IN [FOCUS] VIEW TO A DRILL Don’t tell the people of Eau Claire it was just a practice. A capac- ity crowd of more than 1,000 jammed the Hobbs Ice Center to take in the No. 3 Badgers’ first skate of the season last Satur- day in the annual Red- White Scrimmage. PHOTO BY RICK MICKELSON/ UW-EAU CLAIRE PHOTOGRAPHY

IN [FOCUS] BRITTANY’S BACK Junior Brittany Ammer- man was back in a big way on opening weekend, putting the No. 4-ranked Badgers on the board in 2013-14 with a goal in last Friday’s 3-0 win over Minnesota State at La- Bahn Arena. Ammerman, who missed most of the 2012-13 season, added two more tallies Saturday, including an impressive short-handed goal (inset). PHOTO BY DAVID STLUKA IN [FOCUS] YOU GOT SERVED Senior Paul Yonga served a 35-yard snipe that broke the back of the net and sent the McClimon Complex crowd into a frenzy during Wisconsin’s 3-2 win over Drake on Tuesday. PHOTO BY STEVE GOTTER

CONTENTS OCTOBER 10, 2013 // VOLUME 4, ISSUE 10

‘THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT HIM’ DEPARTMENTS 26 He may be a freshman, but starting cornerback Sojourn Shelton 12 LUCAS AT LARGE by Mike Lucas already has some big-time supporters in his corner in former UW secondary standouts Scott Starks and Jamar Fletcher. 14 BEHIND THE DESK by Barry Alvarez 16 THE VOICE by Matt Lepay FAMILY MATTERS 18 BY THE NUMBERS 36 Facts and figures on UW Few families have traditions as deeply entrenched at Wisconsin 20 5 THINGS TO WATCH as the Johnsons and the Meuers, Catch the Badgers on TV and the web who are among a number of Bad- gers with family ties at UW. 22 ASK THE BADGERS Athletic family members 24 BADGERING Jake McCabe OPEN SEASON 48 44 INSIDE SPORTS The Badgers have embraced their Football, Volleyball, Hockey, Soccer high preseason expectations, but they get the chance to back them 56 THIS WEEK IN HISTORY up when Northern Michigan comes Outworking the Wildcats to the Kohl Center this weekend.

9

Wisconsin Athletic Communications Kellner Hall, 1440 Monroe St., Madison, WI 53711

SUBSCRIBE TO VARSITY VIEW ALL ISSUES

Brian Lucas Director of Athletic Communications

Julia Hujet Editor

Brian Mason Managing Editor

Mike Lucas Senior Writer

Matt Lepay Columnist

Drew Scharenbroch Video Production

Amy Eager Advertising

Andrea Miller Distribution

Contributors Paul Capobianco, Tam Flarup, Patrick Herb, A.J. Harrison, Diane Nordstrom, Anna Poulter-Hendrickson, Jeremy Wodajo

Photography David Stluka, Greg Anderson, Neil Ament, Paul Capobianco, Icon SMI

Problems or Accessibility Issues? [email protected]

© 2013 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. All rights reserved worldwide. LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS // UWBADGERS.COM Gordon working to come back even better s fast as he is, Melvin Gordon stays that way. a broken ankle. Still, they made it was having trouble catching “It’s not like I’m (Georgia tail- tough on Gordon. Ahis breath. back) Todd Gurley who came in “They were going low and it was Seriously, the Wisconsin tailback with all the hype.” kind of mind-boggling just because who has broken open games with Gurley has been dogged by I didn’t think they would,” said his speed and home run ability, injuries. Gordon, at that, suffered Gordon, citing how defenses tend to was gasping for air after Tuesday’s a scare at Ohio State when he was attack him differently from week to practice, which was not necessarily week. a bad thing. “I just have to realize that, since A little resistance band training tackled after a five-yard gain on the they had some success with it, never hurt. With teammates on final“I’m play good,” of the he third reported quarter Tuesday. and teams will try to cut me down. I’ve both ends of the band, Gordon was “Doinghad to be this assisted extra stuff off the after field. practice been practicing hard for it, so I’ll be challenged to push forward and ex- is helping.” ready in case somebody else tries tend himself physically while main- Taking advantage of last Satur- the same thing.” taining a tight grip on the football. day’s open date in the schedule, Good luck uncovering a trend Trying to describe what he was Gordon conceded “I was a little with Northwestern. The Badgers - off with my footwork and timing” and the Wildcats have played just ing your hardest and you can’t go early-on, but “by the time game day twice since 2006 when P.J. Hill anywhereexperiencing, because he said, (the “You’re band) fightis rushed for 249 yards in Wisconsin’s holding you back; it’s almost like You can attach a footnote to 41-9 win at Camp Randall. pulling a sled.” comes around I’ll be fine.” In 2009, Northwestern held The bottom line, he said, is have been” against the Buckeyes, serve at home by holding the Bad- making sure everybody is pulling footwork. Reflecting on “what could gers to just 99 net rushing yards in their weight, so to speak, when the close and I just got tripped up by a 33-31 victory. In 2010, Wisconsin Badgers return to action Saturday myhe said, foot.” “Four or five times I was ran over the ‘Cats, 70-23, in Madi- afternoon against Northwestern at By close, he meant close to bust- son. Camp Randall Stadium. ing a long run, close to hitting a It was not a coincidence that UW home run, really close. running backs coach Thomas Ham- when asked if he was hungry after “You have to take advantage mock brought out the resistance sitting“Oh, outdefinitely,” the fourth said quarter Gordon of the of the opportunities that you get bands this week. Ohio State loss with a minor injury. because with good teams you’re not Northwestern has forced eight going to get too many,” said Gordon, - redeem ourselves.” who had 15 rushes for 74 yards. His ered three of them. “WeGordon have to showed come out up onfighting the nation to - longest run was 16. fumblesHigh and in five tight games has been and recovthe order al radar prior to playing the Buck- “When you get a crease and miss of the day. “You have to hold the eyes. He was leading the nation in it, who knows? That crease in the ball real tight with guys trying to rushing (156.0 yards per game). He pull and tug at it,” Gordon said. “It’s has since dropped to No. 8 (139.6), until the third quarter; so you have muscle memory training.” and he can live with that. tofirst make quarter the best might of notthose come creases again As far as that goes, he has already “I wasn’t on anybody’s radar when you get them.” committed a few things to memory from the start of the season, so it’s Ohio State has one of the best since the Ohio State game. “Yes, nothing new to me,” he said. “I’m sir, I was close to a couple of those used to not having it (the media nation; or had one until Christian (home runs),” said Gordon, anxious focus), and it’s probably better if it Bryanttackling was defensive lost for backfields the season in with the for his next at-bat.

12 // VARSITY October 10, 2013 Gordon working to come back even better BEHIND THE DESK BY BARRY ALVAREZ // UW DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS Big Ten hockey means big-time opportunity anticipate a lot of excitement by their club hockey program, which this season. I’ve heard Mike talk our fans for Big Ten hockey. Lis- has been very strong, would ever be about the advantages of having so Itening to Mike Eaves talk about ready for the next step. many returning players, including it the other day, I know that he feels I don’t know that answer. But both of his goalies. like his players are really excited to hockey is being played elsewhere in To be honest, I still don’t know play in new venues. the Big Ten footprint. how these hockey coaches deal From the standpoint of name with recruiting. recognition, it’s going to be exciting hockey teams playing in Iowa and When you go out and recruit re- to play Ohio State, Michigan, Michi- Nebraska.I know that I also you know can Nebraska-find junior ally good players, the next thing you gan State and Penn State in addition Omaha has a very solid college know they’re leaving school early to our long-standing rivalry with hockey program. and signing pro contracts. That Minnesota. Add those schools to The Big Ten has added Johns seems to be inevitable. the future non-conference series Hopkins as a men’s lacrosse-only But if you don’t recruit and sign we’ve scheduled with North Dakota, member in 2015 to join the league those players ― for however long Denver and Colorado College and schools that play it: Michigan, Mary- they’re going to stay ― they’ll go other traditional WCHA rivals, and land, Ohio State, Penn State and someplace else and you’ll wind up we will be able to have a top-notch Rutgers. playing against them. schedule every year. I don’t know if some hockey pro- You’re darned if you do, darned if With the Big Ten, fans can iden- you don’t. tify with the schools and I see it as Ten or if there will be any expan- All I know is Mike is happy with a real positive for college hockey, sion.grams But would if you’re be a askingfit with me the about Big the group he has coming back and especially since there will be a lot hockey in this conference, I think it our fans should be excited about more national television exposure has a bright future. watching them play against more for the sport through the Big Ten Everyone feels like we’ve got a Big Ten opponents. Should be fun. Network. good chance to be a very nice team I recently talked with some people from Penn State and they all said that their new $90 million ice arena on campus is just awesome. I believe it will seat over 6,000 and

Growing up in Pennsylvania, II’m know sure how they’ll popular fill it. pro hockey has been in Pittsburgh and Phila- delphia. So there’s no question in my mind Penn State fans will get behind their program. I’ve been asked if there’s any chance for future expansion in Big Ten hockey. I suppose it’s always a possibility. Over the years I’ve had conversa- tions with former Illinois athletic director Ron Guenther on whether

14 // VARSITY October 10, 2013 Big Ten hockey means big-time opportunity THE VOICE BY MATT LEPAY // VOICE OF THE BADGERS After bye, time to say hello again to football have to admit that I enjoy bye When the national pundits talk are less than three hours apart, it weeks. Part of it could be my about good rivalries and crazy is good to see these teams meet Inaturally lazy nature, but it was games, it is unlikely many will men- again. This often-interrupted series fun to sit back and watch nearly 12 tion the Badgers and the Cats, but should be stable for the time being. straight hours of . I in the last couple of decades, there Starting next season, the Badgers took a peek at the Illinois-Nebraska have been some wild ones between and Northwestern will be in the game, and watched with even more these two teams. same division, so fans from both interest as Indiana scored an im- The gut-wrenching loss in 1996, sides can hope for ― if not expect pressive victory against Penn State. followed by a dramatic 27-26 ― more wild games in the coming I found myself glued to the TV UW victory a year later on a Matt years. during the Georgia-Tennessee game, Simply put, this is a huge game. and later took in part of the Flor- seconds. The Wildcats still control their own ida-Arkansas tilt, which featured DavenportA Northwestern field goal double-overtime in the closing destiny in the Legends Division. The former UW assistant coaches Tim win in 2000. A shootout in 2005, Badgers need help in the Leaders, Davis and Brian White for the Ga- when the Wildcats outscored the but regardless of what happens tors, plus ― well, you know ― the Badgers 51-48. On that October with Ohio State, the home team - afternoon, the teams combined for knows full well there is plenty of backs and the staffers who followed 1,189 yards of offense. season remaining, and plenty to Bretfirst-year Bielema head to coach Fayetteville. of the Razor Since I In 2009, a late fumble allowed gain by getting back on track this happen to like everyone involved, I Northwestern to hold off the Bad- weekend. had no real rooting interest. Sorry gers, 33-31. Yes, bye weeks are good. Then to play the role of Switzerland here, In 2010, Wisconsin erupted for again, it seems like it has been but I am telling the truth. 70 points in route to clinching the a month since the Badgers last Moving right along, the North- Big Ten championship. No close- played. western-Ohio State game was as During a beautiful autumn week good as advertised, maybe even a day for the Badgers as they collect- in Madison, it is time to get back to bit better than the hype. game drama, but it was a terrific - football. While the Buckeyes pulled out ence titles. Bring on the Wildcats, and let the the win, the Wildcats continued ed Giventhe first the of fact three that straight the campuses confer season resume. to make a statement that they are no longer a cute little story. This is more than a team full of book- worms who will play a little football in their spare time. For those who have yet to notice, it is time to state what should be obvious ― Northwestern is good. Very good. It is hard to believe that Pat Fitzgerald is in his eighth sea- son as the head coach. The College Football Hall of Famer is just 38 years old, but if ever there is a per-

and Northwestern football. fect fit for a program, it is Fitzgerald

16 // VARSITY October 10, 2013 After bye, time to say hello again to football BY THE NUMBERS

MEN'S HOCKEY In five of its first 10 games of the 2013-14 season, UW will skate against teams ranked in the top five of the pre- season polls, all on the road (No. 4 Boston College for one game, No. 2 Miami and No. 5 Minnesota for two games). 5 6 VOLLEYBALL UW opened a six-match stretch against teams ranked in the top 14 of the national coaches’ poll at No. 10 Nebraska on Oct. 5. The run continues on the road this weekend at No. 12 Ohio State and No. 5 Penn State. 742 MEN'S SOCCER Following Tuesday night’s win over Drake, UW ex- tended its home unbeaten streak to eight matches. Dating back to last season, the Badgers have played 742 minutes of soccer at the McClimon Complex since dropping their last home match. 39.8 FOOTBALL Dating back to 2009, the Badgers have won their last five regular-season games follow- ing a bye week, outscoring their opponents by a combined 243-44 in those games. That’s an average score of 48.6-8.8, or a winning margin of 39.8 points per game.

18 // VARSITY October 10, 2013

5 THINGS TO WATCH OCTOBER 10 - 16

FRIDAY 10/11 • 6PM • INSIDEBADGERSPORTS.COM ROAD TEST [VOLLEYBALL AT NO. 12 OHIO STATE] 1 The No. 19-ranked Badgers continue their six-match stretch against ranked teams when they travel to No. 12 Ohio State on Friday for a 6 p.m. first serve in St. John Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The match streams live on InsideBadgerSports.com.

FRIDAY 10/11 • 7PM • INSIDEBADGERSPORTS.COM B1G OPENER [MEN’S SOCCER VS. INDIANA] 2 Wisconsin welcomes 2012 NCAA champion Indiana to McClimon on Friday for the Badgers’ Big Ten home opener. The match starts at 7 p.m. and steams live on InsideBadgerSports.com.

FRIDAY 10/11 • 7PM • BTN.COM FIRST FACEOFF [MEN’S HOCKEY VS. NORTHERN MICHIGAN] 3 Third-ranked Wisconsin opens its 2013-14 season with a home series against Northern Michigan this Friday at the Kohl Center. This season marks the start of Big Ten hockey action and the game will stream live on BTN.com.

SATURDAY 10/12 • 2:30PM • ABC HOMECOMING AT CAMP RANDALL [FOOTBALL VS. NORTHWESTERN] Wisconsin looks for its fourth-consecutive home win over North- western when the 19th-ranked Wildcats come to Camp Randall 4 Stadium for UW’s annual Homecoming game at 2:30 p.m. ABC and ESPN2 will broadcast the game, with Sean McDonough, Chris Spielman and Shannon Spake on the call.

SATURDAY 10/12 • 6PM • BTN.COM ROAD WARRIORS [WOMEN’S SOCCER AT ILLINOIS] 5 The Badgers take to the road for their only match of the week when they travel to Champaign, Ill., to face the Fighting Illini on Saturday at 6 p.m. Fans can watch live on BTN.com as the Badgers try to keep pace in the Big Ten race.

20 // VARSITY October 10, 2013 2

4 ASK THE BADGERS QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Other than you, who is the best athlete in your family?

MORGAN PAIGE // SENIOR // WOMEN’S BASKETBALL “The best athlete in my family besides myself is my mother, Sherryl. She played three sports in high school and bas- ketball at Mount Mercy University. I would say my brother (Marcus Paige, who plays basketball at North Carolina) but he only played one sport. Multi-sport is the key here!”

AIDAN CAVALLINI’ // FRESHMAN’ // MEN’S HOCKEY “Tough call. My mom ran track at York University in Toronto. She was a middle-distance runner and also did cross country and ’’ she still runs now. My dad played professional hockey. My earli- est memories are of when he was in Europe, and that’s where he retired. That was really fun and I remember going into the locker room with him and we would just shoot tape balls around and stuff. I think that’s what started my passion and love for the game.”

ZACH BOHANNON // SENIOR // MEN’S BASKETBALL “Best athlete? I’m going to have to say that it’s a tossup. How can you choose between my brothers, who have all or will be starting in college basketball, or my dad, Gordie, who started at quarterback in the Rose Bowl for Iowa?! It sure has made for some competitive backyard games in my life!”

DOMINIQUE THOMPSON // JUNIOR // VOLLEYBALL “I can’t answer that question. It would get me in too much trouble with my family since everyone is athletic. My dad (Darrell Thompson) played football in the NFL, my mom played volleyball in college and my younger sister and brothers are all great athletes as well. I don’t want anyone to get mad at me so I’m going to say they all are great athletes!”

22 // VARSITY October 10, 2013 ’

ZACH BOHANNON // SENIOR // MEN’S BASKETBALL BADGERING JAKE MCCABE » JUNIOR, MEN’S HOCKEY After captaining Team USA to the gold medal at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championships and then contributing to Wisconsin’s late-season surge to the Broadmoor Trophy and an NCAA tournament berth as a sophomore last season, defenseman Jake McCabe serves as an assistant captain for UW in 2013-14. The Buffalo Sabres draft pick returned to his roots when the Badgers held their Red-White Scrimmage in his hometown of Eau Claire, Wis., last Saturday and is focused on helping the No. 3-ranked Badgers get off to a fast start when they open the season Friday and Saturday by hosting Northern Michigan at the Kohl Center. What was it like playing in your hometown last weekend? “Any time you go back to your home rink, it’s really exciting. Playing in a competitive game like that brought back memories for sure. It was nice that Jefferson (Dahl) and I could get a goal. I think the hometown fans enjoyed that. Overall, it was an awesome experience. My family was there; my brother, sister. The (UW-Eau Claire) Blugolds have been pretty important to me the past couple years. My brother has been the captain of that team the past couple years, and last year they won a national championship. So it was extra special for me to give that extra nod to them and be able to help them raise money to continue their program’s success.”

You were captain of the team that won gold at World Juniors last year. What is your role as an assistant captain at UW this season? “I think consistent play is the biggest thing. I’m going to be relied upon in every situation, so I have to bring my best every single game. I’m a team-

shots, contributing to the power play, or just being in that ‘plus’ category firstevery guy, night. so whatever With Frankie it takes (Simonelli) to help the as myteam D partner,win, whether we have it’s ablocking big, veteran group of guys, a lot of upperclassmen. There are so many leaders on this

teamHow thatis the you’ve team really handling got to findthis your year’s role high and expectations? play your role.” “We don’t need polls to understand how good we are. If anything, they show that we have the potential to be that top team and that we have the guys to do it, but I think the biggest focus in our locker room is having a good start. The way we started last year wasn’t acceptable, so we’re going to defend our home ice better this year and hopefuly start out with four points. (Ex- pectations) make it easy to come to the rink excited to get better, excited to take that next step in whatever Coach Eaves has planned for that day. I know that I couldn’t be more excited and I’m speaking for my teammates, as well.”

Your musical skills were on display at last year’s Buckinghams awards show. When did you pick up the guitar? “My senior year of high school I took a semester of it, so I learned the basic chords there and kept a couple songs in my back pocket and brought my guitar here to school my freshman year. Morgan (Zulinick) came in last year, and he’s unbelievable. He’d teach me all these new songs, and of course he lured me into the Buckinghams, so I’m sure we’ll be back there this year. Before that, I’d never performed, ever. It was something else. I was way more nervous than I am playing hockey. Luckily, I had Morgan with me, so that made it a lot easier.”

24 // VARSITY October 10, 2013

DAVID STLUKA DAVID

IN THIS CORNER... Sojourn Shelton hasn’t flinched in the face of a starting assignment as a freshman, and his confidence has inspired votes of confidence from a pair of the best to ever play cornerback for the Badgers

BY MIKE LUCAS UWBADGERS.COM

• fter Wisconsin cornerback Sojourn Shelton ond quarter. He was delivering a message not only broke up a Braxton Miller throw in the end to Spencer but other wideouts. Said Shelton, “I just Azone, a demonstrative Shelton ― Is there any felt like I needed to let them know, ‘Hey, I’m here. It’s other kind? ― hovered over Ohio State wide receiv- not going to be a cakewalk. I’m here to play.”’ Cognizant that his exuberance could have easily between the two players and had words for Shelton. been interpreted differently than it was by the of- er “HeEvan just Spencer. told me An to official calm down,” immediately Shelton stepped said. in- - What was Shelton thinking? Maybe what goes manlike conduct penalty, Shelton said, “It’s a lesson learned.ficial and My the coaches result couldalways have say playbeen with an unsports juice but you have to learn where your limitations are.” wheelaround route comes and around? Spencer On on Ohio a post State’s and Miller first series,threw Two former Wisconsin cornerbacks, Jamar athe touchdown Buckeyes floodedpass to aSpencer zone with who Philly had Brown gotten on be a- Fletcher and Scott Starks, realize that Shelton is still hind the 18-year-old Shelton, a true freshman. very raw, still a work in progress. But they liked the “When I got scored on, Spencer and Philly Brown way he handled himself against the Buckeyes talent- both came up to me and they were talking a lot of ed receiving corps; they liked his chutzpah; and they trash,” Shelton said. “The ref was right there and he liked his resiliency in a hostile road venue. didn’t say a thing. In my mind, I’m thinking, ‘Ok, it’s a Obviously any such endorsement from Fletcher, big game and they’re probably going to let us play.”’ a consensus 2000 All-American, and Starks, a 2004 And woof. Still, there was more behind Shelton’s actions bodes well for Shelton’s future. Fletcher and Starks than mere gamesmanship after that PBU in the sec- first-team All-Big Ten selection, carries weight and-

rank among the finest at their position in UW his

“I’m intrigued by his game,” Fletcher said of Shelton. “He has got sauce on his game, he’s got confidence. There’s just something about him. He’s got flair and I’m anxious to see how he’s going to progress.”

28 // VARSITY October 10, 2013 tory and both went on to NFL careers. lot of these kids now have the opportunity “I’m intrigued by his game,” said Fletcher, a for- “ to enroll in school in January and get to ac- A tually play spring ball,” said Fletcher, who round draft choice of the . “He has was aware Shelton got such a head-start last spring. mer winner and a 2001 first By comparison, Fletcher had no such advantage while making the transition from high school to col- anxiousgot sauce to on see his how game, he’s he’s going got to confidence. progress.” There’s lege competition. justWatching something the aboutway Shelton him. He’s bounced got flair back and after I’m “I don’t know if a lot of people know this but I getting burned early, Starks said, “I was extremely came very close to playing in the Kickoff Classic proud of him, I mean extremely proud. I was getting (against Syracuse) my true freshman year,” Fletch- excited because he didn’t let the one time he got er volunteered. “I was in the two-deep and think I beat affect the rest of his game. He was still making could have played. But, for me, it was probably best plays and staying on top of receivers.” that I didn’t ― I didn’t need to play. Fletcher and Starks can relate to what Shelton “We had some pretty good players in front of me.” is going through in that they experienced similar In 1997, Jason Suttle and LaMar “Soup” Camp- growing pains as freshmen starters. On another lev- bell, both seniors, were Wisconsin’s starting cor- el, Shelton wants someday to relate to Fletcher and nerbacks, which allowed Fletcher to redshirt. After Starks when he says, “I want to be a game-changing Suttle got injured in late October, the decision was cornerback at this school and in the Big Ten.” made to play another true freshman, Donte King, The bar has been raised awfully high. Starks wasn’t afforded the same redshirt option andwho luxury started in the 2001. final His four learning regular curve season was games. acceler- • • • • ated and he was forced into the starting lineup as a true freshman because the Badgers had a void in their secondary. What did Starks learn about him- self during that season? “Character, period,” he said. “It was a struggle from game one all the way through to the end. I

criticism, it didn’t make me want to quit. Instead it madedefinitely me wantgrew toas be a person.a better Even player. when I realized I heard I hadthe to get better if I wanted my team to get better.” One of the most painful recollections for Starks was a one-sided confrontation with Michigan State’s 6-foot-4 Charles Rogers, a sophomore wide - terback Jeff Smoker but they totaled 205 yards and accountedreceiver. Rogers for a couple caught of only touchdowns. five passes from quar “I went into the game with the wrong mental- ity,” Starks said. “I was thinking, ‘I’m just going to have a normal day and I’m going to do my job and go home.’ Charles Rogers became who he was that day.” (Two years later, the took Rogers with the second pick overall in the NFL draft.) “It just let me know regardless who you go against, you have to treat them like it’s Randy Moss out there. You have to treat them like it’s the best receiver you’re going to play against. That’s the only way you’re going to be successful at cornerback.” JOHN FISHER 29 DAVID STLUKA DAVID

Facetime with a legend at the position? That’s what Shelton got with Fletcher on the sideline during his UW debut.

problem with that, so I didn’t notice it a lot (weigh- ing 149) to be honest. “But I did have to learn how to use my body and how to get the bigger guys down. When you’re 149 and you’re trying to tackle some of the big backs I Fletcher remembered weighing “160-ish” when faced my freshman year, it was an adjustment. Once he got on campus. In the 1998 media guide, he was I learned how to use my small frame and take out listed at 5-10, 169 pounds going into his redshirt some legs, it became easier.” freshman season. Shelton weighed 150 last spring The 5-9 Starks was up to 176 pounds by the time but he’s now carrying 172 pounds on his 5-9 frame. he left the UW. He was still running 4.38 in the 40, Starks often played at 149 as a true freshman. along with benching 300 and squatting 455. In the “I had never played DB before, so I didn’t under- 2005 draft, he was a third round pick (87th over- stand that it was really a limitation,” said Starks, who, like Fletcher, was a product of the Hazelwood with the Jags before injuries caught up to him. East High School program in St. Louis. “We weren’t all)Starks of the wasJacksonville never shyJaguars. about He gettingplayed fivehis yearsnose really doing a lot of pressing (press-man coverage) bloodied to get the ball-carrier on the ground. so I wasn’t getting pushed around a lot. Does tackling have to become a top priority for “When it came to the balls in the air, that’s when Shelton? I noticed I needed to get a little more aggressive “I learned way before I got to college, that’s a when I was going for the ball. When it came to tack- want-to,” said Fletcher. “If you want to do it, you’ll ling, I was never afraid to tackle; I never had a big be able to do it. Tackling has to become as impor-

30 // VARSITY October 10, 2013 tant to you as covering. We all want to be great cov- his redshirt freshman season, Fletcher paused and er corners but we also want to be versatile and have said, “I think I faired pretty well” knowing he led an all-around game. the nation with seven interceptions. There were “He (Shelton) is just a true freshman and he’s go- few lows during a three-year career in which he re-

DAVID STLUKA DAVID ing to put on more weight and get stronger and he’s Fletcher and share the school re- going to become a very turned five picks for touchdowns,cord with a Big 21 Ten intercep record.- goodgoing totackler. get more I knowand more confident. I’m sure he’s tions overall. “It’s a playing for coach (Phil) FLETCHER SPECIFICALLY TOLD SHELTON, blessing and you take it Elmassian, you were “DON’T GET TOO HIGH, DON’T GET TOO to heart,” Fletcher said either going to tackle of his Hall of Fame in- or you weren’t going to LOW. DON’T THINK YOU CAN’T GET BET- duction. “Appreciation play.” TER. YOU’RE A FRESHMAN, YOU HAVE A comes to mind. They ap- Elmassian, the sec- preciated what you did ondary coach under LOT OF EXPERIENCING TO DO, A LOT OF for them as well as I ap- Barry Alvarez, is now GROWING UP TO DO. YOU’LL GET THERE.” preciated the opportu- the defensive coordi- nity.” nator at UMass, which On the eve of the just happened to be the opponent for the 2013 sea- UMass game, Fletcher got a chance to address the son opener at Camp Randall Stadium. Fletcher was on campus that weekend to be inducted into the coach Gary Andersen. He was also on the home Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame. sidelinesentire team the onnext the day invitation when Shelton of first-year came up headwith Asked if he could recall the highs and lows from

his first career interception during the Badgers’ WATCH: BADGER BREAKDOWN - NORTHWESTERN

31 45-0 win over the Minutemen. you to play them. Take everything they say and add “I’m big on energy,” said Fletcher, who played for it to your game. Be a student of the game.” the Dolphins, the San Diego Chargers, the Detroit Li- Starks will forever be remembered for one of the ons, the and the biggest moments in UW history when he picked up before retiring in August of 2009. During his nine Kyle Orton’s fumble and returned it for the winning seasons in the NFL, he played in 105 games, includ- touchdown against Purdue. Now living in Jackson- ing 12 starts. ville, he proudly wore his colors while watching the “I just kind of sensed that he (Shelton) is one of Wisconsin-Ohio State game on television. those guys that you don’t have to get ready for a “I wish you could have seen how excited I was game because he’s already ready to play ball. With- every time he (Shelton) was staying on top of a re- out many words being said, he’s ready to show ceiver,” he said. “When he was getting beat, it wasn’t you that he’s coming to do some damage. That was something crazy; he was in the vicinity, ready to something that I took away when I met him.” make a tackle. He opened his hips and ran with the

high, don’t get too low. Don’t think you can’t get bet- Cornerbacks are going to get beat, cliché but true. ter.Fletcher You’re a specificallyfreshman, you told have Shelton, a lot of “Don’t experiencing get too receivers.It’s a fact He of played life on with an aisland lot of thatconfidence.” even Fletcher to do, a lot of growing up to do. You’ll get there. It’s begrudgingly accepted. like life. Don’t let the game get too big for you. Don’t “Just win more than you lose,” he said. “I told him let the game work you ― you work it.” (Shelton) you want to win more downs than you Starks spoke in a similar vein. “Perfect your craft, lose. You might get beat; you might miss a tackle. work at it every single day,” he would advise him. But, hey, you’ve got four quarters and by the time “Make sure you take criticism the right way, make that clock is 00:00 across the scoreboard, you want sure you play your coverages the way they’re telling to know you won more than you lost.” DAVID STLUKA DAVID STLUKA DAVID STLUKA DAVID

Both Fletcher (left) and Starks (cen- ter) believe Shelton can be the next to carry the torch at cornerback.

32 // VARSITY October 10, 2013 DAVID STLUKA “I told him (Shelton) you want to win he couldn’t •keep • • his• eyes off the score- more downs than you lose,” Fletcher said. Wboard.hen Shelton ran off the field in Columbus, Ohio State 31, Wisconsin 24 “You might get beat; you might miss a “I remember watching the clock wind down vividly tackle. But, hey, you’ve got four quarters and seeing the difference was seven points; we lose by seven, it was like, ‘Man, you could have changed and by the time that clock is 00:00 across that,”’ he said. “I never want that feeling again. It’s the scoreboard, you want to know you something that has been sticking with me for awhile ― the dropped pick and the touchdown.” won more than you lost.” Two plays after Shelton had broken up the Miller pass in the end zone intended for Spencer, Miller attacked him again with Devin Smith who got no separation on his route. Moreover, the throw came up short and Shelton, who had leveraged Smith, was in a perfect spot for the interception. It was a gift. But he dropped the ball.

“My hand placement was terrible; I didn’t need SMI SANGER / ICON DAN to jump, either,” said Shelton who won’t turn 19 until Christmas Day. “When the ball was in the air, my mindset was to just get the ball down; there were only 16 seconds left in the half. I realized later it was a play where I could have changed the game.” On the next play, Miller completed a 40-yard touchdown pass to Philly Brown. “I felt terrible; words can’t explain how I felt,” said Shelton, who was consoled after the game by Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier, an All-America candidate. Both attended Plantation High School just outside of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. “He told me af- terwards that he felt like I played a good game.” Over the last two weeks, Shelton and Shazier have been communicating almost daily via text, e-mail or Facebook. “Since Day One, I’ve always looked up to Ryan and it did mean something to me,” Shelton said of the encouragement that Shazi- er passed along. “One day I’d like to be in his posi- tion.” Only at cornerback; Sojourn Shelton is on mis- sion to be game-changer. “In order to do that,” he said wistfully, “you have to catch the ball.”

putting himself in position for interceptions. He canFletcher take their and words Starks to areheart. confident After all, he he’s will here keep to play; he felt like he proved that at Ohio State. “I felt like I belonged out there,” Shelton said.

34 // VARSITY October 10, 2013 DAN SANGER / ICON SMI The first family of Wisconsin athletics? Both the Meuers and Johnsons boast strength in numbers when it comes to their ties to the Badgers BORN TO BE BADGERS The first family of Wisconsin athletics? Both the Meuers and Johnsons boast strength in numbers when it comes to their ties to the Badgers

BY MIKE LUCAS UWBADGERS.COM

sually such things are done on a whim. the Meuer’s chosen path. “As you go through it, you But this may have been more about solidar- • realize how hard it is not only to get into this school U ity and putting their best foot forward as a academically, but to be an athlete here.” family in terms of pledging their school loyalty; nev- Molly Meuer, 30, now living in Denver, and Katy er a secret. Meuer, 28, now living in Minneapolis, both played Before his freshman year, Keegan Meuer got a soccer for the Badgers and set a positive example tattoo along with his older sisters, Molly and Katy. for Keegan and McKenna Meuer. Youngest sis McKenna followed up last summer and “We may be a few years apart,” Keegan said of also got a tat of a Badger claw on her foot. Molly and Katy, “but you could see how they ap- One for all, all for Wisconsin, a Meuer legacy. proached their sport and the hard work and the “It’s an amazing tradition; one that I’m very proud dedication that they put in. They led by example.” to be a part of and keep going,” said Keegan Meuer, Keegan remembered training sessions with Mol- ly and Katy at a Monroe Street facility kitty-corner team. from Camp Randall. They lifted weights together 24,“We now always a fifth-year say, ‘We senior were on born the UW Badgers men’s andhockey we and ran on the skating and soccer treadmills. grew up wanting to go to Wisconsin,”’ said McKenna “When I was 12 and up,” he said, “I got to see how Meuer, 19, a sophomore on the UW women’s soccer hard they worked and it really set the tone for me team. on goal-setting and what it takes to be a college ath- The head of the Meuer clan, Kelly Meuer, got it all lete.” started when he lettered as a Wisconsin soccer play- Kelly Meuer never pushed, even when he was er in the mid to late ‘70s. Kelly’s wife, Sandy, was an coaching the kids in youth soccer. athletic trainer. Sandy is an Andringa. “He kind of stayed in the background,” Keegan Sandy’s brothers, Jeff and Rob, each have won na- said. “If we wanted help and we wanted to seek tional championships in hockey. Jeff Andringa was it out, he was more than happy to help us. But he a defenseman on the 1981 and ’83 teams; Rob And- wanted it to be about us, not him. ringa was a defenseman and captain in 1990. “He didn’t want to force us or push us into any- “It’s a very proud tradition,” Keegan reiterated of thing. He was more hands-off to make sure we en- joyed and loved the sport. You’ve got to do it for yourself; he was a big proponent of that.” big brother ― looking out for me, having me over Sandy Meuer was of the same belief. “She’s been for“The dinner, biggest stuff influence like that,” obviously McKenna issaid. him being my a real trooper,” Keegan said of his mom. “She’d drive “It’s not only nice to just see a friendly face but me and all my buddies down to Chicago once or you actually have family on the same campus with twice a month for travel hockey. you. It makes campus feel like home. “Now little brother Kaeden is playing football “It’s also nice to have someone who’s going and hockey. She has just been very supportive in through the same process and the same things as running us around.” you. He has practice every day like I do. He has Overall, he said his parents have done a “great balancing act between running the business (State Street Brats) while supporting all the kids and get- andstruggles talk me on throughthe ice just things like whenI do on I needthe field. it. He’s my ting us all to where we needed to go.” big“Being brother a fifth-year and I love senior, him and he canwe have kind aof great coach time me Having such a support system has been priceless when we hang out.” to everyone. McKenna will usually hear from Molly or Katy or both after soccer matches, which allows to get under each other’s skin a lot when we were them to catch up on what they’re doing. younger,”It was notshe alwayssaid. that way. “We definitely used “They love it,” she said, “because they always say That would be the norm for most families and that they get to re-live their college soccer days among the unwritten rules of siblings. whenever they talk to me about it.” “It was kind of a tradition in our family ― the It works both ways. older sibling picked on the younger one,” Keegan “I was blessed with a family that went through Meuer observed. “I got the brunt from my older sis- the same things that I’m going through (as a stu- ter Katy. dent-athlete),” McKenna said. “I feel like I could go “When it was my turn to be the older brother, the to any one of them for anything.” Alpha male, I could pick on her (McKenna). For me, On campus, Keegan is her go-to family member. now, it’s cool that I have the opportunity to experi-

38 // VARSITY October 10, 2013 “The biggest influence obviously is him dots between McKenna and Mikayla but … Molly Meuer is about the same age as the oldest being my big brother – looking out for Johnson boy, Doug. me, having me over for dinner, stuff like Katy Meuer is about the same age as Chris John- son, the middle son. that,” McKenna said. “It’s not only nice to Keegan Meuer and Patrick Johnson have been just see a friendly face but you actually playing hockey together since they were 5 or 6. Kaeden Meuer and Meghan Johnson are the have family on the same campus with youngest and two classes apart in high school. you. It makes campus feel like home.” of these family ties than Mark Johnson, the celebrat- edNobody, 1980 U.S. perhaps, Olympian has gottenand the more head fulfillment coach of outthe ence college with her. Wisconsin women’s hockey team. “It’s nice to get closer with your sister now that “It all started with my dad trying to sell hockey to you’re both kind of young adults and you get to do a community and a state,” he said of the legendary the same social things together. Bob Johnson, the Hall of Fame architect of the UW “I go to most of her games if I can get to them and men’s program. she goes to all of mine, and we can share experiences Mark and his brother, Peter Johnson, both played that kind of overlap, whether it’s dealing with team- for Badger Bob; an experience that Mark is now re- mates or coaches or time management. living by coaching his daughter, Mikayla. “We both can talk with each other and learn from “There are challenges and I’m sure my dad went each other’s mistakes.” through it when my brother and I played for him,” In handling the grind of a long season, and the Mark said. “You’re probably harder on your own kid pressures and challenges of competing athletically than you are some of the other players. at this level, they talk about staying positive and “on “She’s living on campus and doing the same things the attack” while keeping it all fun. the other players are doing. I don’t see her any more One for all, all for Wisconsin.

McKenna Meuer proposed, “more“You integrated can’t find into a family,”Badger athletics.” Oh, yes, you can. Usually right down the street, too; the Mark and Leslie Johnson fam- ily. McKenna acknowledged as much when she said, “We’ve grown up with the Johnsons. I have lived in either the same neighborhood or across the street from the Johnsons my entire life.” McKenna Meuer has been best friends with Mikayla John- son, a sophomore on the UW women’s hockey team. They lived in the same campus dorm last season. Not only can you connect the

39 “WHETHER SHE SUCCEEDS AND FAMILY TIES SCORES A LOT OF GOALS AND GETS A LOT OF POINTS OR SHE JUST GETS HER A number of Badgers can find family on campus at UW: DEGREE AND ENJOYS HER EXPERIENCE PLAYING HOCKEY, I THINK THAT’S « THE CICHYS WHAT MAKES YOU THE HAPPIEST” Her older sister, Rochelle, graduated from UW in May, but MARK JOHNSON SAID OF MIKAYLA. sophomore women’s basket- ball player Tessa Cichy (right) now has another sibling on campus in freshman football than I do the others. That was my learning experience player Jack. going through it. “The relationship between me and Mikayla is a good one; she understands where she’s at and I think THE ELLIOTTS » she’s comfortable in her own skin, which helps.” Former Badger and current Patrick Johnson ended up playing hockey for Mike assistant women’s golf coach Katie Elliott (left) will coach her Eaves at Wisconsin which prompted Mark to have a sister, Alyssa, again this talk with Patrick about the long shadows that his dad season as the senior rounds and granddad might cast on his career. out her career with the Mark Johnson has had the same discussion with Badgers in 2013-14. Mikayla. “There are certain things people are going to say no « THE JOHNSONS matter how you’re doing and you’ve got to be able to Freshman Malayna Johnson handle it,” he said. “You just have to be prepared for it (left) joins sister Michala, who and even if you are, it’s hard. is in her second season as “I remember when we played the Gophers and I a Badger after transferring from UConn, on the court this ice and hearing, ‘The only reason you’re in uniform is season for the UW women’s becausewent up yourto Minnesota dad is the the coach.’ first time. I’m going on the basketball team. night; that shut people up pretty quick.” THE STAVES » Truth“I remember is, Mark getting Johnson the was overtime an elite winner player; theMikayla first Sophomore Joel Stave is the is more of a role player. football team’s starting quarterback and has been “She’s one of those players who’s going to be bat- joined on campus by his sister, tling for ice time, battling for minutes; she falls into Rachel, a three-time state that category,” Mark said. “As she continues to work champion diver who is now and improve her ice time will probably go up. a freshman on the Badgers’ “I probably use my assistant coaches more in eval- swimming and diving team. uating her than maybe I do some of the other players. I let them speak before I speak to get the true essence « THE ZIEGLERS of what they see, and I’ll respect that. Women’s golfer Aaren Ziegler “But there will be times where I’ll have to take my has company on the links at dad hat off and put on my coaching hat and make de- University Ridge now that the cisions that are best for the team. I’ll probably have junior’s brother, Robbie, is in his first season as an assistant some sleepless nights. coach for the men’s golf team “It’s still going to be tougher on her than it is me be- at Wisconsin. cause she’s probably going to have to deal with some

40 // VARSITY October 10, 2013 things that the other kids don’t have to deal with.” Mikayla Johnson had no reservations about play- developing her hockey skills. Doug, who got his de- ing for her father, though. greeDoug from Johnson UW in May,has already coached had Mikayla a big forinfluence a handful on “I heard him tell stories about how he played for of years with the Madison Capitols. his dad and how he really enjoyed it,” she said. “I “We have a big age gap, Doug is 29 and I’m 19,” knew he would know how to handle things and I Mikayla said. “I really didn’t get to know him very was excited about it. well until then; until we spent every day together, “He explained to me what it was going to be like and that was pretty special.” and what I was getting myself into and, if I was will- Mark’s other two sons are both coaching: Patrick ing do that, then he’d be just as excited as I was. is working with the Capitols ― having taken over “It’s pretty awesome to be there every day with for Doug ― while Chris is entering his third year as him at the rink. I’ve never really seen him or watched an assistant at Augsburg College in Minneapolis. him play hockey. Obviously I’m too young for that. “A lot of people don’t know it but my dad played “But it’s pretty awesome to see how knowledge- at Augsburg,” Mark said. “He played two years at able he is in what he’s doing and the passion that he North Dakota, two at Minnesota and convinced ev- has. It rubs off on the whole team.” eryone he had another year of eligibility left.” Mark Johnson has lived a full life on the ice, but he So he played one more year at Augsburg. Why wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. not? It’s always a great year for hockey. “I just think it makes it more enjoyable to go to What would Bob Johnson say about having a work and practice ― just seeing one of your kids granddaughter skate for the Badgers? getting the opportunity to do some of the same “Oh, my gosh, he would have loved it,” Mark John- things that you did,” he said. son said. “He would have loved working with the “Whether she succeeds and scores a lot of goals athletes like I do ― as the ultimate teacher working and gets a lot of points or she just gets her degree with the student who wants to be taught.” and enjoys her experience playing hockey, I think What you learn is that it’s always a great day to be that’s what makes you the happiest.” a Badger, if you’re a Johnson, or a Meuer.

From left: Keegan Meuer, McKenna Meuer, Mikayla Johnson

41 “I told T.J. to look at other places, but I knew he was coming here. He always pictured himself in a Wiscon- sin singlet,” Kyle said of his brother.

Badger brotherhood: Siblings bolster lineup Three sets of brothers bring family atmosphere to wrestling room at Wisconsin

BY ANNA POULTER-HENDRICKSON UW ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

ou have no choice of the family you are suing their collegiate wrestling goals with a fam- born into. Fate decides your siblings. For ily member in their circle. Y six members of Wisconsin’s wrestling For assistant coach Kyle Ruschell, having team, fate played out favorably, and those six have younger brother T.J. in the room has only added made the choice to be brothers on the mat at Wis- to their relationship as siblings. consin, as well. “Having a sibling on the team just adds to the our relationship,” Kyle said. “Being seven years brotherhood of the sport,” says longtime UW head older“Having and being T.J. on gone the outteam of hasthe house,definitely we kindhelped of coach Barry Davis. “When things are tough, it is drifted apart because of our ages. When he came great to have that extra support beside you on the up here we became closer. He had a lot of ques- mat. tions that I was able to help answer and, because “It is great to have that additional support in of that, we became a lot closer.” the good times and the bad. Besides your team- Kyle, a two-time All-American for the Badgers mates and coaches, your brother is always there in 2009 and 2010, was already an assistant coach for you.” at UW when T.J. committed. Brothers Kyle and T.J. Ruschell, Scott and Seth “I stayed out of the recruiting. I wanted to make Liegel and Brandon and Justin Weber found the sure this was the right place for him,” Kyle said. ultimate teammate in a sibling and are now pur- “I told T.J. to look at other places, but I knew he

42 // VARSITY October 10, 2013 “I have always looked up to him, but now that I am at school with BAND OF BROTHERS him, I can continue to get advice There are three sets of siblings on from him in person, not just over the the UW wrestling team: phone, and it is a good experience,” KYLE & T.J. Justin Weber said of his brother Brandon. RUSCHELL was coming here. He always pictured himself in a Wisconsin singlet.” For T.J., the choice to attend UW was strength- ened by the knowledge of Kyle’s experience and success as a Badger. “My brother was a part of it,” T.J. said of his de- cision-making process. “But I was going to come here no matter what. I wanted to come here, it is an awesome place.” Wrestling at Wisconsin is a family tradition for JUSTIN & senior Scott Liegel, and having his brother on the BRANDON team has given them a chance to reconnect. WEBER “I didn’t ever get to be on a team with him be- cause I was a senior when he was in eighth grade,” said Scott. “I think it’s fun to see how he has pro- gressed. To see him grow and try and help him with school and athletics, is great. “I’m his brother, but he has 31 brothers on the team. We are all kind of family. I’m trying to help him in athletics and also academics, but he also has a bunch of people that care about him on the team, too.” For Brandon and Justin Weber, the opportunity to be on the same team provides the perfect oppor- tunity to support each other’s wrestling pursuits. “You have your coaches and teammates,” Bran- with my brother, it is so easy you can talk about anything.”don said, “but you can’t always confide in them. But It is a sentiment that Justin echoes. SCOTT & “I have always looked up to him, but now that I SETH LIEGEL am at school with him, I can continue to get advice from him in person, not just over the phone, and it is a good experience,” Justin said. Brotherhood is something that has always had a place in the wrestling room at Wisconsin. It has been the second family for almost 30 sets of sib- lings, a tradition these six Badgers will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

43 INSIDE FOOTBALL BY BRIAN MASON @BADGERFOOTBALL

Camp Randall could prove SCHEDULE (3-2, 1-1) LAST TIME OUT Sept. 28 at #4 Ohio State L, 24-31 big advantage once again COMING UP Badgers have been dominant at home in 2013 Saturday Northwestern 2:30 p.m. Oct. 19 at Illinois 7 p.m. Nov. 2 at Iowa TBA n news that really isn’t Since then, the Badgers have news at all — the Badgers won seven of their last nine Nov. 9 BYU TBA Iare 58-6 at Camp Randall Stadium over the last 10 sea- Overall, the Badgers and sons, after all — Wisconsin is WildcatsHomecoming have contests. evenly divided Northwestern will be the Badgers’ once again making the most of their last six meetings, dating biggest challenge defensively in a home - game so far, but the Cats are tasked with That makes Saturday’s re- - turnits home-field to action advantage.even more of a back to 2003, and they’ve ac Wisconsin is one of just four FBS teams positive for a team that had to tuallyThis split season, their lastthe 22 Badgers match withslowing at downleast 1,500UW’s attack,rushing as well.yards and wait two weeks to get back on haveups down outscored the middle, their as oppowell. - 1,000 passing yards this season, joining

Between NU’s dual-quarterback sys- the field after a tough loss at nents by an average of 41.4 temOregon, with Ohio Kain State Colter and and Northern Trevor Illinois. Siemi- 19Ohio Northwestern State on Sept. at 28.Camp Ran- perpoints game per — game the atbest home. mark UW of an and UW’s twin-running back setup dall,The where Badgers UW gethas towon face three No. anyhas FBS allowed team just at home 168.3 — yards and with James White and Melvin Gordon, straight against the Wildcats, the Badgers’ scoring defense dating back to Homecoming would be par for the course in an always- the points could pile up Saturday. That at home ranks No. 2 nationally 44 weekend// VARSITY in October 2004. 10, 2013 at just 3.3 points per game. interesting rivalry between these teams.

INSIDE VOLLEYBALL BY DIANE NORDSTROM @BADGERVBALL SCHEDULE (14-2, 3-1) LAST FOUR Sept. 27 #20 Purdue W, 3-0 Sept. 28 Indiana W, 3-1 Oct. 2 at Iowa W, 3-1 Oct. 5 at #10 Nebraska L, 2-3 COMING UP Friday at #14 Ohio State 6 p.m. Saturday at #4 Penn State 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18 #17 Michigan 7 p.m. Oct. 20 #7 Michigan State 1 p.m.

RANKED 13TH IN RPI ● The Badgers are ranked 13th in the

RPI is one of the primary tools used byfirst the NCAA NCAA RPI, committee released Oct. to 7.select The teams to the tournament. The Big Ten dominates the rank- ings with eight teams in the top 30, Junior Deme Morales’s - 31-inch vertical jump has braska (seventh) and Michigan State earned her a starting role. (ninth)led by fifth-rankedare the only other Penn conference State. Ne teams in the top 10. Wisconsin is the fourth Big Ten team with Ohio State Big Ten proving it’s the (21st), Illinois (22nd), Minnesota (24th) and Michigan (27th) round- toughest conference ing out the top 30. Eight teams ranked in top 25 of coaches poll MIGHTY JUMP ● A 31-inch vertical jump has earned junior Deme Morales a starting role irst-year head coach Kel- it certainly seems tough to me.” at outside hitter. Since starting vs. Kansas on Sept. F picked a tougher time to 13, Morales has put away 2.97 kills start lycoaching Sheffield in couldn’t the Big have Ten No.Four 14 Michigan of five matches downing played Illi- per set over the last 10 matches. She Conference. nois,on Oct. 3-2. 5 wentNo. 12 to Ohio five setsState with de- has recorded 10 or more kills in sev- “I talked to a couple of coach- feated unranked Indiana, 3-2, en of those matches. Morales adds es last night who thought this while No. 8 Minnesota edged 2.60 digs per set, tallying double- is the best the conference has 11th-place Iowa 3-2. The 23rd- She has also become one of UW’s said. “From top to bottom, and at No. 10 Nebraska and No. 5 primaryfigure digs serve in six matches.receivers, getting I’veever only been been this year,”following Sheffield this Pennranked State Badgers squeaked also lostby No.in five 24 aced only nine times in 256 recep- just kind of as an outsider, but tions.

46 // VARSITY October 10, 2013 Purdue in five sets.

INSIDE MEN’S HOCKEY BY PAUL CAPOBIANCO @BADGERMHOCKEY

Special teams an area to SCHEDULE COMING UP Friday Northern Michigan 7 p.m. improve as UW opens up Saturday Northern Michigan 8 p.m. Power play, penalty kill look for jump Oct. 18 at Boston College 6 p.m. Oct. 19 at Boston University 6 p.m. Nov. 1 Lake Superior State 7 p.m. hile the Badgers were streaking to Hobbs Ice Center in Eau Claire, Wa 21-6-5 mark dur- Wis.,their last first weekend, official practicenearly the at perfect in six of their last nine games, killing 26 of 30 penalties (86.7 percent). last season, they did much of the team started its Red-White theiring the damage final at four even months strength. of Scrimmageentire first was half spent hour working before MIKE RICHTER HONORED Of the 16 teams in the NCAA on special teams. ● Goaltender Mike Richter put together tournament, Wisconsin had The Badgers have all the a solid collegiate career during his the lowest power-play conver- ingredients for an excellent two seasons as a Badger. Named to the sion rate at 13.0 percent (18- power play, and they did show 1987 All-WCHA Second Team, Richter for-138), and ranked 54th out signs of improvement late last would make a much larger name for of the 59 NCAA schools. - himself on the international and NHL UW’s penalty kill also was ends, UW’s power play clicked stages. Known for his great character, atyear. 18.8 Over percent the final (9-for-48), six week Richter is a three-time U.S. Olympian, checking in at No. 40 nation- scoring half its season total of a 15-year NHL star and a Stanley Cup allythe lowestwith an of 80.9 the percnet NCAA field,suc- goals with the man advantage champion with the New York Rangers. cess rate (127-for-157). in just 12 games. He was inducted into the UW Athlet- There is no coincidence that UW’s penalty kill also im- ics Hall of Fame in 2005 and the U.S. when the Badgers opened up proved as the Badgers were Hockey Hall of Fame in 2008.

48 // VARSITY October 10, 2013

INSIDE WOMEN’S HOCKEY BY AJ HARRISON @BADGERWHOCKEY SCHEDULE (2-0-0, 2-0-0) LAST WEEK Oct. 4 Minnesota State W, 3-0 Oct. 5 Minnesota State W, 5-1 COMING UP Friday #1 Minnesota 6 p.m. Saturday #1 Minnesota 4 p.m.

season. Wisconsin head coach Mark Johnson is looking forward to the test. “They’ve won 51 straight games, which is very, very impressive, especially in this environment,” Johnson said. “It will be a challenge, but I like it early in the season. I like the opportunity to see how my young players and how we as a team respond to this type of environ- ment that we’ll be going into.” For the Wisconsin freshmen, this

- Bahnweekend Arena. will Last mark season, their firstMinnesota games averagedaway from an the NCAA-best friendly confines1,878 fans of per La game, Border Battle begins with “What I’ve seen to this point, I’m ex- cited because they’ve stepped in, they’ve eaten up some minutes, they’ve conduct- Badgers staring down streak ed themselves in a real positive way,” Badgers face first road test of season in Twin Cities Johnson said. “They’ve made a contri- bution. Now the opportunity for us as a team to see how they react in a hostile isconsin vs. Min- environment.” nesota. One of the competition in any sport this Wbest rivalries in the season,The the first matchup Border pits Battle the RISING IN THE POLLS country resumes this weekend back-to-back NCAA champion ● The Badgers moved up into the top as the Badgers hit the road for and No. 1 team in the nation, Minnesota, against four-time Today/USA Hockey Magazine polls. Twin Cities to face the Golden national champion and No. Wisconsinfive in both is the tied USCHO.com for fourth with and CorUSA- Gophers.the first time this season to the 4-ranked Wisconsin. Addi- nell with in the USCHO.com rankings Normally when Wisconsin tionally, Minnesota enters the and checked in at No. 5 in the latest and Minnesota face off, it is a weekend with a NCAA record USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine big game. This week’s tilts are 51-game winning streak, a re- rankings. Minnesota is ranked No. 1 in no exception. cord that UW held prior to last both polls.

50 // VARSITY October 10, 2013

INSIDE MEN’S SOCCER BY JEREMY WODAJO @BADGERMSOCCER SCHEDULE (7-2-1, 0-1-0) THIS WEEK Tuesday Drake W, 3-2 COMING UP Friday Indiana 7 p.m. Oct. 15 Western Illinois 7 p.m. Oct. 20 at Michigan Noon Oct. 23 at Milwaukee 8 p.m. Oct. 27 Michigan State 2 p.m.

tant for two years before joining the staff full-time in 1993 under legendary head coach Jerry Yeagley. Indiana won eight Big Ten titles, ad-

times and won two national titles in Trask’svanced nine to the years NCAA with Collegethe team. Cup five Trask won’t be the only coach on the sidelines Friday night with a connection to their opponent, though. Indiana head coach Todd Yeagley was at the helm of the UW men’s soccer pro- gram for one season in 2009 before re- turning to his alma mater. Both coaches have found success with their respective teams in the past four years, outlining a recipe for an intense Memory lane: Indiana Big Ten contest. As the defending NCAA champion, ev- roots remain with Trask ery team looks forward to battling Indi-

UW head coach began coaching career at IU of every game at this point in the season andana. realizesTrask understands that as the seasonthe ramifications progress- he University of Wiscon- bachelor’s degree in manage- es, every match becomes more impor- sin celebrates its 102nd ment and a master’s degree in tant than the last. T Homecoming this week- kinesiology during his time in “Right now, we’re in the (NCAA tour- end, but the event takes on a Bloomington. nament) conversation,” Trask said. “At new meaning this year for UW In his freshman campaign, this point in the season, every game be- men’s soccer head coach John comes even that much bigger with only Trask Friday night as the Bad- of an IU squad that went 22-2- 48 teams getting in. gers welcome Indiana to the the midfielder was a member “There’s a good soccer crowd in town. McClimon Soccer Complex. Shortly after his playing We’re starting to create some of the stu- Trask was a four-year let- career2 and reached ended, the Trask NCAA joined final. dents on campus wanting to be a part terwinner for the Hoosiers the Hoosiers’ coaching staff, of what we’re doing over at McClimon,” from 1984-87, receiving a working as a graduate assis- Trask explained.

52 // VARSITY October 10, 2013

INSIDE WOMEN’S SOCCER BY JEREMY WODAJO @BADGERWSOCCER SCHEDULE (8-2-2, 3-1-1) LAST WEEK Oct. 4 #11 Penn State L, 1-2 Oct. 6 Ohio State W, 1-0 COMING UP Oct. 12 at Illinois 6 p.m. Oct. 18 #24 Nebraska 7 p.m. Oct. 20 Iowa 1 p.m. Oct. 24 Minnesota 7 p.m.

downing Illinois State (Aug. 25), 4-1, be- fore taking down Loyola-Chicago (Sept. 11), 5-1, a few weeks later. The Badgers have already accounted for 28 goals in 2013, just 10 scores short of their 2012 total with six matches to go in the regular season. UW is also av- eraging 2.5 goals per game, which would rank in the top 10 in school history if the season ended today. Taking all of this into account and combining it with the fact that UW is still leaning on Paula Wilkins’ defensive fo- Right on schedule: UW cus (four shutouts in 2013), the results become even more impressive when you consider the youth of this season’s team. peaking at halfway point In the midst of UW’s unbeaten road Badgers remain unbeaten on road in 2013 record and top-25 national ranking, it wouldn’t be surprising that most people have forgotten that this team is still the ith a much-deserved 14th-ranked Marquette in a Big Ten’s youngest squad in terms of two-day break from home exhibition, UW ran off upperclassmen and returning minutes Wtraining earlier this three straight road wins to played. But being forgotten isn’t some- week and a one-match week- start the regular season, high- thing Wilkins is stressing over at the mo- end on the horizon, there is no lighted by Cara Walls’ game- ment. better time than now to take a winning score in the regular- Currently in a tie for second place in look back at the highlights that season opener at UConn (Aug. the Big Ten standings with four of their 23) and a comeback win at Or- next six regular-season matches at home, half of the 2013 season for the egon (Aug. 30). the Badgers are in a good place and are Wisconsinhave characterized women’s thesoccer first UW displayed its high- mainly concerned with one thing and team. octane offense in a pair of one thing only: continuing to win when After dominating then dominant road performances, it matters the most.

54 // VARSITY October 10, 2013

THIS WEEK IN BADGER HISTORY WINS OVER THE WILDCATS

OUTWORKING THE WILDCATS NOVEMBER 27, 2010: The Badgers won a share of their first Big Ten title since 1999 and scored 70 points for the third time on the season, downing Northwestern, 70-23. Montee Ball paced the Badgers on the ground, becoming just the second UW player to rush for four touchdowns in consecutive games, joining Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne. Ball churned up 178 yards along the way, averaging 8.9 yards per carry.

SHUTOUT SUCCESS NOVEMBER 25, 1897: Wisconsin beat Northwestern 22-0 to register its eighth shutout and capture its second-straight conference title. ALSO KNOCKING OFF NO. 7 NOVEMBER 5, 1938: Wisconsin notched its first-ever win over a nationally- AGAINST ranked opponent, a 20-13 victory against No. 7 Northwestern. HOMECOMING HEROICS NOVEMBER 10, 1962: The eighth-ranked Badgers upset top-ranked Northwest- ern, 37-6, on Homecoming at Camp Randall Stadium. RUNNING WILD NOVEMBER 16, 1974: Wisconsin registered a single-game record for rushing {attempts (79) and rushing yards (551) in a 52-7 win over Northwestern. 56 // VARSITY October 10, 2013