Nov. 14, 2009
Recap | Final Stats | Notes | Photo Gallery 
Wisconsin Head Coach Bret Bielema Post-Game Quotes
Wisconsin vs. Michigan
Nov. 14, 2009
Camp Randall Stadium – Madison, Wis.
Opening Statement:
“I can’t say enough about the senior leadership that our guys have provided to get this team where it is today. Starting last year in January, to have a bump in the road like we did and have these guys respond. They have led the way the whole way. Our senior captains, our seniors, guys like Jaevery McFadden, Dan Moore, Jeff Stehle, a lot of unsung heroes out there that were selfless, gave a lot and bought into what we were saying as coaches. I know we haven’t won every game this year but we won a fair share that I think our guys went out and earned. I am very happy for them to be out there celebrating the fifth quarter. A couple guys asked me what it is like and I said I don’t know I have never been to one.
“We have a very young football team. We have a lot of guys that are playing their first reps right now. They are growing with it, they are expanding with every game. This is just a great win for us to close out one of the greatest venues in college football as a fan. To give our fans this, to beat Michigan in our season finale at Camp Randall is awesome. Hopefully everybody is able to enjoy the day as most people always do in Wisconsin.”
On quarterback Scott Tolzien:
“I thought in the second half, some of those third down throws he was staying in there and got hit a couple of times right when he threw it. I thought our coaches made some good adjustments at halftime to make sure we were accountable for where No. 55 was all the time. He’s a special football player. Give credit where credit is due, Michigan is still a very, very good football team, got a lot of talent on them, offensively they are very good. Scotty had a big grin on his face walking off the field. To beat Michigan is a big deal, I think that’s the second highest point total ever to beat Michigan, which is huge. We set the record last time a couple of years back and I think we just revoked it again.”
On beating Michigan by three touchdowns:
“I don’t mean to discredit anything, but this was the next step on our schedule. I made a big deal all week, there’s a lot of storylines about what happened a year ago and believe me, I reinforced 2008 for a long time in their minds, so since the season started I tried to minimize references back to that year because we’re a totally different football team. This is the next step on our schedule, just like next week is Northwestern. I don’t know what they did today but they are playing Illinois, I know that will be a hard fought game. We as a group just need to take the next step at a time and unfortunately for our seniors, this is the last step at home. But we have at least two more games in front of us.”
Wisconsin Player Post-Game Quotes
Wisconsin vs. Michigan
Nov. 14, 2009
Camp Randall Stadium – Madison, Wis.
Senior Tight End Garrett Graham
On gathering a touchdown on his last game at Camp Randall: “It felt good. Everything was just kind of clicking and I felt good on the ground, good on the air. I couldn’t ask for more.”
On Scott Tolzein’s performance: “He’s playing great. He took a couple of hits today, but he’s a really tough kid. I couldn’t be more proud of Scott and the entire offense.”
On the second half: “Definitely at the end there, just running out the clock for that six, seven-minute drive. It just felt good to stay on the field as an offense.”
On his reactions to his last home game: “It was a little emotional. It always is, but a little more today. But it was special. The seniors definitely enjoyed it.”
Sophomore Running Back John Clay
On offensive production in the second half: “Yeah, like I’ve been saying this whole time, our offense is very explosive. Once we get going, it’s hard for us to be stopped.”
On his 1,000-yard accomplishment: “I give it all up to the offensive linemen. After the game, I found each one of them, gave them a hug and told them thank you and I appreciate everything they’ve been doing for me. They’ve been working for me, and so I’m going to keep working for them for this whole year.”
On his potential: “There’s more work to be done. I still have stuff I need to work on, just picking reads and running the ball. I have a lot to work on and there’s a lot to improve.”
On continuing to play at a high level: “It’s very important. I have to stay consistent and give me a chance and this whole offense a chance. They sky’s the limit for us.”
Junior Quarterback Scott Tolzien
On sending off the seniors on a positive note: “It was awesome because the seniors mean a lot to us this year. Every year they do, but I feel a little bit closer, being a junior, to them and they’re all really good leaders. One thing I learned from the seniors was that they all bought into the program, whether it’s a guy that’s played a lot or a guy that hasn’t played much at all, they’ve all bought into the program and it feeds down to the lower guys. It makes it all inclusive, that we’re all in this together.”
On his second half performance: “It was impressive, and I think the most impressive thing was the very last drive we had when they were loading up the box, it was kind of reminiscent of the Indiana game down the stretch, and it was impressive. They were holding the box up and they knew we were going to run the ball, we knew it, and our offensive line just took it to them in the back, so we finished the game off strong.”
On the win vs. Michigan today compared to last year’s outcome: “I think the biggest thing was senior day—you always want to send out the seniors right in their last game at Camp Randall. Yeah, it was something because last year was a disappointing loss, and it was good to get another win, not to get revenge or anything like that, but just to get another Big Ten win.”
Sophomore wide receiver Nick Toon
On his feelings about the game: “It was a good game, it felt good. It was great to let the seniors go out on their last game on a high note. I’m just happy with the results.”
On his touchdown catch/pass interference: “Scott (Tolzien) just threw the ball up and I made a play on the ball. It was a good catch and hopefully I’ll make some more of those in my career here.”
On his evolution for where he was last year at this time: “Last year I started to get comfortable playing games. I feel like the same type of thing has happened this year and hopefully that will carry over into next year.”
On his all-around play: “Our offense is just playing well. The offensive line is doing their job, Scotty is throwing the ball, our backs are doing their jobs, so I’m just doing my job to catch the ball.”
Senior tight end Mickey Turner
On winning the senior game against Michigan: “It means a lot. For me personally, I had a good game which helps, but overall I’m just glad to see our team finish, it’s something we’ve been stressing all year. To go out on Camp Randall and play like that really means a lot.”
Senior defensive lineman O’Brien Schofield
On the last game at Camp Randall: “I wanted to cry, coming out and getting my name called. Just hearing the fans cheering for me, it really meant a lot that the fans appreciated what the seniors have done this season in leading this team to so far a successful season.”
On revenge over Michigan: “It felt really good. Anytime you can beat Michigan feels good, especially the way we came in last year. We came out in the second half with some fire and the offense was just making some really long drives and putting points on the board.”
Michigan Head Coach Rich Rodriguez Post-Game Quotes
Wisconsin vs. Michigan
Nov. 14, 2009
Camp Randall Stadium – Madison, Wis.
On Michigan’s defense:
“We were playing hard, the effort was good, but the opening start and long situations and the obvious pass, those you wish you could stop. That was the most disappointing part of the first half. In the second half, we knew everyone in the stadium was coming and we still couldn’t stop them. That was frustrating.”
On Wisconsin’s running game:
“They had several first-and-20s where they kept running the ball. They felt comfortable offensively and we didn’t have enough possessions in the second half and just didn’t execute when we had the opportunity.”
On momentum shifting:
“You get a little momentum going and certainly it bodes well for you if you can keep it, especially on the road. We let their crowd back into the game. Momentum shifting is something we’ve struggled with all year.”
On his decision to change around the defense:
“We were really reaching defensively to find an answer to try to stop them.”
On Michigan’s tendency to let down in the second half:
“In the second half it just seems like, defensively, we’re not able to get off the field. Our offense needs to be in a rhythm and we’re not on the field much offensively. When the other team is controlling the ball, it’s hard to get into a rhythm offensively. I think it’s a combination of things. We need to evaluate everything – the players, teams, and try to come up with answers. That’s my job as a coach.”
On considering starting Denard Robinson at quarterback:
“There’s consideration every week, but it’s not been his effort, but more of his concentration on getting better and doing the things he’s supposed to do on and off the field. We generally redshirt our freshman, but I told Denard that he didn’t have that luxury this year. He’s gotta play.”
On Brandon Graham:
“It’s neat to see a guy who loves football so much. He gives it such a great effort. He’s a great leader. His has such a joy for the game and how much passion he has when he’s playing. We’re certainly going to miss him. He’s a great player and a great young man.”
On the Wolverines’ final game with Ohio State:
“There’s no question we’ve got one more chance. I’ve asked the team to be extra focused. We’ve been focused all year, but this is the biggest game of the year. Our guys know that. It’s not going to be a game that either team needs to get fired up for. It’s Michigan and Ohio State. We got a lot at stake. It’s at our place and it’s our senior’s last game. The focus this week should be great, I just hope the play next week is great.”
