QB Scott Tolzien was a pleasant surprise for the Badgers in 2009

Charlie Healy

Football

After a lackluster 7-6 2008 season, the Wisconsin Football team was looking to turn things around in 2009. Head Coach Bret Bielema later said one of the season goals was to “re-establish Wisconsin Football”. In August, most fans would have been very happy with a 9-3 season and a win over a ranked opponent in a bowl game. However, it’s those three losses and the location of the bowl game that has Badger fans and players desiring more.

A second-half collapse against Ohio State and Iowa along with a heart-breaking loss at Northwestern sent Wisconsin to Orlando for the fourth time in five seasons. Those are the negatives.

A 4-0 record in non-conference play, winning the axe for the sixth straight year against Minnesota in the first Big Ten game in their new outdoor stadium, upsetting #14 Miami in the Champs Sports Bowl, winning ten games for just the sixth time in school history. These are just a few of the positives.

The emergence of junior quarterback Scott Tolzien and sophomore running back John Clay as offensive weapons made many people take notice of a powerful Wisconsin offense that struggled the year before. Clay went on to earn the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year award after leading the Big Ten in rushing with 111.3 yards per game.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Wisconsin defense proved its dominance by holding ten teams, including all eight Big Ten opponents to less than 100 yards rushing. Linebacker Chris Borland was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year while leading the team with 46 tackles.

While the three losses hurt, the season was undoubtedly a success. The Badgers final tally on the 2009 season is a record of 10-3 and ranked #16 nationally. In a season that began with so many questions, the only question being asked today is what can this team do for an encore in 2010?