Led by quarterback Jim Sorgi, the University of Wisconsin football team went into Champaign, Ill., looking to prove themselves to the Big Ten, to the nation and to each other. Heading to Illinois as a team riddled with questions about its skill and integrity, the Badgers left Memorial Stadium with respect, confidence and a response to many of their toughest critics.

After an impressive first three drives — drives that Badger players and coaches were trying hard not to call perfect — the UW offense failed to score another point before halftime. Coming out of the locker room stoked to a 21-10 lead, they took control of the ball at their own 30-yard line.

Quarterback Jim Sorgi was poised to regain the form he had shown earlier in the game, but on a third down pass intended for Lee Evans, Sorgi was rushed by defensive end Zach Gray and after releasing the ball was driven to the turf in a hit that left him struggling to breathe on the 25-yard line.

The belief that Sorgi would not return was floating around the press box and the UW sideline, as Matt Schabert took the field for Wisconsin’s second drive of the half. Sorgi’s resiliency has been tested in the past and his durability questioned. As a starter, many critics have wondered aloud not “what if he goes down” but “when will it be.” With the prospect of having his second-string quarterback finish out the team’s first Big Ten game of the season, Badgers’ head coach Barry Alvarez was left standing on the sideline wondering how he might change his game plan, while Sorgi was left contemplating a return.

“I was getting back into the game,” Sorgi said after the game. “I had my doubts because I couldn’t really stand up straight and I was having a hard time breathing, but there was really nothing that was going to keep me out of the game.”

And so was born a new respect for the lanky fifth-year quarterback, whose heart and desire had been previously debated. After sitting out one series, Sorgi returned with an emphatic statement that would quiet his doubters and the Illini faithful. Even UW quarterback coach Jeff Horton doubted Sorgi’s return, and offensive coordinator Brian White was planning on running his offense through Matt Schabert for the rest of the game.

“Jeff [Horton] didn’t think he was going to come back,” White said. “It was one series and then all of a sudden he was back in there. To be honest with you, I didn’t know he was even going, and then he was in the huddle.”

Sorgi was in the huddle calling the play that would start the gutsiest series of his career. With a bruised sternum and a battered throwing hand, the co-captain showed he was a leader of action and not of words.

A 75-yard bomb to Brandon Williams proved he was back, and a 5-yard touchdown run on the next play added an exclamation point to that sentiment. Sorgi’s second touchdown of the game put the Badgers up 28-13 and capped a two-play, 80-yard drive.

“It was a gutsy run; it wasn’t a gutsy call. I wasn’t the one getting whacked,” White said. “You’re in a game were that was a critical touchdown. Momentum was definitely with Illinois and Jim really played a gutsy football game today.”

Sorgi played with the reckless abandon of his predecessor, Brooks Bollinger, and with the rugged tenacity of Mike Samuel.

It wasn’t a typical Jim Sorgi game. He threw only 12 passes, completing seven, and ran the ball four times, two of which resulted in scores. He didn’t make any mistakes — no fumbled snaps, no overthrown interceptions, no turnovers. Sorgi apparently learned from the 2003 non-conference season, and he has realized how to win tough football games. His only hiccup on the day was an interception, which was called back due to penalty.

“[I’m] really pleased with Jim.” Coach Alvarez said. “He took a pretty good shot, bruised his sternum and just had a hard time throwing, but [he] bounced back and answered. He did what he had to do.”

Sorgi did exactly what he had to do in winning the first of his Big Ten tests this season. He showed the maturity that comes with being a fifth-year senior and he made it through the biggest gut check of his career.

“You know Sorg — he just bounces back whenever we need him,” offensive tackle Morgan Davis said. “He came back for us here today.”

Sorgi admitted that he has been lucky with his injuries this season, so far. Last Wednesday in practice, a defensive back stepped in front of his throwing motion, and Sorgi smacked his throwing hand “pretty much as hard as you could.” The injury still lingered as Sorgi headed into the game against Illinois, but the adrenaline of Big Ten football took the pain away.

“I think it was the best way to hit (my hand) because any other way I think [that I’d] break something,” Sorgi said. “God was with me on that day also, and I guess I’m living right because he just can’t seem to put me down.”

Sorgi played with pain all day but wouldn’t be denied his first Big Ten win of the season. With efficient play and a toughness no one thought he had, Sorgi left Champaign with newfound respect and a Badger victory.