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Big Ten Title Matchup is about the Big Play

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2016-big-ten-championship-logoPenn State has been the best big play offense in the country.  Wisconsin has been one of the best big play defenses in the nation.  The two teams will hook up Saturday night in the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The Nittany Lions boast the Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Year in running back Saquon Barkley to go along with big play quarterback Trace McSorley.

It’s McSorley that has been at the forefront of Penn State’s playmaking prowess.  Twenty of the 26 plays of 40 or more yards have come from McSorley finding Penn State receivers.  He’s willing to throw into coverage because his receivers make plays.

The Badgers are as well equipped defensively to contest McSorley and his band of playmaking threats. [Read more…]

Rutgers hires former Badger Henry

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Motion WRutgers head football coach Chris Ash has named Aaron Henry assistant defensive backs coach on Monday.

Henry played for Wisconsin from 2007-11, playing for Ash the final two seasons and serving as a graduate assistant at Arkansas with Ash.

At Wisconsin, Henry appeared in 52 games and made 32 starts, compiling 181 tackles, including seven for loss with 4.5 sacks, seven interceptions and 23 passes defensed.  He helped lead the Badgers to three consecutive Big Ten titles, including victories in each of the first two Big Ten Championship games.  He was part of three Wisconsin teams that became the first Big Ten program to play in the Rose Bowl three straight years since the 1976-78 seasons.

Henry spent the last two seasons as a defensive graduate assistant focusing on the secondary at Arkansas.

Wisconsin runs through Nebraska on the way to Pasadena

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Last week, many were questioning whether the (then) 7-5 Wisconsin Badger Football team deserved a spot in the Big Ten Title Game.  After Saturday’s 70-31 win over Nebraska at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the Badgers validated their appearance and punched their ticket to a third straight Rose Bowl.

Wisconsin will take on #6 Stanford, the Pac-12 Champions, January 1st in Pasadena.   The Badgers will be the first Big Ten team since the 1977 to 1979 Michigan Wolverines to play in three straight Rose Bowls.

Wisconsin did all their damage on the ground.  The Badgers piled up 539 rushing yards, the most ever given up by a Nebraska team.  Melvin Gordon racked up 216 yards on 9 carries, Montee Ball added 202 yards on 21 carriers while James White added 109 yards on 15 carries.  The game marked the 2nd time Wisconsin had 3 players rush for over 100 yards and was the first time 2 players hit the 200 yard plateau.  The Badgers also set a school record with 8 rushing TDs.

[Read more…]

Badgers face Nebraska in Big Ten Championship game (AUDIO)

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The Wisconsin Badgers get a second chance to beat Nebraska this season and this time, it’s for the Big Ten Championship and a trip to

Big Ten Trophy

the Rose Bowl. 

When the teams met back on Sept. 29, the Badgers rushed for only 56 yards on 41 carries.  Everything went their way early and they built a 17-point lead before caving and falling 30-27 to the Cornhuskers. 

Joel Stave was the quarterback back then, taking over for the benched Danny O’Brien.  Stave and the Badgers led it 27-10 before the Huskers mounted their comeback.

Stave is out himself now and this time it’s the turn of 5th year senior Curt Phillips.  He’ll try to lead the Badgers to the Big Ten title and a trip to the Rose Bowl.

AUDIO: Bret Bielema on Curt Phillips trying to lead the Badgers to the Rose Bowl. :38

The Badgers beat Michigan State in last years Big Ten title game and those that were along for the ride will have gained some valuable experience.  Phillips isn’t a part of that group.  Last season, Phillips didn’t even make the trip. [Read more…]