CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2, 2015 ■ VOLUME 6, ISSUE 4 COVER STORY DAVID STLUKA DAVID HIS TURN, HIS TIME Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: A talented Wisconsin running back is ready to step into the spotlight after learning the craft from great ones who’ve come before him. FEATURES FOOTBALL IN [FOCUS] COORDINATED EFFORT The week's best photos Get to know Dave Aranda and Joe BY THE NUMBERS KELLI GRASHEL Rudolph (left), the men who call the Facts and figures on UW shots for the Badgers on defense and offense, respectively. WHAT TO WATCH Where to catch the Badgers ASK THE BADGERS LUCAS AT LARGE First day of school traditions OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS BADGERING Drew Connor (Men’s Soccer) Much will be made of Leo Musso’s small size — he stands 5-foot-10 — STLUKA DAVID INSIDE FOOTBALL but the Wisconsin junior is focused Badgers embrace technology on his big opportunity at safety. INSIDE -SCROLLVOLLEYBALL FOR MORE­ Lessons to be learned Wisconsin Athletic Communications Kellner Hall, 1440 Monroe St., Madison, WI 53711 VIEW ALL ISSUES Brian Lucas Director of Athletic Communications Julia Hujet Editor/Designer Brian Mason Managing Editor Mike Lucas Senior Writer Matt Lepay Columnist Jerry Mao Video Production Amy Eager Advertising Drew Pittner-Smith Distribution Contributors Paul Capobianco, Tam Flarup, Kelli Grashel, A.J. Harrison, Brandon Harrison, Patrick Herb, Diane Nordstrom Photography David Stluka, Neil Ament, Greg Anderson, Bob Campbell, Pam Ruschell, Cal Sport Media, Icon Sportswire Cover Photo: David Stluka Problems or Accessibility Issues? [email protected] © 2015 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. All rights reserved worldwide. LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS ■ UWBADGERS.COM Musso embracing his big opportunity fter Paul Chryst accepted was memorable from the stand­ and fifth-year senior Peniel Jean. the University of Pitts­ point that it took place in front Musso ended up with more tack­ Aburgh’s head coaching of 105,826 fans at the fabled les on special teams (six) than at job, he brought three Wisconsin Horseshoe, Ohio Stadium, in defensive back (five). assistant coaches with him, in­ Columbus. The Badgers opened Reflecting on 2014, his third cluding Joe Rudolph, and hired a with five defensive backs against year in the program, Musso said, strength coach, Todd Rice, with the Buckeyes. Musso, then a “At end of the day my motto has strong ties to the Madison area. redshirt freshman, joined Sojourn always been to control what you Rice’s brother, Pat Rice, was the Shelton, Darius Hillary, Michael can control and make the most uber-successful head coach at Caputo and Dezmen Southward of your opportunities. Whether I Waunakee High School. All of in the secondary. was getting reps with the ones, these local connections factored “I remember walking out of the twos or the scout team, I into Leo Musso’s decision-mak­ locker room and it was like a big knew I had to make sure that ing process as a recruit. valley,’’ Musso recalled. “I was I was doing the right thing and Musso seriously considered Pitt standing out there and it was like that was about being in the right but after UW coach Bret Biele­ one of those video games. I was place at the right time.’’ ma upped the ante with a full watching Braxton Miller at quar­ Since then, Musso’s fortunes scholarship offer, he accepted terback and Carlos Hyde running have been tied to Tanner McE­ an opportunity to stay close to up the gut and you have to make voy, who started the first six home and play for the Badgers. a play and tackle him. That was a games at quarterback last year Musso was part of one of the crazy, crazy game. It was my sec­ before relinquishing the position smallest recruiting classes, 12 ond year of playing defense and to Joel Stave. When UW athletic tendered players, in recent mem­ I was still trying to figure things director Barry Alvarez took over ory; a class that was assembled out.’’ the team as the interim head by Bielema and just three as­ coach for the Outback Bowl, sistants: Chris Ash, Charlie Par­ “I LOVE GETTING INTO THE one of the first things he did was tridge and Thomas Hammock. move McEvoy into a starter’s role BOX WITH THE FRONT SEVEN The Badgers were in the at safety. And that’s where McEv­ GUYS AND TAKING ON A BIG, midst of a major staff turnover, a oy played the entire spring. common occurrence in college 333-POUND PULLING GUARD, “It was one of those things football. Ash was Musso’s first THAT’S FUN,’’ CLAIMED THE where you had to keep working position coach; Bill Busch was 5-10, 194-POUND MUSSO. and keep playing and wherever his second; Daronte’ Jones is his the chips may fall that’s where third. And, yes, Musso, the for­ The Buckeyes won, 31-24. they fall,’’ said Musso, who took mer Waunakee tailback, is finally Musso had five tackles, includ­ a pragmatic approach to how the going to get that chance to play ing a TFL. But his playing time Badgers were planning on uti­ for a Chryst-coached team. Mus- dwindled and he had only three lizing McEvoy, whether at safety so will be starting at safety when more tackles the remaining eight or wide receiver which is where Wisconsin takes on Alabama in games. At the beginning of last he has spent a majority of the its season opener Saturday. season, he was slowed by a ham­ practices during training camp. This will be his second start; string injury. That dropped him “Credit to him. He’s an awesome, the first came in 2013, and it behind freshman Lubern Figaro awesome player.’’ LUCAS AT LARGE PAGE 1 OF 2 LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS ■ UWBADGERS.COM BOB CAMPBELL Because the 6-foot-6, Musso knows that he has plen­ smash-mouth football by featur­ 231-pound McEvoy, a former ty of help. “The front seven gets ing its one-two tailback punch prep receiver, is filling a need on great pressure,’’ he said. “The of Derrick Henry (6-3, 242) and offense ― he’s still expected to corners are locking down and Kenyan Drake (6-1, 210). How get reps on defense, too ― it cre­ Mike (Caputo) is doing a great does Musso compensate for his ated an opening at safety. Figaro job communicating with me. lack of size? “I try to get as low had the first crack but he was Everyone else has a hard job and as I can and use it to my ad­ eventually beaten out by Mus- they’re making my job a lot eas­ vantage,’’ he said. “Being 5-10 so who had more interceptions, ier. Obviously, it helps with film definitely helps my cause in that by far, than anyone else during work to know where you have to aspect. In terms of people look­ camp. Prodded to explain his be at the right time, but I’ve got ing at me, they might think size ball skills, Musso shrugged and to give credit to the rest of the is a factor. But I don’t think it is.’’ said, “I really don’t know how defensive unit.’’ What about the physical mis­ to.’’ The Captain, in particular, has match between Musso and Al­ At Waunakee, he was used been influential. That would be abama’s receivers, specifically exclusively as a running back Caputo. “He’s awesome,’’ Musso 6-6, 242-pound tight end O.J. and “I came here not knowing said. “Anybody who works with Howard? “If it’s a bigger guy, a lick of defense’’ before find­ Mike is going to come out a bet­ there are different ways you can ing free safety to his liking. “I ter player … he’s pretty much handle the situation,’’ said Mus- love getting into the box with the always intense. We were in the so, suggesting it’s about position­ front seven guys and taking on DB room and he was drawing up ing and leverage “depending on a big, 333-pound pulling guard, concepts that our offense runs what kind of route is run, what that’s fun,’’ claimed the 5-10, and what to expect on certain kind of coverage you’re in’’ which 194-pound Musso. “I also love plays. He’s one of those guys “changes your alignment and being in the back end ― trying to that is wired and very passionate where you are on the ball.’’ read the quarterback and trying and I love him for it.’’ Find the ball and you’re likely to make a play.’’ Alabama plans on returning to to find No. 19.■ LUCAS AT LARGE PAGE 2 OF 2 BEHIND THE DESK BY BARRY ALVAREZ ■ UW DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS Alabama game brings back memories ’ve got a picture in my office of We trailed 24-7 at halftime. balls, you have a chance to sell Alabama receiver Ray Perkins. I thought Bob Devaney was one your program and let people IIt shows Perkins running with of the greatest coaches of all- know what you’re all about. the ball and me and my bud­ time. But I can tell you that Bear People around here should dies Gordo Coleman and Wayne Bryant was the greatest coach already know what Paul Chryst is Meylen chasing him in the 1967 I’ve ever played against. He flat about, and what he stands for. Sugar Bowl. out-coached us in that bowl I like the way he manages his Someone gave me the picture game.