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Badger seniors set up Camp for final time

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Also by Kevin Hagstrom:

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Sophomores to play for U.S.A. (December 6, 2007)
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by Kevin Hagstrom

Friday, November 9, 2007

This is it. Saturday marks the end of the road at home for the 2007 senior class, and what better way to conclude it than by playing bitter rival Michigan and retiring legendary Wisconsin running back Ron Dayne's number.

"It'll be an emotional day for us," senior wide receiver Paul Hubbard said. "It's the seniors’ last day at home, and who better to have than Michigan come into our own backyard and playing.

"It's a big game for myself, and for everybody."

To add more emotion and fire to what will already be a memorable afternoon for Wisconsin (7-3, 3-3 Big Ten), senior wide receiver Luke Swan, who tore his hamstring in early October against Illinois and has been on crutches since, will attempt to walk unaided during the Senior Day Introductions.

"I’d be so amped if he did that," Hubbard said. "If I see him walking out of that tunnel without those crutches, I think that would do so much for the team."

Unlike last season, when the likes of Joe Thomas, John Stocco and Mark Zalewski, to name a few, went out with a nonconference matchup against Buffalo, this year's senior class gets an opportunity to go out with a bang, according to Hubbard.

For others, the significance of the game hasn't sunk in just yet.

"I haven't really thought about it like that," said senior tight end Andy Crooks, who has been slowed much of the season with a nagging hamstring injury. "Sure, after the game it will feel different probably, but for now it's just another game."

After Hubbard went down with an injury of his own, it was Swan who played for his friend. Now with Swan on the sidelines for his final game at Camp Randall, every catch Hubbard makes Saturday will be for the both of them.

"[Hubbard] always said go out and play for me, when he was hurt," Swan said. "Now he's doing the same for me.

"Hopefully he catches a bunch of balls Saturday."

It will be up to quarterback Tyler Donovan to make that connection happen, in what also will be his last game before his home state fans.

Aforementioned untimely injuries to key players and some early- to mid-season struggles on defense have led to unfamiliar territory for what could inevitably end up being the winningest class in UW history. It's the first time they have endured three losses through 10 games. However, no one is going to let that get in the way of Saturday's festivities.

"Nothing that we wanted to occur for us this season has happened so far," Hubbard said. "But we're not going to stop playing because of it."

Winners of eight straight, Michigan (8-2, 6-0) is led by a proficient and prolific offensive attack that, after a series of injuries, is finally all out on the field at the same time.

Senior running back Mike Hart is back in full-go, indicated by his 110 yards on 15 carries against Michigan State last weekend. He missed two-and-a-half games with an ankle injury. And quarterback Chad Henne returned from a shoulder injury last weekend that has sidelined the senior three times. Thus far, Hart has amassed 100 yards on the ground in every game, and has 1,188 yards on the season.

"With a player like that, you've just got to try and contain him and keep him away from the big play," sophomore safety Shane Carter said.

Junior Mike Newkirk will make the switch back from defensive end to the position he started the year at and the position he prefers on the defensive line: tackle. The move became necessary following the season-ending injury to starter Jason Chapman. Wherever Newkirk is lined up, however, he's not too concerned about one of the top running threats in the nation.

Hart is "not Superman back there. He can be stopped just like everybody else," Newkirk said.

In addition to Hart, Henne has arguably the best receiving tandem in the nation in Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington.

"Jack (Ikegwuonu) was telling me that those receivers are the best there is," said freshman cornerback Aaron Henry, who will get the start in place of the injured Allen Langford. "Manningham runs great routes, has great hands, while Arrington is a huge target."

It will be up to him and Ikegwuonu to shut down the talented duo. Henry isn't afraid.

"It's another day in the park," Henry said.

If nothing else, whether Wisconsin goes out on top or not, the experience for these seniors was worth every minute.

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Anonymous (November 9, 2007 @ 9:12am):

Hart isn't fullspeed yet, he had to leave in the 4th against Michigan state because his ankle was bothering him.

Anonymous (November 9, 2007 @ 12:51pm):

Michigan is Wisconsin's "bitter rival?" Yeah, yeah...get in line. After Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Michigan State the Badgers can take a number along with Illinois, Iowa, and everybody else who considers a team that beats them four out of five times a "bitter rival".

Anonymous (November 9, 2007 @ 8:54pm):

Now there is a quintessential Ann Arbor snob.

Seriously, get over yourself.

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