Wisconsin running back P.J. Hill has practiced the last three days and is expected to play against Tennessee in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1.
Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema told reporters after practice Monday that Hill would play but not start.
Hill, who leads the Badgers in rushing, suffered a leg injury in the ninth game against Indiana. He was limited to five plays in the last three games.
The Badgers didn’t miss Hill in their final regular-season game against Minnesota. Freshman Zach Brown, who is expected to start against the Vols, rushed for 250 yards on 29 carries.
Hill rushed for 1,080 yards and scored 15 touchdowns this season. Brown has 539 yards rushing, and Lance Smith has 406 yards and a 6.2-yard average per carry.
While the offense could get a boost from Hill’s return, the Wisconsin defense will be without starting cornerback Aaron Henry. He suffered a torn ACL in practice last week.
That’s the second cornerback Wisconsin has lost to a season-ending knee injury. Henry replaced Allen Langford, who was injured Nov. 3.
Ben Strickland, Josh Nettles and Niles Brinkley are competing for the left cornerback spot vacated by Henry.
All-American tight end Travis Beckum, who has 73 pass receptions this season, apparently is back at top speed after injuring his shoulder in the last regular- season game.
Bielema has closed all practices to the media in preparation for the Outback Bowl. Although Wisconsin normally closes its regular-season practices to the media, it usually has opened bowl practices under second-year coach Bielema, and his predecessor, Barry Alvarez.
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Comments » 24
gohawks1 writes:
If Chavis can come up with a gameplan to stifle Arkansas with Run DMc in the backfield, then I believe he can do the same with these guys. However, I don't know anything about Wisconsin's OL. Any word on how good they are up front?
gohawks1 writes:
Oh, and by the way, that big game that Zach Brown had was against Minnesota. They went 1-11 this year. He must be proud.
utwick writes:
The line was good enough that three rushers had over 2,000 yards. With all the attention on the coaching carousel there has been very little written about the game itself. Chavis might be able to come up with a scheme to stop Wisconsin, however, with all the distractions, will team be focused?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Good to see some talk about the Badgers, Madison.com sometimes has nuggets. They appear to be a straight ahead rushing team.
As IPOrange says if we can make MacFadden go East and West. Perchance we can fill the gaps on these big backs. Would be wonderful to get a 14 point lead in this one. 15 days! Go Vols.
Volker writes:
We'll make him regret this decision!
IceVol writes:
I believe this is the same program that Joe Thomas is from. Probably a pretty good line.
rootin4volz writes:
Last chance to see Cut in action on a Tennessee Sideline...I got 2 40-yard line tickets to the Outback...Section 136 Row B...Drop me a line at daboalley@gmail.com!
rootin4volz writes:
Oh, and...Serious inquiries only, please.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
I hope our defense is reading this article.
My biggest concern with our D is that we're not physical enough. We got manhandled last year by Penn State and this year by Cal, Florida and 'Bama up front. Yes, we stopped Arkansas--but even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every now and then.
As much as we had a chance to win the game against LSU, we gave up 271 total yards to them in the first half. Granted, we hit harder in the LSU game than we had all season. Hopefully, we haven't "peaked".
We're better than Big Ten teams in terms of talent, but I'm not convinced we're as physical as we can be or need to be.
Wake up, defense.
GreerVol22 writes:
yep TD, I smell another Peach Bowl scenario if we don't somehow remember we have a game on the first...
I can just see Troop stopping to check his blackberry a dozen times during practice and same for Cutt on the phone with recruits....Duky recruits...
99gator writes:
slow down the run and cover the tight end.
wisconsin is that basic. that is all tenn has to do.
utvols1 writes:
TDis spot on again. I've read the last 3 days worth of articles and the coaching issues far out weigh discussion on injuries, game plans etc.
Given Phill's history in bowl games this is NOT what we need right now. If he is the true leader he's supposed to be he'd be taking charge right now and engaging the players as well as looking for replacement coaches. Lack of focus will kill this game.
jonathan012 writes:
What kinda fans say that their team is gonna lose everytime they take the field?.... Yall are terrible!
TommyJack writes:
CPF is "searching the whole scenario"
pdhuff#552644 writes:
TJ, we got the new apple cinnmon glazed don-nut holes you asked about!
agohn writes:
If you want some cheap tickets to the Outback...go to Ebay. I bought 4 in the 200's section for $100. I got the first auction for $51 and the second for $50. Just to let ou all know.
CoverOrange writes:
99gator, correct prescription for the defense, the question is what does the offense have to do and what will they do. I'm going to be surprised if they total score for this game is more than 25 points.
TommyJack writes:
PD: Your turn to buy. Pound the rock. Stay the course. Work you dadgum tail off. Search the whole scenario.
Colliervol writes:
Looks to me like that "stout D" gave up 34 to Michigan State, 34 to Minnesota, and 31 to the Citadel. Also, given that they are down to playing two reserve cornerbacks, I like our chances to ring up some points. If the Citadel and Minnesota can do it, our offense certainly can. Only way they don't is if they lay a complete stink bomb down there and I just don't see it. The UT defense certainly isn't our strong point but, if they can play some run defense like they did against Arkansas and Georgia, I think the Vols win.
DSaVol writes:
Who cares if this guy plays!? Hell, their 4th teamer could get a buck fifty against Chavis and Co.!
orangebloodgmc writes:
Like McFadden and Moreno?
firefulmer (Inactive) writes:
hiresanders, I agree! TN will not beat Wisconsin. Too many distractions going on for our great coach Fulmer to handle. Ainge's pathetic fourth quarter performance (SEC game) is exactly what we will see in the bowl game. Our defense will be back to Cal, Fla, Bama, KY caliber. They looked okay in the SEC game, but hell, half of LSU's starters were on the sideline. Wisconsin's fifth year senior q/back will make our defense look lost and confused. Our senior quarterback will be scared to death!!! I've watched TN too long to know what is coming!!!
Colliervol writes:
Firefulmer/hiresanders, do I have to call 1-800-CALL-RTH to get that pick or are you releasing it for free?
I'm a bit worried since you missed nearly every pick coming down the stretch. Seems I recall you picking every Vol opponent after the Bama game and look how that worked out. (And but for two errant passes in Atlanta, you probably would have missed that one too.)
You guys really are hilarious. Don't quit your day job.
budd#207344 writes:
We lost to Penn State because Foster fumbled. If he doesn't do that we win. We just need to play the way we have on D in ARk and lsu games and run our offense. Giving up 31 points to the Citadel? If we cannot do better then I am glad to see Cut go
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