Badger offense looks to ground Spartans

After losing three straight Big Ten games, the University of Wisconsin football team hopes to rebound this Saturday as it hits the road to take on a flustered Michigan State team. In terms of the national picture, this Saturday’s matchup is far less critical than many anticipated back in late August. Both teams entered the 2002 season with high expectations and were slated by many experts as preseason favorites to win the Big Ten title. As it stands currently, the Spartans are 3-4, with a lone conference victory against a low-profile Northwestern team. Similar to the Spartans, the Badgers (5-3) have struggled over the course of the last several weeks. Having gone undefeated throughout the non-conference schedule, Wisconsin has stumbled against conference opponents and has yet to chalk up a victory in Big Ten action. Although the Big Ten season is still young, both teams are in dire need of a win this weekend. Both UW and MSU know that a win this week could be a pivotal point in their respective seasons and could potentially impact post-season bowl hopes.

“This game is important for a number of reasons,” said freshman receiver Jonathan Orr. “Most importantly, we need this game to turn around the rest of our season, and we can do that by going into East Lansing and winning.”

Despite the fact that Wisconsin has dropped three straight games, that record does not necessarily reflect the team’s level of achievement. With the exception of a fourth-quarter meltdown at Indiana, Wisconsin has played relatively well in its last three games. Wisconsin’s average margin of defeat against Penn State, Indiana and Ohio State is a meager 3.7 points per game. The Badgers have been competitive in each game right up until the very end, and they could perhaps be undefeated had it not been for several late key plays.

While Saturday’s loss to No. 4 Ohio State discouraged the Badger faithful, the Wisconsin coaching staff has reason to be optimistic. Wisconsin head coach Barry Alvarez felt last Saturday’s performance was the team’s best thus far.

“We probably played our best football game Saturday,” Alvarez commented. “Now none of us are happy that we lost or happy with a moral victory, but we played a complete football game.”

Much of what impressed Alvarez had to do with the fact that the offense was able to establish a sound running game. The running game was as effective as it has been all season. Sophomore tailback Anthony Davis out-rushed OSU freshman sensation Maurice Clarett in running for 145 yards on 25 carries, his highest rushing total since the season opener against Fresno State.

Wisconsin’s rushing attack will be a critical part of the Badger offense this weekend against a shaky Michigan State run-defense that gave up 389 yards in last week’s 27-7 loss to Minnesota. In conference play, opponents are averaging a solid 242.6 yards on the ground against the Spartans. Exploiting MSU’s vulnerable run-defense will not only give Davis an opportunity to make big plays, it will also help to open up Wisconsin’s passing attack. Assuming the Spartan defense keys on the shifty Davis, freshman wide-outs Orr and Brandon Williams may face softer coverage than they have in previous games.

Although Spartan Stadium is never an easy environment for visiting teams to play, the Badgers have fond memories of their last trip to East Lansing. In 2000, backup quarterback Jim Sorgi threw his first touchdown as a Badger to Big Ten record-holding receiver Lee Evans en route to a 17-10 victory. And while Evans will not be playing for the remainder of the 2002 season, Sorgi may make his first start of the year due to a concussion suffered by senior starting quarterback Brooks Bollinger.

Filling in for Bollinger last Saturday, Sorgi looked impressive, throwing for 137 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown pass to fellow Michigan native Orr. For both Sorgi and Orr, this weekend’s game in East Lansing has a high level of personal significance. Both grew up in the Great Lakes state and have a number of family members and friends living only a short distance away from East Lansing.

“I wouldn’t be telling the truth if I said I wasn’t a little excited about the fact that I’m playing back in Michigan,” said Orr.

And although Orr has reason to be eager about competing in his home state for the first time in a Badger uniform, he acknowledges the importance of maintaining his composure.

“We’re still going down there focused,” Orr said. “Winning is the most important thing.”

Given that both teams are desperate for a win this weekend, Saturday night’s showdown in East Lansing looks to be an exciting one. With potential bowl implications on the line, neither Wisconsin nor Michigan State can afford another conference loss. The question is, which team is going to take a step forward toward a postseason bowl appearance?