Having lost four of its last five games, the University of Wisconsin football team hopes to gain some momentum this Saturday against the Fighting Illini of Illinois. This Saturday’s matchup at Camp Randall features two teams desperately fighting to keep postseason bowl hopes alive.
Both Wisconsin and Illinois have struggled in conference play thus far, posting a combined 3-7 record. Although a conference title is unattainable at this point for either team, a win this weekend is crucial and could be a potential springboard to a postseason bowl bid.
The Wisconsin football program is coming off of one of the most discouraging weekends in recent years. After losing quarterbacks Brooks Bollinger and Jim Sorgi to injury in last Saturday’s 20-3 loss at Iowa, matters were made worse when starting tailback Anthony Davis was stabbed in the thigh early Sunday morning in Madison. While Sorgi has returned to practice this week, Bollinger and Davis’ status for Saturday’s game remains uncertain.
If Davis is unable to play this Saturday, true freshman Dwayne Smith will make his first start of his collegiate career. Smith has been a pleasant surprise for the Badger offense this season, rushing for 404 yards and scoring four touchdowns.
Smith, an Illinois native, is prepared to step in as the Badgers’ No. 1 rushing option and is confident that Wisconsin’s rushing attack will be effective regardless of whether or not Davis is cleared to play.
“I’ve been working hard all year, and I know I have the support of the coaches and my teammates,” Smith said.
Despite a disappointing rushing performance against Iowa, Wisconsin plans to establish the run against an Illinois defense that gave up an astounding 315 rushing yards to Larry Johnson and the Penn State offense in last Saturday’s 18-7 defeat. Illinois’ rush defense ranks ninth in the Big Ten and is a major weakness on a team that lost just one regular-season game a year ago.
While it is important for UW to establish a sound running game, the receiving corps will play a critical role in offensive coordinator Brian White’s scheme. Freshman wideouts Jonathon Orr and Brandon Williams will likely be key factors in the Badger offensive game plan and must make significant contributions in order for the running game to be effective.
Orr, Wisconsin’s leading receiver, has filled in admirably for injured superstar Lee Evans, hauling in 42 catches for 742 yards. Last weekend was the first time in five games that an opponent was able to keep Orr out of the end zone.
Passing on Illinois’ veteran defensive backs, however, will not be an easy task for the Badgers. The Illini secondary features senior cornerback Eugene Wilson, who received All-American honors last year and has continued to perform consistently this season. At the other corner is Christian Morton, who finished second in the country last year with 26 pass deflections. Both Orr and Williams will have their work cut out for them in escaping the talented Illinois secondary.
In spite of the frustration Wisconsin has experienced over the course of the past several days, Smith is optimistic and feels the Badgers have done a good job in maintaining their focus.
“It’s not a distraction for this team at all,” Smith said. “We’re looking forward to going into Illinois and becoming bowl-eligible.”
In order for Wisconsin to qualify for a respectable bowl, the Badgers will most likely have to win the remainder of their games. A win Saturday against Illinois would be a huge step in pursuit of a postseason appearance and is extremely important with regard to overcoming the frustrating concerns that have recently plagued the program.
