait to find out when the rest of the games will be starting!

Mifflin Street Days In Madison Have Badger Fans Thinking Football Already

2010-05-03T13:11:00.000-07:00

This past weekend in Madison was the annual Mifflin Street Days which are held on Mifflin Street in Madison. This event happens the first weekend in May every year. Just a short three miles away is the Camp Randall Stadium where the Wisconsin Badgers Football team plays. It's so great that the city of Madison brings in so many fans throughout the state to celebrate Wisconsin Badgers sports.

Although Mifflin Street days are typically just an event where college kids fill the street and party, there is some value to having an event like this in Madison. Mifflin Street Days is an example of how events like this in the city will promote the sports played at the Camp Randall Stadium, raise awareness, and bring in more fans to the team. After going to Mifflin Street Days and passing the beautiful Camp Randall Stadium where the football team has been having spring practice this past weekend, I cannot wait until Badger Football Season starts!

The first Wisconsin Badgers Football game is scheduled for September 4th against UNLV in Las Vegas. The rest of the schedule is set for who they will play but not exact dates and times. I can't wait until the official dates come out so I can buy my Wisconsin Badger tickets for the Madison Vs Michigan State game!

Camp Randall Home Field Advantage Top Ten

2010-04-28T06:56:00.000-07:00

Cheers to those who agree with the Sporting News, as Camp Randall's home field advantage is in the top ten rankings. Dave Curtis of the Sporting News ranks the Wisconsin Badgers football palace at number six in his top ten. He notes that the Badgers have amassed 30 home victories in the past five years. Wisconsin certainly has an advantage when their opponents come to Madison. The stands are a sea of Badgers red. It gets pretty crazy at Camp Randall every time the Badgers hit the field.

Wisconsin Badgers Football Spring Games at Camp Randall

2010-04-20T07:39:00.000-07:00

The Wisconsin Badgers Football Annual Spring game at Camp Randall was this past weekend and was a big success. The game was a scrimmage between the 'Cardinal' starting team, and the backups on the 'white' team. The final score was 33-11 Cardinals.
The Annual Spring Football game is a wonderful way for starting freshmen on the team to get used to the fans and Camp Randall Stadium. Some members of the team were unable to play due to injuries including Curt Phillips, John Clay, Chris Borland and Mike Taylor.
This is the time of the year where those injured starters can heal and freshman players get a taste of Camp Randall craziness. The start to the season is months away, but fans still come out in big numbers to see the Badgers play football.

Last Week of Spring Practice For Wisconsin Badgers Football!

2010-04-13T11:37:00.000-07:00

This week will be the Wisconsin Badgers last week of spring practice! It looks like the team's practices went very well and everyone seems to be healthy! This Saturday, April 17th will be the Wisconsin Badgers annual Spring Game. This game is a scrimmage that will give the new young players on the team a chance to get used to the big crowd at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.

It's crazy to think that the Badgers are already going to be starting up at Camp Randall again when baseball season is just getting started. Can't wait to see how the Badgers do this season!

Wisconsin Badgers Football Hopes to Plan a Home-and-Home Series!

2010-04-06T13:10:00.000-07:00

The Wisconsin Badgers Football team is hopping to plan a Home-and-Home series with Notre Dame or Nebraska. This would be great for Wisconsin Badgers fans if they expanded their schedule to include either of those teams. A Home-and-Home series is where two teams meet twice, once at each of their fields.

It may be a long time before this actually happens because in previous years we have heard talk about expanding the Wisconsin Badgers Football Schedule but nothing has happened just yet. Badger fans will continue to keep their fingers crossed but in the mean time they'll just have to wait and see what happens.

Wisconsin Badgers Football Spring Training Begins

2010-03-30T08:52:00.000-07:00

Our Wisconsin Badgers football team is hitting the field this week. The process of winning college football games starts with strength conditioning, and moves all the way to bowl game strategy (we hope.) The Badgers first team meeting began, and we're just 171 days away from the official start of the season.

Bret Bielema was the first coach to address the team. From there, the assistants took over.

Some of the subjects in the meeting covered things like off the field antics, mental struggles to over come, and making the right decisions from day one. It's about not making stupid mistakes, according to one of the coordinators who spoke this first day. There were slides, films, speeches, and then the Wisconsin Badgers moved onto the field for some practice. Camp Randall awaits.

Wisconsin Badger Football Spring Practice Underway and One Player is a Step Ahead

2010-03-18T13:34:00.000-07:00

Wisconsin Badgers football spring training has officially begun. This past Tuesday March 16th was the Wisconsin Badgers first outdoor Practice at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.

One new player of the 2010 recruiting Wisconsin Badger Football team will be a step ahead of the other recruits starting in the fall. Warren Herring, a Belleville East High School graduate was able to enroll a semester early to the University of Wisconsin. By doing that he was able to participate in spring practice as a freshman in the spring, a semester early. This should give him a chance to get acclimated with the UW schooling and Badger football team.

Practice has been going well so far and the great weather we've been having lately is a plus! Best of luck to the upcoming Wisconsin Badger players!

Wisconsin Badgers Football Spring Drills Begin Practicing at Camp Randall this Saturday!

2010-03-11T14:18:00.000-08:00

Each day as the snow begins to melt more and more and spring showers pop up more often, so does the thought of College football season starting! Camp Randall Tickets are going to begin flying off the shelves when the tickets get printed for this coming Wisconsin Badgers Football Season of 2010.

It looks like the team will practice fourteen times before their Annual Spring Game at Camp Randal Stadium in Madison on April 17th. The first practice is this Saturday already! It looks like some players will not be involved in the preseason practice due to injuries. Specifically, star running back, John Clay will not be participating in practice because of an ankle injury. Clay will be going through two different sets of rehab and rest instead of attending the spring drills. Whatever it takes to get Clay, along with the other injured players back into shape to help the Wisconsin Badgers win in their upcoming 2010 season at Camp Randall Stadium is just fine with me!

Is it College Football Season Yet?

2010-03-04T09:17:00.000-08:00

Is it College Football Season Yet? Well not exactly, but it is almost spring which means its time for the Annual Spring Football game at Camp Randall! The Wisconsin Badgers spring game will be played on April 17th at 2pm and admission is free! Before the Spring Game they will also be holding the traditional kids fair!

This years event will be a blast and always attracts a huge crowd of fans! So if you haven't marked your calendars yet, you should!! It's hard to believe that the Wisconsin Badgers spring practice begins next saturday already, March 13th when Badger Basketball Isn't even over with yet! Thinking back on last season the Badgers ended ranked 16th in the country, which is pretty great! Hopefully this season will be just as good or even better for the team! Go Badgers Go!

Badgers Football Fans and Beer Gardens outside of Camp Randall in Madison

2010-02-23T14:18:00.000-08:00

You can't get a beer inside of Camp Randall Stadium. You can get brewski in the tents outside. The tents are sponsored by the restaurants and bars that surround the stadium. They accepted the rules change in 1998, and now with more Badgers Football games scheduled for the evenings, the rules once more need to adjust. We don't want super-drunk fans walking home from the games. Let's remember that this is a college town.

Wisconsin VS Minnesota football

2010-02-17T10:14:00.000-08:00

It’s never too early to start thinking about Wisconsin VS Minnesota football. Most of you may be starting to think about spring training and baseball season starting, but that isn’t the case for everyone. Yes, we are in the middle of the Badgers basketball season.

For Badger football fans, especially our favorite Wisconsin Badgers football tickets fan is already starting to get excited about the Badgers Vs Gophers game. October 9, 2010 will be the Wisconsin Badgers first Big Ten game, and they go up against their rival, The game will cap off homecoming weekend in Madison. This is sure to be one of their biggest games of the season, it’s no wonder Badger football fans are excited! Homecoming in Madison is always a great time of the year, with school just getting in the swing of things, and bringing together the school’s biggest fan’s to show their team spirit.

Camp Randall Hockey Game Huge Success

2010-02-10T11:10:00.000-08:00

The Camp Randall tickets were for hockey, not football. Still, over 50,000 people showed up for the game, on what turned out to be a cold winter night. The Badgers women defeated Bemidji State, and the Men came from behind to beat Michigan by a score of 3-2. This was one of the largest crowds for an NCAA hockey game in recent history. Michigan State holds the record for an outdoor hockey event, at 74,000 fans.

Camp Randall Stadium, Wisconsin Hockey in February

2010-02-04T13:54:00.000-08:00

Camp Randall stadium has notified the public that they have sold over 50,000 tickets for the Hockey Classic. It looks like the weather will be typical for Wisconsin in February. Temps will be in the low 30's at game time, but will dip into the 20's by the end of it all. Fans should be sure to bundle up.

The Badgers Hockey teams had the chance to test the ice. They liked what the felt under their blades, but were a bit worried about the stiff nature of the glass. Finally, after practice was over, the kids took turns in an effort to make a hockey puck field goal. Blake Geoffrion scored three points hockey-style.

Badgers Hockey Tickets at Camp Randall?

2010-01-26T14:07:00.000-08:00

The Wisconsin Badgers Hockey tickets are in high demand for the game at Camp Randall. Yes, this is the new thing, to put a hockey rink on a football field. The Fenway Park game had 200,000 people scrambling for tickets. This time, the hockey team is our Wisconsin Badgers, and the venue is Camp Randall.

The Camp Randall Hockey Classic is set for February 6th. The Badgers will play Michigan at 5pm. The rink is coming together with few problems.

Wisconsin Badgers Jim Leonhard Plays in Biggest Game of his Career

2010-01-24T16:03:00.000-08:00

Wisconsin Badgers Jim Leonhard played with a cast on his arm. You could have put a cast on each arm and he would have played that game. He had four tackles in the game against the Colts. In the first half of the game Leonhard had a tackle. He had three tackles in the second half, but his team cam up short. Badgers football fans are proud of Leonhard.

Nine Wisconsin Badger Football stats to consider for 2009

2010-01-21T10:33:00.000-08:00

When scanning the Wisconsin Badgers football stats for 2009, some things pop out at me big time.

Badgers Scored 413 points in the season.
Opponents Scored 283.

When compared to their opponent:

The Badgers had twice as many rushing first downs.
Wisconsin gained twice as many yards on the ground.
The Badgers had three times as many rushing TD's
Half as many return yards on kickoffs.
Exactly the same average return yards on punts.
Double the attendance when compared to other venues.

The strongest quarter for the Badgers was the second. They outscored others by 100 points in quarter two. The numbers don't lie. Our 20099 Badgers were a strong team.

Wisconsin Badgers Football John Clay Season Stats

2010-01-13T11:15:00.001-08:00

In 2009 Wisconsin Badgers football running back John Clay looked stronger than ever, starting the season off with 143 rushing yards at the Fresno State game. Clay also played his first start of the season against the Wofford Terriers the following week. At the Minnesota Golden Gophers game, Clay ran 184 rushing yards on 32 attempts, a career high for him and also scored 3 touchdowns that game. Late in the season, Clay was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, the third Badger to gain this title. Clay has decided not to leave the Badgers early to enter the 2010 NFL Draft. He was stated as saying “I know I'm not ready yet. I'm still not mentally there. I need to get more in shape and everything. I've got some time left before I make that decision.” Another season with Wisconsin Badgers fans backing him up will hopefully prove to be helpful for young Clay and fans can’t wait until next season to see what he’s got to show us.

Wisconsin Badgers Football Team Returns a Number of Starters

2010-01-05T12:17:00.000-08:00

How many Wisconsin Badgers Football starters will return for 2010? At the current count seven starters will move on, leaving 16 to come back to play in fall at Camp Randall. The Badgers won ten games this year, and that means there will be more press coverage in the coming season.

John Clay stated that he will be returning to Wisconsin for another year. That could make the difference between a struggling Badgers, or not. Scott Tolzien will also be heading back to Camp Randall. Who will be missed? O'Brian Schofield did a great job chasing the quarterback. He's not on the roster for 2010. More to follow.

Wisconsin Badgers 2010 football | A Tough Act To Follow

2009-12-30T10:53:00.000-08:00

Our Wisconsin Badgers football team defeated the Miami Hurricanes 20-14 in Orlando. The Champs Sports bowl crowd was made up mostly of Miami Fans, but no matter. John Clay ran for over 120 yards, and Scott Tolzien passed for over 260. The play action pass killed Miami. The Badgers run game was fantastic.

We Wisconsin Badgers football fans are proud to see that they finished so strong in 2009. Will they improve in 2010? With only one Badger Football player graduating, we hope to see an improved team in 2010. Go Badgers!

Badgers Football Record | Badgers Bowl Game to come?

2009-12-21T08:02:00.000-08:00

As the badgers finish out their regular 2009 season they prepare for the 2009 Champs Bowl in Orlando, against Miami December 29th. Looking back, they had a great season. Their last win against Hawaii 51-10, made it the fifth season where they will have won at least nine games. If they continue to win, and perhaps get a couple of extra victories next season they may be attending a more popular bowl game.

The badgers started the season out strong with five big wins in a row. The game against Fresno state was an exciting one ending in a win for the Badgers 34-31 after double overtime. Their biggest win besides the game against Hawaii was against Iowa 37-0. Overall for a team that was thought to not have a chance this season did a great job ending in a 9-3 record.

Wisconsin Badgers football 2009 Champs Sports Bowl

2009-12-07T11:03:00.000-08:00

The Wisconsin Badgers played into the night in Hawaii. After defeating the Hawaii, the powers that be decided that it will be Badgers VS Miami in the Champs Sports bowl on December 29th, 2009. Since the opponent is Miami, and the game is being played in Orlando, you can guess that there will be a huge number of Miami fans in attendance.

Wisconsin Badgers football fans will certainly travel to Orlando as well. This is not the first time that the Badgers were in the Champs Sports Bowl.

Wisconsin Badgers Outback Bowl A Likely 2010 Game

2009-11-27T10:31:00.000-08:00

This past weekend the Badgers took on Northwestern in their first game since 1999. Coming into the game it looked like it would be a no brainer win for the Wisconsin Badgers. Northwestern's record was at 4-3 and the Badgers were 5-2. According to those ranking the Badgers were tied for 3rd place in the conference. Unfortunately after a long struggle, the Badgers lost their game 33 to 31. Had the Game Been at Camp Randal Stadium, perhaps the home crowd would have pushed the team to victory.

I really thought they had a chance to pull through with a win up until the badgers QB Scott Tolzien was intercepted with 33 seconds left in the game to finish out the win for NU.
At this point the Badgers are ranked fourth in their conference just one above Northwestern now. With that being said, the Badgers take on the Warriors this Saturday in Hawaii. If the badgers want a good chance at securing the Outback Bowl on January 1st they would need an Oklahoma win against Oklahoma State. It would be great for the Badgers if two BCS teams from the Big Ten Conference would be in.

Wisconsin Badgers 2010 Bowl Game | The Picture Might Clear Up On Saturday at Northwestern

2009-11-19T07:44:00.001-08:00

It was clear that going into the Wisconsin Badgers Vs. Michigan fans had a feeling that the Badgers may win. Bucky fans have held their collective breath most games. You never know about this 2009 Badgers team. Instead, fans were entertained by the Badgers completely crushing Michigan. The beginning of the game looked like it was going to be a close match as it was tied in the first, but after the half it was clear the Badgers were destined to dominate Michigan. As of right now, John Clay is the lead rusher in the Big Ten, with 112.4 yards per game. After last weekend’s game, the Badgers are now 5 and 2 with a three-way tie for second place in the Big Ten.

The Wisconsin Badgers look to take on Northwestern who are 4-3 in Illinois this Saturday. A win against Northwestern would not only bring them a higher ranking, but also secure Wisconsin Badgers 2010 Bowl game placement. According to College Football News, as of November 15th their prediction for the Badgers would be to play on January 1st against Ole Miss in the Outback Bowl. The Outback Bowl is Big Ten’s 3rd pick vs. SEC’s 3rd pick. I’m excited to see how the Badgers do against Northwestern and Hawaii to finish up the season and Hope for a great Bowl game match up after the season.

Wisconsin Badgers Football Prepares for Michigan by Defeating Indiana

2009-11-13T06:28:00.000-08:00

The Wisconsin Badgers football team had a great game last Saturday against the Indiana Hoosiers. Although it was close, ending in 31-28, the badgers played really well and finished on top. Montee Ball scored two of the touchdowns and running back John Clay ran for 134 yards and a touchdown. With the Indiana win under their belt, the Badgers hope to continue their winning streak into Saturday’s game against Michigan. The odd’s look good for the badgers this weekend against their long time rivals seeing how their ranking is 4th in the Big Ten and Michigan is ranked 10th.
The badgers have had a great season’s so far and are now overall 20th in the national ranking. In the beginning it seemed as if the badgers weren’t going to have a good season but now that doesn’t seem to be the case at all. It looks as though with only three games left there is definite talk of bowl eligibility. I’m very excited to see what the outcome of the game this Saturday and have high hopes for a great finish to their season!

Badgers VS Hoosiers after Wisconsin defeats Purdue

2009-11-05T07:42:00.000-08:00

Last weekend the Wisconsin Badgers defeated Purdue 37-0! Our offense was on fire! Even after the first quarter, it seemed like Purdue didn’t stand a chance. Running back John Clay gave Purdue’s defense a run for their money ending the game with three touchdowns and 123 yards.

After Wisconsin’s win against Purdue it landed them 24th in the overall rankings, and made their record now six wins and two losses. Also moving them up to a 4th place ranking in the Big 10 Conference. This coming weekend the Badgers take on Indiana on the road Saturday November 7th. With the next opponent's record at only four wins and five losses, I have a feeling this Badgers VS Hoosiers game could be easily dominated by Wisconsin.

It looks as though Wisconsin’s remaining schedule for the season will be a cake walk if they don’t get too arrogant. Their next two upcoming matches after Indiana are against Michigan and Northwestern who are both also ranked below us as of right now. I’m hoping for a great finish and maybe even a higher ranking to finish off the season after Wisconsin’s next few

Wisconsin Badgers VS Purdue Boilermakers on Halloween

2009-10-28T14:11:00.001-07:00

This week’s game between the Wisconsin Badgers vs Purdue Boilermakers is going to be a fun one because it lands on a very special day for College students October 31st, Halloween. The matchup looks like it may be a close one. Right now in the Big Ten Conference the Badgers are ranked 5th winning five out of seven games and Perdue is ranked 7th winning only three of their five games. Officials have said that Wisconsin is favored by seven points to win over Purdue so this time I hope their right! A win after their last two previous losses would be a great help for the team’s rankings and make the fans who will be there for the weekend even more enjoyable.
Not only is this Saturday about the football game it is also the infamous Halloween Party in Madison. State Street shuts down and hosts one of the craziest parties for Halloween that draws in college students from all over Wisconsin to Madison. Many Badger fans will be coming for this game probably to also celebrate Halloween so I’m sure the turn out at the game will be very big. Who knows maybe even students will come dressed up in their costumes. The weather forecast looks nice being roughly in the 50’s and partly cloudy which might make this one of the last nicer games to attend this season before the snow creeps in.

Wisconsin Badgers Roster Change, Mike Taylor Out For Season

2009-10-22T06:51:00.000-07:00

This past Badgers VS Iowa game first seemed to be going Wisconsin's way. As for the fans, everyone was dressed in red and white scrounging around to find last minute Badgers tickets to cheer on a victory for their team’s homecoming game. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case. The Badgers suffered their first home game loss ending in 20-10 keeping Iowa still undefeated. I’m hoping that Badgers game next weekend against Purdue will put our team on a winning streak.

A win next weekend may be tough after the disappointing news about Mike Taylor. It looks like the Wisconsin Badgers Roster will be short one Mike Taylor for the remainder of the season. Taylor came up with a torn ACL that he got in this past weekend’s game against Iowa. Freshman linebacker Chris Borland will be taking Taylor’s place.

Badgers coach, Bret Bielema has high hopes for Borland explaining that he has done well in whatever position or situation we have put him in. I’m hoping for an exciting win against Purdue, whose record is only two wins and five losses. It will be really nice to see Badger fans out supporting their team this weekend to redeem their upsetting homecoming loss last weekend.

Camp Randall Stadium Big Ten Football Badgers vs Hawkeyes

2009-10-13T07:02:00.000-07:00

Fans are going to be Jumping Around at Camp Randall Stadium in Wisconsin
Camp Randall is the Big Ten Conference’s fourth largest stadium that will be holding up to roughly 80,000 fans for this weekend’s upcoming homecoming game against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Many would be surprised to know that the ground where the stadium lies were once a former Union Army Training Camp during the Civil War. The stadium is named after Alexander Randall, Postmaster General at the Camp. Although it is interesting to find out the history of the stadium, I’m assuming that the majority of students and fans will not be thinking about that at the kick off of their homecoming game this Saturday October 17th.
Two team members that will hopefully be in great form for the Badger’s next game is wide receiver Nick Toon and running back Zach Brown. Toon has been doing great job this season. His father, former wide receiver for the New York Jets as well as the Wisconsin Badgers must be very proud of his son. Already this season he has had 26 receptions, 322 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Running back Zach Brown is also a valuable player who we will hopefully be able to see perform in the Iowa game. It appears that unfortunately Brown was diagnosed with a concussion during Saturday’s game against Ohio State. Coach Bret Bielema, said that he wasn’t sure if Brown will be able to play in Saturday’s Homecoming game. Freshman Montee Ball would likely fill in. Here’s to Hoping Brown has a speedy recovery and a Homecoming win for the Badgers!!

Iowa Hawkeyes play Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall

2009-10-12T13:57:00.000-07:00

John Clay, a Racine WI native, is no stranger to honorable mentions and achievements as Wisconsin Badger’s running back. I’d even like to go as far as saying he is the team’s offensive backbone. I had high hopes for Clay going into the Wisconsin Badgers vs. Ohio State game this past weekend. It looked as though might break through Ohio State’s defense in the beginning of the game but in the end and overall he came up short. Although the badgers couldn’t pull off a win against Ohio, it was a tough match up and I still have high hopes for the rest of John Clay’s season.
Some honors that this Wisconsin Badgers running back has gotten in the 2009 season so far are the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week and UW’s offensive MVP. He was able to get these honorable mentions by rushing 184 yards, having 32 carries against both Minnesota and Michigan State, and three rushing touchdowns. One of Clay’s longest plays made this year was against Northern Illinois making a 72-yard touchdown run. For the rest of the season I’m hoping that Clay doesn’t let last weekend’s game get him down, rather makes his drive stronger to bring in some wins for the Badgers. Let's see how our Wisconsin Badgers play against the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Wisconsin Badgers team ranking for 2009

2009-10-09T11:47:00.000-07:00

The Wisconsin Badger’s football team is still undefeated after taking on the Minnesota Gophers and defeating them soundly, 31 to 28 last weekend. Everyone, myself included, seems to be getting more excited as the Badgers continue to win. Bret Bielema is happy that his team is doing so well, but as of yesterday they are still not ranked in the top 25. He explained that he wasn’t concerned because he doesn’t mind flying under the radar. He didn’t care if they were ranked, just happy his team was continuing to win. All that changed this morning. According to ESPN.com-USA Today’s Poll Bucky is officially ranked #25.
This upcoming Saturday October 10th, the Badgers take on the 9th ranked Ohio Buckeye’s. This game will certainly look like the challenge of the season so far. I’m hoping that with team spirit riding high on their undefeated status and newly ranked position, they will continue to give it their all. If this were a home game in Madison, Camp Randall tickets would be in high demand.

It looks as though Ohio will match up their punishing defense against running back John Clay, and Company. John Clay was one of the most highly recruited players in the country coming out of high school. After being redshirted as a freshman in 2008, Clay ended up finishing last season second on the team with over 850 yards on the ground, and seventh in the Big Ten Conference with nine touchdowns. Now as a sophomore, his performance seems to continue to bring him praises. I’m only hoping he can continue to build his numbers against that Buckey defense.
It will be a tough game to watch if the Badgers cannot pull off a win against the Ohio. The Buckeyes tend to draw national attention, and the Badgers would certainly rise in the rankings if they pull off the upset.