After four miserable losses to start conference play for the Badgers, Bucky was finally able to break through and win a game. A relatively back and forth game for the 3 quarters, the Badgers finally took control in the final frame. The Badgers hit an early field goal in the 4th, picked of Isiah "Juice" Williams for the 3rd time in the game, which set up another Badger score, this one an 8 yard touchdown reception by David Gilreath. Dustin Sherer, in only his second start as a Badger, outdid Juice Williams going 12-22 for 174 yards, 2 touchdowns, and even a rushing score in the first half. He actually outrushed Juice 40 yards to 4. Illinois kept things close and even had a 17-10 lead in the 3rd quarter, but could not limit mistakes or hold the Badgers offense when it counted late.

Wisconsin PP's:

Beckum, Travis 6-4, 219, 9 TE 2009- Had 2 receptions for 16 yards before being cut down on a run, which you could tell from the beginning was trouble. He was carted off the field, and had season ending surgery Saturday night on his left fibula. This ends a great career for the man with the 3rd most receptions in school history. In retrospect, after a tough senior season for Travis, he should have gone to the NFL last year, where he almost assuredly would have been a first round pick: incomplete

Bscherer, Jake OT 2010- DNP

Carimi, Gabe OT 2011- DNP still out with injury

Casillas, Jonathan 6-2, 226, 2 LB 2009- A rather quiet game with 4 tackles(1 solo), with a forced fumble. Didn't rack up as many tackles because for once the dline did their job and stopped the run: B

Hill, P.J. 5-10, 226, 39 HB 2010- Hampered by an ankle injury so therefore John Clay received most of the carries. PJ did have 3 rushes for 9 yards, including a big first down rush. Unfortunately he still doesn't have any explosion or vision: C

Kemp, Andy 6-6, 315, 75 OG 2009- The offensive line still didn't perform up to standards. Kemp played well, a lot better than he did in previous weeks, but Sherer was still sacked 4 times, and the Badgers only ran for 163 yards off 45 carries. The DTs of Illinois did a good job of clogging the middle. Kemp needs to learn how to finish off blocks and revert them out so the runningback can hit the holes: B-

Pressley, Chris 6-1, 259, 44 FB 2009- 1 rush for one yard. Split off blocking duties with Rentmeester. Does a good job of initial contact but is not able to push back into the second level and block quicker linebackers and safeties away.

Shaughnessy, Matt 6-6, 253, 92 DE 2009- Alright, I tried to get a good look at him in space this game, and I came to the conclusion that he can indeed become at 3-4 hybrid DE/LB, however, he won't be a highly spoken of prospect. He's still a bit light for even that, and he would absolutely get wrecked by NFL tight ends. That being said, he could be a perfect 3rd down pass rusher, who gets in there and knocks down the ball. Game stats- 1 solo tackles, 1 TFL, and 1 sack: B+

Urbik, Kraig 6-6, 332, 63 OG 2009- DNP still out with injury

VandenHeuvel, Eric 6-7, 324, 71 OT 2009- Showed a lot more than in previous games, but still lacks that quick first step. Significantly better on run blocking, however. Did a solid job of finishing blocks and did not give up on the play, allowing Zach Brown to propel for a first down on 3 and 10 deep in Illinois territory to basically clinch the win: B+

John Clay(redshirt freshman) got most of the carries with PJ Hill out, and performed ok at best. 25 carries for only 88 cards. Credit the Illini dline for a tough day, but he needs to hit the whole a lot harder and sooner.

David Gilreath(sophomore) finally made some plays, with 3 receptions for 79 yards including a 49 yard slant catch which he took to the left and took all the way. He also had an 8 yard strike in the 4th, where he caught the ball while lying on the endzone.

Deandre Levy(senior) desperately needs a writeup as he again led the Badgers in tackles with 9 tackles(3 solos) 1 sack, and 1.5 TFL. He is a great playmaker for the Badgers and should make a solid NFL linebacker.

Illinois PP's:

Cumberland, Jeff 6-5, 251, 17 TE 2010- Finished with 1 reception for 23 yards. Plays really tall, and should be targeted more in the Illini offense. Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to see how his blocking was: C+

Davis, Vontae 6-0, 205, 1 CB 2010- Clearly the best player on Illinois's defense. Absolutely blanketed his receivers except for on one play where he got beat by Gilreath on the slant. Has potential to be a shut down corner in the NFL with proper coaching. Also looks really physical, but only finished with 3 tackles(2 solos): A-

Davis, Will 6-3, 268, 81 DE 2009- The Badgers did a relatively good job on him, limiting him to only 4 tackles(2 solos). Was double teamed, but needs to do a better job with his hands and shove off lineman: B-

Fulton, Xavier OT 2009- DNP

McDonald, Ryan C 2009- A pretty average game for him. A couple breakdowns on blitzes, and also really had a poor game on run blocking: C

Miller, Brit 6-1, 250, 44 LB 2009- Had an absolutely amazing game, finishing with 16 tackles(13 solos), 1 sack, 1.5 TFL, and 3 pass breakups. Really was everywhere for the Illini. I knew he was all over the field, but I was amazed when I saw how many tackles he actually had. The MVP of the game for Illinois: A


Pittman, Rodney 6-1.5, 242, 45 LB 2009- Finished with 7 tackles(4 solos) and .5 TFL. Pretty active day for him, but did blow his assignment on TE Garrett Graham a few times: B

Walker, Derek 6-4, 270, 91 DE 2009- Had a really unactive game with only one assisted tackle and one fumble recovery in the first few minutes of the game. Got absolutely manhandled but did push some of the blockers back into the middle which clogged the lanes: D

Doug Pilcher had a huge game with 3 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 2 TFL. Really clogged the middle and limited the Badgers rushing attack.

The Badgers(4-4, 1-4) now go on the road to play a good Michigan State team, and Illinois(4-4, 2-3) returns home to play Iowa.

Sam, How are you doing out there? I saw some highlights of this game and it looked really cold.

Would you say we have Kemp ranked about right, Sam?

I have re-ranked Beckum in the position rankings. Does that seem about right to you, given the severity of the injury?

I don't understand this statement:



Could you explain? Have you and Adam never worked out who has which school?

Haha ya it's getting a little cold here, it snowed briefly on monday but it's starting to get a little warmer towards the end of this week. I'll be fine though...

And Steve ya both those rankings seem good to me, with a quick rehab and a good
showing at the combine Beckum could be right back up there.

Also Steve look at my pm regarding the Big 10.