BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
MADISON, Wis. — He's about to begin his seventh year running the show at his alma mater. Looking back on his predecessors, this is — one way or another — a defining moment in time.
Bret Bielema orchestrated a record third straight Big Ten Conference crown and Rose Bowl berth in his seventh year in 2012, but stunningly pulled up stakes to take over at Arkansas.
Barry Alvarez was in the midst of three consecutive five-loss seasons when his seventh year rolled around in 1996, but the dynamic debut of freshman tailback Ron Dayne set the stage for Big Ten titles in 1998 and '99.
Dave McClain rattled off four consecutive winning seasons from 1981 to '84 — his seventh year in Madison — but the Badgers went 5-6 in 1985 and McClain died of a heart attack in '86, touching off an eight-year stretch where Wisconsin had a losing record under four coaches.
John Jardine produced a winning record in 1974, but seasons seven and eight were torturous. The Badgers finished 5-6 in his seventh year in 1976, including a two-point loss to Purdue and a one-point setback to Indiana, then finished 1977 with six straight losses after a 5-0 start which led to his firing.
Milt Bruhn was in his seventh season in 1962 when he guided UW to its second Big Ten title and Rose Bowl assignment of his 11-year tenure. The other championship came in 1959.
Ivy Williamson experienced only one losing season at Wisconsin, but that was his seventh and final year in 1955. He took over as AD, replacing Guy Sundt after his sudden death, and hired Bruhn.
Finally, Harry Stuhldreher spent 13 years as coach of the Badgers, from 1936 to '48. He didn't win a Big Ten championship, but his seventh season was in 1942 and it featured one of the best UW teams in history. Wisconsin went 8-1-1, toppled No. 1 Ohio State and finished ranked seventh nationally thanks to Elroy Hirsch and Co.
Chryst appears to have a title contender on his hands, a perception that will follow the No. 12 Badgers into their 11 a.m. season-opener vs. No. 19 Penn State at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday.
Curiously, Chryst spent eight seasons as a UW assistant coach. Year seven was in 2010 when the Badgers won the first of three consecutive Big Ten titles and averaged a then-program record of 41.5 points per outing.
Here are five more things to know:
Big Holes To Fill
For the second straight season opener, the Badgers don't have anyone on the roster with a 100-yard rushing effort or a 100-yard receiving performance at the college level. The last running back to reach 100 yards in a game was Garrett Groshek, who had 154 on 24 carries during a 20-17 overtime win over Minnesota last December. The last receiver with 100-plus yards for UW was Quintez Cephus, who caught seven passes for 122 during a 34-21 loss to Ohio State in the 2019 Big Ten Championship Game.
Three More Wise Men
By adding Gary Brown (running backs), Ross Kolodziej (defensive line) and Hank Poteat (cornerbacks) to his coaching staff since last season, Chryst continues to invest in top-tier knowledge. The 11-man group has a combined 46 seasons of playing experience and 22 seasons of instructional experience in the NFL.
Go-To Guy
Senior Jake Ferguson not only led Wisconsin in catches, yards and TD receptions last season, he was named first-team All-Big Ten, extended his streak of consecutive games with at least one catch to 33 and became the 11th tight end in program history to lead the club in receptions for a single season. Ferguson is in position to join Troy Fumagalli (2016, '17) and Travis Beckum (2006, '07) as the only tight ends to pace UW in receptions in back-to-back seasons.
Go-To Guys
UW has nine instances in its history where pass-catchers caught three or more TD passes in a game. Two, Ferguson and wide receiver Danny Davis, are the first pair to return as starters. Ferguson caught three vs. Illinois in 2020. Davis caught three vs. Miami (Fla.) in 2017.
Course Correction
The Badgers are 1-4 in season openers when both teams are ranked. They were ranked 14th in 1958 when they outlasted No. 15 Miami (Fla.) 20-0; they were seventh in 1995 when they were drilled by No. 13 Colorado 43-7; they were 24th in 1997 when No. 17 Syracuse carved out a 34-0 victory; they were 14th in 2014 when they absorbed a 28-24 setback vs. No. 13 LSU; and they were 20th in 2015 when third-ranked Alabama recorded a 35-17 victory.
