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QB
Jim Sorgi |
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2002
Statistics
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Coach:
Barry Alvarez
92-61-4,
13 years |
2002
Record: 8-6
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|
FRESNO
STATE |
WON
23-21 |
at
UNLV |
WON
27-7 |
WEST
VIRGINIA |
WON
34-17 |
NORTHERN
ILLINOIS |
WON
24-21 |
ARIZONA |
WON
31-10 |
PENN
STATE |
LOST
31-34 |
at
Indiana |
LOST
29-32 |
OHIO
STATE |
LOST
14-19 |
at
Michigan State |
WON
42-24 |
at
Iowa |
LOST
3-20 |
ILLINOIS |
LOST
20-37 |
at
Michigan |
LOST
14-21 |
MINNESOTA |
WON
49-31 |
ALAMO
BOWL
|
Colorado |
WON
31-28 (OT) |
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2002 Final Rankings
AP-UR, Coaches-UR, BCS-UR
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2003
Outlook
|
It
was a strange season for Wisconsin in 2002.
In the Big Ten, the Badgers seemed to be
snake-bit, stumbling to a 2-6 conference
mark after starting out the season by coasting
to a 5-0 non-conference record. Some of
that may have been due to the loss of Evans.
Evans back at full speed means watch out
- the Badger offense should be passing their
way to the next level. But there have to
be some nagging doubts about Evans' condition
following the surgery. (We will keep you
appraised of this crucial development as
he goes through spring ball.)
The
2003 campaign looks like it will play out
eerily similar. They will have plenty of
weapons, and once again a schedule conducive
to blasting out to a glittering non-conference
record before BIG TEN reality sets in hard.
Wisconsin runs into a buzz saw in Week Five,
however, traveling to Illinois to start
a stretch which will see them take on, in
order, the Illini, Penn State, Ohio State
and Purdue. Those last two games are at
home, and we figure the Badgers should be
in good shape to finish in the middle of
the Big Ten pack and at least seven wins.
The
keys will be on defense. The offense's marginal
showing will be adequate enough to match
opponents point-wise, but the defense's
run-stopping woes will cost too many close
games as the secondary can't save them for
60 minutes every week. Allowing teams to
have their way again (5200+ total yards
in 2002) gives this squad little reason
to think much will improve. A top-notch
conference means success requires linemen
who can hold their own. The DL can make-or-break
the team's season, accordingly. Wisconsin
will not beat any of their schedule's superior
teams. Consistency is again established,
but again at a mid-ranged level. No surprises
here, sir. So for all you office-poolers,
important info here - this should be an
easy team to pick against point-spreads.
Projected
2003 record: 9-3
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SPRING
MVP
RB Anthony Davis
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OFFENSIVE
MVP
QB Jim Sorgi
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DEFENSIVE
MVP
CB Brett Bell
|
TOP
NEWCOMER
CB Levonne Rowan
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|
|
|
WISCONSIN
*POWER RATINGS
|
Offense
|
Defense
|
QB
- 4 |
DL
- 3.5 |
RB
- 4.5 |
LB
- 4 |
WR
- 4.5 |
DB
- 3.5 |
OL
- 4 |
.. |
|
RETURNING
LEADERS
|
Passing:
Jim Sorgi, 70-38-2, 536 yds., 1 TD
Rushing: Anthony Davis, 300 att.,
1555 yds., 13 TD's
Receiving: Brandon Williams, 52 rec.,
663 yds., 3 TD's
Scoring: Anthony Davis, 13 TD's,
78 pts.
Punting: R.J. Morse, 74 punts, 37.4
avg.
Kicking: Mike Allen, 12-19 FG, 30-30
PAT, 66 pts.
Tackles: Ryan Aiello, 105 tot., 73
solo
Sacks: Darius Jones, 5 sacks
Interceptions: Jim Leonhard, 11 for
115 yds.
Kickoff returns: Brandon Williams,
32 ret., 20.9 avg.
Punt returns: Jim Leonhard, 36 ret.,
12.1 avg.
|
|
|
LB
Alex Lewis |
|
|
|
WISCONSIN
|
|
|
OFFENSE
- 7
|
----RETURNING
STARTERS----
|
DEFENSE
- 9
|
|
KEY
LOSSES
|
OFFENSE:
Brooks Bollinger-QB, Ben Johnson-OT, Al Johnson-C,
Jason Jowers-OT |
DEFENSE:
Jake
Sprague-DE, B.J. Tucker-CB |
|
|
|
2003
OFFENSE
|
By
Joe Howley
Royal Oak, Mich.
Anthony
Davis, Anthony Davis, Anthony Davis. The bowling-ball
style TB barreled for 1,555 yards and 13 TDs,
finishing 12th in NCAA D-I rushing, and ranks
as the leading returning ground-gainer in the
Big Ten. Heading into his junior year, the 5-8,
195-pounder will be the hub of coach Barry Alvarez'
ground-grinding modified Power-I offense.
When
Davis takes a break, soph Dwayne Smith will pick
up the slack. In 2002, Smith rushed for 537 yards,
so the Badgers definitely have some depth at the
running back spot. Smith is more of a straight-ahead
speed runner as opposed to Davis' jitterbug style.
Alvarez always prefers a meat-and-potatoes running
attack, and a tandem of Davis and Smith gives
him two solid backs to carry the freight.
The
Badgers also return a solid receiving corps led
by sophomores Jonathan Orr and Brandon Williams.
They tied for team receiving honors with 47. Orr
is definitely the long-ball threat between them,
stretching defenses and snapping them for 842
yards. Williams is more of a short-route possession
receiver. Then there's the X-factor
The
corps will go from solid to stellar if senior
Lee Evans, who missed all of 2002 with a knee
injury, returns to form. Evans was dynamite in
2001, setting a school record with 75 catches
and 1,545 receiving yards (4th for all Division
I receivers). He already holds Wisconsin school
records in total yards (2,255) after only three
seasons. Evans tore an ACL in the Badger spring
game and sat out the entire season rehabilitating
the injury. He was advised to return to school
by NFL personnel directors who said he could gain
more by proving his fitness. If/when Evans regains
most of his speed (reported at 4.3 in the 40 before
his injury), Wisconsin will have a set of receivers
to match up with any team in the nation.
Junior
tight end Bob Docherty, an imposing 6-6, 265-pounder,
is also an effective receiver. His value, like
that of soph fullback Matt Bernstein, is mainly
as a blocker. But Docherty has shown good hands
and can be a valuable weapon for the Badgers if
opponents gang up on the wide receivers.
Quarterback
Jim Sorgi will head into summer drills as the
starter, although sophomore Owen Daniels may mount
a challenge. Sorgi threw for 1,096 yards and nine
scores in 2001, saw limited action in 2002, but
should be more effective this year with the Badgers'
standout set of receivers. His experience should
give Wisconsin solid play at quarterback this
year.
Up
front, the Badgers have a matched set of 6-6,
300-pound junior guards in Dan Buenning and Jonathan
Clinkscale, the only two returnees on the offensive
line. Alvarez has always emphasized straight ahead,
power run-blocking and pocket protection, although
the scrambling of ex-QB Bollinger switched up
that scheme a bit the last couple of years. Sorgi
is much more of a traditional pocket passer, and
it will be imperative that the Badgers be able
to keep opposing pass-rusher's heat out of the
proverbial kitchen.
Three
positions are open on the OL, and it will be imperative
for returning junior backups Mike Lorenz and Morgan
Davis to make strong debuts at their respective
tackle positions. Something has to give - allowing
46 sacks won't do. Ergo, the development of the
young tackles will be vital to the success of
the Wisconsin offense this year. Sophomore Donovan
Raiola, the 2002 backup at center, should have
the starting nod. Otherwise, regardless of how
well veterans Buenning and Clinkscale play, opposing
defenses, especially in the Big Ten, will simply
attack the outside positions and cause all sorts
of trouble for the Badger backfield. Look for
the TE to stay home more often if this occurs.
|
|
RB
Anthony Davis
|
WISCONSIN
2003 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Jim
Sorgi-Sr |
Matt
Schabert-Jr |
FB |
Matt
Bernstein-So |
Greg
Root-So |
RB |
Anthony
Davis-Jr |
Dwayne
Smith-So |
WR |
Jonathan
Orr-So |
Brandon
Williams-So |
WR |
Lee
Evans-Sr |
Darrin
Charles-Jr |
TE |
Bob
Docherty-Jr |
Tony
Paciotti-Jr |
OT |
Morgan
Davis-Jr |
Jake
Wood-So |
OG |
Dan
Buenning-Jr |
Matt
Lawrence-So |
C |
Donovan
Raiola-So |
Jason
Palermo-So |
OG |
Jonathan
Clinkscale-Jr |
Kalvin
Barrett-Jr |
OT |
Mike
Lorenz-Jr |
Fred
Nieforth-Sr |
K |
Mike
Allen-Jr |
Scott
Campbell-Sr |
|
|
2003
DEFENSE
|
By
Joe Howley
Royal Oak, Mich.
Wisconsin
continues to run Alvarez' staple defensive set,
usually featuring the multiple-front 4-3 backed
by a standard cover-2 scheme in the backfield.
Wisconsin was almost exactly middle-of-the-pack
in most Big Ten defensive categories. The Badgers
finished between fourth and sixth in almost every
department from scoring defense to total yards
allowed. This indicates a defense with no outstanding
strengths, but at the same time, no glaring weaknesses.
Their mid-level finish bodes for future defensive
mediocrity. The main strength the Badgers will
have in 2003 will be experience - they lose only
two defensive starters. That added seasoning should
result in an up tick for the Badgers in overall
defensive performance this year.
The
two leaders of the Wisconsin defense this season
should be safeties Ryan Aiello and Jim Leonhard.
Aiello, a hard-hitting senior, is a keen lateral
runner, good against either run or pass, while
Leonhard had an outstanding season with 11 interceptions
(which led all NCAA Division I players) and 14
pass breakups. Opposing offenses won't throw at
him as much this season, but he will still be
effective in the Badger secondary. Juniors Brett
Bell and Robert Brooks return to backup roles
at safety.
The
linebacking crew will showcase seniors Alex Lewis
and Jeff Mack. Sophomore LaMarr Watkins had a
solid performance as the Badgers' designated speed
rusher. This is a talented crew who will be the
key to making a mediocre defense solid.
Starting
tackles Antaj Hawthorne and Jason Jefferson are
both back as juniors, while senior Nick Cochart,
junior Darius Jones and sophomore Mike Kleber,
all saw extensive action up front as well. With
experience, all should improve and, accordingly,
the Wisconsin run defense should tighten on allowing
4 yards per opponents rush.
At
the end positions, senior Erasmus James returns
on the right side, while junior Jonathan Walsh
looks to replace the graduated Jake Sprague on
the left. The team's mere 21 sacks total cries
for improvement. This is where it will start.
The
Badgers' only glaring defensive weakness in 2002
was vulnerability in the red zone - the Badgers
allowed opponents to score 88.1 percent of the
time in red-zone situations, worst in the Big
Ten. The Badgers featured an exceptionally young
defensive line, and that dearth of experience
may have contributed to the red-zone weaknesses.
Alvarez's
emphasis on zone-coverage might also contribute
to the red-zone chink in the Badgers' defensive
armor. Opponents were able to work into the seams
and convert on short passes. Man-to-man cornerback
coverage will be crucial for the Badgers to improve
that sore spot - junior Scott Starks returns on
the right side in one starting position. Starks
had only one pick, while his graduated counterpart
on the left, B.J. Watkins, had five, so improvement
in the Badgers' coverage ability, by Starks, junior
Chuckie Cowans, sophomore Levonne Rowan, or any
of the incoming contenders for secondary playing
time, will be a must for Wisconsin this year.
If another DB is their tackle leader, look for
them to again allow 5+ yards per offensive play.
|
|
SS
Jim Leonhard
|
WISCONSIN
2003 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in bold
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Jonathan
Welsh-Jr |
Joe
Monty-Fr |
DT |
Anttaj
Hawthorne-Jr |
Nick
Cochart-Sr |
DT |
Jason
Jefferson-Jr |
Mike
Kleber-So |
DE |
Erasmus
James-Sr |
Darius
Jones-Jr |
OLB |
Kareem
Timbers-Jr |
LaMarr
Watkins-So |
LB |
Jeff
Mack-Sr |
Broderick
Williams-Sr /
Mark Zalewski-Fr |
LB |
Alex
Lewis-Sr |
Kyle
McCorison-Sr |
CB |
Scott
Starks-Jr |
Chuckie
Cowans-Jr |
CB |
Brett
Bell-Jr |
Levonne
Rowan-Fr |
SS |
Ryan
Aiello-Sr |
Dontez
Sanders-So |
FS |
Jim
Leonhard-Jr |
Robert
Brooks-Jr |
P |
R.J.
Morse-Jr |
Matt
Wozniak-Fr |
|
|
|
2003
SPECIAL TEAMS
|
Leonhard
on the punt return unit had the best statistical year
of any Badger special teamer, finishing second in the
Big Ten with a 12.2 average, returning one punt for
a score, and giving Wisconsin a sudden-strike threat
from the runback squad. Brandon Williams will again
return kickoffs. The return of Evans should allow Williams
to devote more attention to kick returns and increase
his effectiveness in that department. Look for Wisconsin
to break open (and possibly win) a game or two with
a big return.
The
rest of the Badger special teams need some work. PK
Mike Allen, now a junior, was perfect on PATs but a
so-so 12-of-19 on field goals, bankably 8-of-10 inside
40. Junior punter R.J. Morse had the lowest punting
average in the Big Ten at 36.1 yards per kick, but compensated
for that somewhat with good-enough hang time so that
the Badgers' net of 33.6 ranked fifth in the conference.
Both Badger kickers are adequate, but could give the
team a real advantage with some significant improvement.
|
|
The odd man out at WR is sophomore Brandon
White. White will be the Badgers' fifth receiver
this season, and showed this spring just how
deep this group is
Barry Alvarez is
very confident in QB Jim Sorgi's abilities
and confidence. We like what we see in him
as well. He gives the offense a strong arm
and a great head about him, as this will be
his fifth year in the UW system. He and the
great tandem of receivers (along with Davis
at RB) will help this offense soar!
The Wisconsin offense will be unlike any before,
with a variety of "cluster" formations
being put into the offensive package. Basically,
they will line up three or four receivers
all bunched together and run routes off the
cluster. We will also see some five WR sets
this year. The theme seems to be speed and
athleticism- yes, even FB Matt Bernstein will
see time split wide as a receiver this fall!
The deployment of these formations and styles
should make the running of Davis and Smith
even more effective.
Alvarez was thoroughly pleased with the
execution shown by Brett Bell. Bell is a
scrappy corner who loves to hit and has
improved his cover skills. He helped solidify
his starting spot with sound play this spring.
Returning safeties Sam Aiello and Jim Leonhard
have switched spots, with Leonhard manning
the free and Aiello grounding the strong.
This move will allow Leonhard to play "centerfield"
and utilize his remarkable ball-hawking
skills, while Aiello can use his physical
style to make plays near the line of scrimmage
and match up with big, strong TEs. Leonhard
of course, had the nation's most INT's last
season with 11. FS Robert Brooks has made
the most improvement in the secondary and
will look to provide time as a nickleback
this fall
Backing up at one DE spot
is Joe Monty. If the name sounds familiar,
it should. His brother, Pete, is the all-time
leading tackler for Wisconsin. Joe has a
lot of talent and should see his way into
the thick of things this season
CB
Tony Moss is said to be so athletic that
offensive and defensive coaches have been
arguing against one another as to where
he should play. He's said to be a good one
when all is said and done
The playing
status of LB Broderick Williams is uncertain
as of this time. He has been seen working
out with the team, but he is not listed
on the depth chart- more to come when we
know.
Jerone Pettus should be a good KR, with
a strong spring running display. He's shifty
and runs hard, which make for a good KR.
He and Brandon Williams will take back kicks
with Leonhard continuing to run back punts.
Speaking of punts, the Badgers need to be
more consistent with theirs. R.J. Morse
and Adam Wozniak were shanking punts left
and right, and will need to improve before
the start of the season.
FYI- Team captains, as voted on by the players,
this season are QB Jim Sorgi, WR Lee Evans,
ILB Jeff Mack, and FS Jim Leonhard.
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