[media-credit name=’JEFF SCHORFHEIDE/Herald photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]In these days, a fifth-year senior at a Big Ten school is a rarity. The leadership and knowledge of these individuals can offer much to the underclassmen on the team. Both on and off the field No. 97, Paul Standring, is able to bring this experience to a relatively young team.

After suffering from an injury last season, Standring is proving his versatility this year by straying from his designated punter position.

"I want to get out on the field," Standring said. "It’s my last year. I’m just trying to give it my best shot."

So far, he has been doing just that.

Participating as a special teamer in six games to date, Standring has recorded five tackles.

Standring, much like the rest of the Badger fans is "hoping to get back on that winning streak" when the team returns home to Camp Randall Stadium to face Northern Illinois this Saturday.

"On the sidelines [at home], the atmosphere is crazy," Standring said. "But when I’m out there during the middle of the play, I try and block out everything and do the task of the play."

Five years ago, Standring came to Wisconsin as an all-state athlete. His broad athletic ability is clear with just a glance at his high school résumé.

Playing on both sides of the ball as a quarterback, defensive back, kicker and punter, it’s hardly a surprise he was once voted USA Today National Player of the Week in 2001.

Football has been a part of Standring’s life since he was a little kid. His father was a punter at Notre Dame and his uncles played at Miami and Illinois. On top of that, his brother was a punter at Northwestern.

"I played other positions in high school, but my brother played in the Big Ten as well," Standring said. "He said I had the potential to punt at a Big Ten school like this."

Although college football has always been part of his life, he still enjoys their support at games.

"It was nice to have my family there," Standring said in reference to The Citadel game this season when he recorded a career-high two tackles.

By playing different positions throughout this season, Standring has been able to fully understand the power of special teams.

"The other guys [on special teams], they’re a great help," Standring said. "When I first started out I could tell."

"It’s funny that I’m going to be on the punt unit and not even be the punter," added Standring. "Everyone’s been real great about it. They’re excited for me to get out there, too."

After the past two difficult games on the road, Standring, along with the rest of the special teams, have been practicing hard to change the pace of this next game.

"The special teams are working hard in practice," starting kicker Taylor Mehlhaff said. "We need to be big on field position, whether it’s on punting or kickoffs. We need to take advantage when we have the chance."

"During practice it feels like we have more energy," Standring said. "There is more hitting going on. People are getting angrier. We need to improve each day."

In the game this Saturday against Northern Illinois, Standring is sure to be seen helping out special teams across the board. He will be starting on kickoff, kick return and punt return.

Northern Illinois is a huge game this Saturday. Coming off two losses, the Badgers are anxious to play at Camp Randall.

"We’d love to get a win," starting punter Ken DeBauche said. "That’s our one goal, the most important goal."

"We need to put a game together where our offense, defense and special teams are able to excel," DeBauche added.

"All three of us are always trying to push each other," Standring said in reference to DeBauche and Mehlhaff. "It’s usually something little because we’ve been around punting so much. We always try and help each other out."