SPORTS
Badgers look to extend perfect season against Spartans
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Also by Benjamin Worgull:
- Tech-nically sound, UW faces test (February 23, 2007)
- O Captain! My Captain! Joudrey fulfills role (February 20, 2007)
- Forecheck sparks Badger success (February 19, 2007)
- Taylor saves his best for last (February 15, 2007)
- Seniors hit key 'junction' (February 13, 2007)
Related Stories:
- Wisconsin No. 15 in preseason poll (November 12, 2003)
- Nittany Lions fall hard in polls (September 24, 2007)
- Badgers fall to 9th in latest AP Poll (September 17, 2007)
- Duerst's Badgers to host 2003 Big Ten tournament (November 5, 2003)
by Benjamin Worgull
Tuesday, November 9, 2004
After defeating the Gophers 38-14 Saturday, the Badgers finished their home regular season a perfect 6-0. Wisconsin improved its mark to 9-0 for the third time in school history, garnered a No. 4 ranking in both the AP and ESPN/Coaches Poll and sit in first place atop the Big Ten. However, in Wisconsin’s 115-year football history, the Badgers have never been 10-0. In order to accomplish that feat, Wisconsin must travel to East Lansing, Mich., to face a Michigan State team that has lost its last two games in dramatic fashion and will be looking for the big upset in front of the home crowd. However, Michigan State is without its starting quarterback Drew Stanton, who will be out for this week’s game with a separated shoulder. Starting in his place will be senior quarterback Damon Dowdell.
After being thrust into the starting spot last Saturday, Dowdell played well, completing 29 passes for more than 250 yards. However, he threw three interceptions as the Spartans blew a fourth-quarter lead and lost to Ohio State 32-19. With the loss, Dowdell’s career starting record is a porous 1-7. Despite his record, Wisconsin head coach Barry Alvarez recognizes that Dowdell can play the quarterback position as well as anybody.
“I think [Dowdell] is a very gifted athlete,” Alvarez commented. “He’s the kind of quarterback that I really personally like: strong arm, fast, he could hurt you a lot of different ways. Their offense has changed from what they ran a year ago. They are still going to throw the ball and spread you out, but they have featured the run more and, surprisingly, even a little option attack involved. With [Dowdell’s] athletic ability, he creates a lot of problems for you.”
A defensive battle: After last Saturday’s game, Wisconsin continues to be among the nation’s leaders in defense. Wisconsin is first in the nation in scoring defense (9.1 ppg) and touchdowns allowed (9), while the Badgers rank third in total defense (246.9 ypg). Though going unnoticed much of the season, Michigan State’s defensive front has been an anchor in the trenches. In their six Big Ten games this season, the Spartans have allowed only one running back to rush more than 100 yards. For the run-oriented Badger offense, this Saturday’s matchup should prove a tough challenge.
“When you take a look at them, [Michigan State has] a very physical defensive front,” Alvarez said. “You don’t get much movement. Nobody gets much movement on their defensive line. They move some people around, as far as linebackers, so they have a couple linebackers in there that are physical, yet they have some speed … When you don’t get much movement on the front, then you have got linebackers that can cover a lot of ground. It is going to improve your rush defense.”
Outstanding Orr: Though he hadn’t caught a ball against Purdue or Northwestern, Jonathan Orr made his presence felt against Minnesota, catching three passes for 68 yards and one touchdown. Orr has now caught 12 passes for 170 yards and three touchdowns. Despite not being the focal point in the offense like he was in high school, Orr knows that at any point, his number could be called.
“I just know that at any given time, I could be placed into the position to have an opportunity to make a play,” Orr said. “If you lose focus or get complacent with not having as many balls come your way, you don’t make the most of it. Just knowing that any given time a guy could go down or your number could be called and the ball would be there.”
Additionally, Jonathan Orr feels that despite getting only a couple catches, he is happy with how he has improved as a player, both physically and mechanically.
“I am pleased with the way I have performed as far as making plays when I had the opportunity and staying focused on what it is I have to do to become a better receiver,” Orr said. “Also, I am pleased with the way I am using technique and fundamentals as opposed to relying on my speed. So it is just a lot of little things that differ from just catching, yards and touchdowns.”
Stocco earns Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week: After throwing for a career-best 297 yards against Minnesota, sophomore quarterback John Stocco was named the Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Week Monday.
Stocco completed 19 of his 26 passes for 297 yards, with 241 of those yards coming before halftime. He also completed a touchdown pass and ran for two more in helping the Badgers crush the Gophers 38-14.
Stocco’s first-half effort alone eclipsed his previous career-best of 211 yards. The performance also ranks as the second-best performance by a Wisconsin sophomore quarterback in the history of the program. Only Darell Bevell’s school-record 423 yards against Minnesota in 1993 was better.
Stocco was able to lead the Wisconsin offense on scoring drives in each of its first five possessions. The first four drives ended in touchdowns.
Anonymous (November 9, 2004 @ 7:08am):
There should be a mention of Orange Bowl in every article about the football team. If the student media isn't talking it up, the national media never will.
Anonymous (November 9, 2004 @ 8:16am):
Let's start planning protests now for if we finish undefeated but don't get a bid to the Orange Bowl.
Anonymous (November 9, 2004 @ 10:01am):
Orange Bowl? Hmm... is it wrong to want the Badgers to go to the Rose Bowl instead? I REALLY don't want to go to Miami. New Year's in L.A. is SO much better!
Anonymous (November 9, 2004 @ 11:17am):
The Rose Bowl is ok, so long as it's Cal vs. the only undefeated besides us in the Orange Bowl. That way, we'll have every right to dump on the BCS for screwing us over.
Anonymous (November 9, 2004 @ 11:45am):
Gentlemen, We are not talking Orange Bowl because it is not likely that the Badgers will get there. Plain and simple. The Badgers need to win out and three of the four teams ahead of us need to lose one game, being Cal, Oklahoma, Auburn or USC. Granted, I would love to see us in the Orange Bowl, but we need to be realistic. Don't get me wrong, I am cheering for them as much as you are, but California is where we are going to go, unless a miracle happens.
~M. Robinson
Badger Herald
Anonymous (November 9, 2004 @ 12:09pm):
Well, it's been a miracle season so far. What's wrong about trying to shoot for the stars? Who thought we'd be 9-0? Why not aim for the national championship? Miracles do happen - just look at the Boston Red Sox.
Anonymous (November 9, 2004 @ 1:04pm):
The Red Sox aren't a miracle, they bought a team and made a legitimate run.
I think the Badgers are a hell of a team, and it will (hopefully) be great to watch them play in the Rose Bowl as it has been the past three times. If they do go to the Orange Bowl, like Mike said, USC, Auburn or OU will need to lose (2 of them).
Barring that unlikely chain of events (considering Oklahoma will likely play Nebraska in the B12 Championship game), it's time to just be satisfied with a fantastic season. I agree they need to be above Cal and Texas, but not the other three.
Nothing wrong with a Rose Bowl though.
-Klemz, Herald Sports
Anonymous (November 9, 2004 @ 10:32pm):
I'm just saying that we shouldn't stop believing. It CAN still happen. All the teams ahead of us have been very close to losing to inferior teams this season. The Badgers still have a slim but legitimate shot at the National Championship game. Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Anonymous (November 10, 2004 @ 10:18am):
"Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?"
Yes. Also when pigs flew and hell froze over.
