At times this season, University of Wisconsin running backs coach John Settle struggled to find a single healthy running back.
So, Settle can be excused, when others see a potential glut of running backs on the Badgers’ team next season, if he only sees a necessary cushion.
“I think each and every one of them knows, at some point in time, they’re going to have to play, because of how physical this conference is,” Settle said.
Barring injuries or departures, the Badgers will go into next season with four tailbacks capable of starting: current sophomore P.J. Hill, freshman Zach Brown, sophomore Lance Smith and John Clay, who is being redshirted in his first year.
Given all the position has been through this season, there may be no such thing as too much depth.
Among the things the position has endured:
- A variety of injuries, including a bruised leg that caused Hill to miss most of the final three games.
- The university-imposed suspension of Smith, which forced him to miss all five regular-season road games.
- The academic issues that resulted in Clay missing almost two weeks of preseason camp and ultimately being redshirted.
- The departure of freshman Quincy Landingham, who elected to transfer after the regular season.
“I tell you what, we were pretty thin (at times),” Settle said. “The guys have done a good job all season of being able to step in.
“We’ve gone through a lot. It just says a lot about the maturity level of the guys and the team as a whole, to go through as many injuries as we went through and still be able to compete and win enough ballgames to go to a Jan. 1 bowl game. But it’s good to have all your guys.”
For one of the few times all season, Settle is expected to have three relatively healthy tailbacks available against Tennessee in the Outback Bowl on Tuesday.
Brown has been tabbed as the starter, to be backed up by Hill and Smith.
“It’s good to have three guys that are capable, that are getting better daily,” Settle said. “Zach’s ready to go. Lance is champing at the bit, because of his situation from the season and P.J.’s getting better, he’s healing up. He’s able to take more reps each day.”
The bowl game affords a preview of next season and possible hints as to how the Badgers might juggle their suddenly crowded backfield.
“This hasn’t changed from the first day I met them,” Settle said. “This is a performance business. The guy that performs the best, that gives us the best chance to win, is the guy that’s going to be in the ballgame.
“It’s no secret to how we want to approach it. The guy that can stay healthy, that can last — you’re in the Big Ten, you’ve got to be able to take hits, you’ve got to be able to recover and you’ve got to be able to play week in and week out.”
That’s something Hill has struggled with in his career. He joined Ron Dayne and Anthony Davis as the only players in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in each of their first two seasons.
But Hill’s career also has been marked by frequent injuries. His freshman year was cut short by a broken leg in preseason camp.
Last season, he wore down noticeably as the season went along with a variety of nagging injuries.
This season, he ranked ninth in the nation, averaging 126.1 yards per game through eight games, before suffering the bruised leg against Indiana on Oct. 27.
At the time, the injury didn’t appear to be serious. But it happened on the leg he broke, where a plate was inserted. Hill has had just five carries since then.
“We’ve done everything we can do,” Settle said. “The trainers and doctors have checked it, they’ve taken every picture of it, every scan. It’s one of those things you have to be careful with because he did break it.
“We want to take every precaution that we can take, make him mentally as comfortable as we can make him. I’m sure, once he knows everything is all right, he’ll be able to focus and play like we need him to play.”
Even if Hill is healthy, he has lost his starting job for now to Brown, who has rushed for 539 yards in his first year, including 250 in the final regular-season game against Minnesota.
Settle was asked if Hill realizes the competition in front of him to get his starting job back.
“If he doesn’t realize it now, he’ll realize it when we get down to Florida,” Settle said prior to the team’s departure on Christmas Day for Tampa, Fla. “Zach is the starter.”
On the few occasions where Settle had more than one healthy running back, it was a luxury to bring in fresh legs or a change of pace.
“I think any time you can change up speed, it puts the defense on its heels a little bit,” he said. “They may get there one time, but if they run the same way the next time (against a faster back), they’re going to be a step slow.”
Given Hill’s power, Smith’s speed, Brown’s versatility and Clay’s potential, Settle will have plenty of options next season.
“It helps them to push one another, to prepare weekly,” Settle said of the competition. “I think everybody works for that chance and knows they better take advantage of it when they get it.”
Phillip Fulmer through the years
Barbara Dooley and Pat Summitt Go Red…
Tyler Summitt through the years
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 32
imnotwithphil writes:
The Vols can stop the run - just ask Arkansas and Georgia. The real question is whether the Cheeseheads have a QB. If they do, we're in trouble. If they don't, then chalk up another win against an overrated opponent for the Great Pumpkin...
DadwasaVol writes:
Hey TouchdownTN, think the Badgers run all over the Vols? Oops, never mind.
vol4good#206163 writes:
Who wins and who looses has more to do with desire in this game. Is Ainge thinking about Wisc or NFL Draft? I really hope the fellas are preparing for this bowl game. I live in bammer country and these idiots would love to see wisc stomp TN. Please just show up this year!!!
Bigger_Al writes:
I like UT unless it rains. Rain slows the field down, reducing the speed edge and enhancing the power edge. My observation is that SEC vs. Big Televen games usually hold to this principle. Fast track - SEC rocks. Muddy track - Big Televen slogs out a victory.
james#216392 writes:
Wisc hasn't played against the great TN defense, You know the one who stopped Georgia, Arkansas and S.C. (the first half). Will they play against that one or the other TN defense? Time will tell. Go Vols.
eduardo writes:
The great TN def. are you people kidding? Did you guys not watch almost every game, where they gave up almost 400 yds. per? I expect the Badgers will do the same.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Eduardo, I thought they were being sarcastic with the "great TN defense," although our D has been kind of jekyll/hyde and we don't know for sure which will show up. I just hope its not like the Bama game where we seemed to think we didn't need to put any pressure on their qb at all.
inquiry writes:
I see some kind of rushing record being broken on Jan 1st for the Outback bowl..I think the problem with Defensive players in bowl games, is they don't or won't hit with the same intensity, thinking like this game isn't for keeps.
Is it for keeps?
TommyJack writes:
Order up a couple dozen apple fritters and refresh the batteries in the remote. This game looms ugly. Work like heck.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
errrr....imnotwithphil- good morning - errr.... Ainge is ranked 41st in NCAA QB ranking, Donovon is 40th. The Badgers won't give up early on the run. They will pound and pound.
We need an early 24-7 lead so we can spring our 2nd half sit-down and hang-on mode. They haven't seen that one yet. Go Vols.
yeavols#228407 writes:
its a sure bet everyone knows what the outcome of this game will be. I'll leave it up to you to guess. =)
pdhuff#552644 writes:
tngeoff-TJ- tell you something else the Badgers have beside runners. Armeng Hovsepian (you couldn't make this up) who must be Whitelightning's brother (glazed hero) burned a house down because he was Jesus. Any possibilities here! Madison.com - "Jesus" burns a house. It would have been ultra if Hovsepian torched a K Kreme.
Say what you will, we have Phil, they have Whitelightning and Hovsepian. Its never dull in the land of cheese. All we have is glazed and fritters. Go Vols.
TommyJack writes:
PD: I bet a KKreme bldg. would burn for weeks.
koamalina writes:
Starting with the 1998 season, when Tennessee plays in the SEC championship game, it also wins its bowl game. If UT does not play in the SEC championship game, it loses its bowl game. Maybe if UT is good enough to get to Atlanta, it is good enough to win a bowl game. For the 2007 season, let's hope this is true.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Bravo -tngeoff-Bravo!!! Someone asked about tickets to Outback. TBO.com shows $29.00 seats and up. Prices are cut already on many tickets. Both sidelines are available, upper and lower. This looks like a walk-up game.
tngeoff- Fulmer is high drama. Consider if he could add a pirouette to his 2.7" sideline leap while changing fingers aloft. Ah, the glory.
He might have even had a mighty green ogg named for him (sorry tdtn), aka the Leapin' Philoggeon! Happy New Year!
Badgersrule writes:
Imnotwithphil - Badgers overrated? Hardly. Neither are they underrated. If anything, it's the Vols who are overrated.
The Badgers have a functional QB who is more likely to hurt the D with his feet. If TE Beckum is healthy, your linebackers will be seeing him in their sleep. Arkansas couldn't stop him last year and this year will be no different. I predict a close W for the Badgers over the SEC---again. And afterwards, the SEC apologists will blame it on a lack of interest and desire.
SmackDaddies writes:
Hey VolCR
FYI, the Badgers have been one of the most successfull football teams in the Country since 1990. 10 of 13 in bowls, I believe the second best record in the big 10 since the early 90's.
Mich and OS get the rep, but the Badgers have walked the walk.
SmackDaddies writes:
My perspective on the Badgers.
QB is fair. Not the best the badgers have had, but he is ok. Decent runner, can and will pick up a first down, but is definitely a drop back passer type first. Has been hurt by WR and RB injuries.
RB - only fair, mostly because the badger O line is only fair on the run. Having said that, the Badgers still managed to have the number 2 rushing offense in the Big 10. Number of injuries. Looks like they will have Brown and Smith, along with PJ, although PJ Hill will still be limited. Brown and Smith are good RBs, not great.
WR - Big issues all year, with all three of their top WR out at some time. Swan is out, Hubbard will play, and Travis Beckum is still wearing a no contact jersey in practice. If Beckum plays, you guys will get to see the best pass catching TE in college today. No Beckum, your DB should be able to do a good job against the pass.
TE - Crooks is decent, and gets some catches because Beckum draws all the attention.
OL - decent pass blocking, fair run blocking. Not the best OL by any means.
DL - only fair. Can play well, but needs the offense to do their share.
LB - fair
DB - Hurt big time. Number 2 db is out, number 3 db is out. In their place? A senior who has started one game in his career, and two freshman who have never started. If the Dline/linebackers cant get pressure, Tenn should be able to pass, although since you lost your number 1 WR, that should help the Badgers.
Special Teams - Both the punter and the kicker will hurt you. Both have strong legs. Badgers have #1 (big 10) kickoff coverage unit, #1 punt return avg (big 10)
Coaching - Barry, and now Brett. Great records the past 20 years, great record in playoffs.
The only advantages I see the Badgers having is in the TE, special teams and coaching. if Beckum is health, your LB will be too slow, and your db to small to cover him.
I see Ten having an advantage in the passing game, in particular because of the injuries to the DB of Wisconsin. Tennessee should be able to put up allot of passing yards.
As to team speed - well, it was Ike that ran down McFadden last year, so I wouldn't put too much into the "team speed" issue. Two years ago the Badgers were way faster than auburn. Last year there were some definite mismatches, but speed did not kill the badgers (coaching killed Arkansas).
Should be a good game. if Tennessee gets up, Badgers won't catch them. If Wisconsin gets up, Tennessee can catch the Badgers because the Badger db's are so banged up.
I will be rooting for my Badgers.
SmackDaddies writes:
Your right Vol
It must suck for the SEC to have it's number 2 team smacked around by such a second rate big ten team the past two years.
SmackDaddies writes:
The second best team is the one that loses in the Championship Game. Zipperhead.
and per your tennesseescout.com
Wisconsin has built its program into a consistent power.
That term is relative, but 40 wins in four years is impressive. And the Badgers have won at least nine games four years in a row for the first time in school history. Only seven other teams have done that over the past four years.
And Wisconsin is one of only 11 teams with 21 wins over the past two years. And the Badgers are one of three programs with an active streak of four consecutive January bowl games.
invisiblekid writes:
TNGeoff, don't worry too much about that 250 yards by Brown against MN. My arthritic grandmother could get 125 against their 114nth ranked rushing defense.
invisiblekid writes:
pdhuff comes through with an instant classic, "We need an early 24-7 lead so we can spring our 2nd half sit-down and hang-on mode. They haven't seen that one yet. Go Vols."
orangebloodgmc writes:
Hey, I don't dislike the Badgies; would always pull for them over Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State. Our bowl should be just a good anything-could-happen ball game.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Badgersrule 12:06 Good post - good insight. We are a sham on defense, with Chavis doing all he can to stem the tide. If the Badgers run and run some more, they should have 225-250 on the ground which will win 90% of games.
Op-ed - Vols will run some the 1st qtr, then settle in to 3-5yd outs, interposed with a few tosses into the stands if you get any pressure.
Vols will be stunned if you get two sacks. Look for Foster to have 55 yds, Ainge 240 passing. What does this translate to? Turnovers will be crucial. If we punt 8 times, look out. We might even blitz a few times with Karl out.
My uneducated opinion is a 29-24 type game that either can win. I'll pick the Vols just on loyalty. Not that I'd bet for or against Tenn, for I've found over the years , they will break you. Happy New Year.
badger_fan_n_cali writes:
I have not missed a Wisconsin game this year, and to tell you people the truth, the biggest problem the Badgers faced all year is the spread option attack. A traditional style offense should not be a problem. Remember Arkansas was supposed to have too much team spread for the Badgers to compete, and the Badgers won that game. FYI - Being confident is not enough to win, especially this year.
badger_fan_n_cali writes:
Is it mandatory to have hater-ade with your ribs in Tennessee? A question for you guys. Who won last season's SEC - Big Ten Bowl games?
imnotwithphil writes:
Badgersrule -
Yup... signature wins over UCLA... Arkansas... and other programs with off-years in "who cares" bowls... You are a such force to be reckoned with... now shut your Yankee mouth and get back to drinking beer and freezing your Badgers off...
Unlike the little 10 - SEC teams don't get excited about the Outhouse Bowl... we have higher expectations of our programs... And playing overrated little 10 teams is NO BIG DEAL... check out UT's record against female dog-agan and Outlaw State for reference...
If you want to see what happens when a little 10 team plays an SEC team that "cares" about the outcome - tune into the National Championship game.... but be sure to be in time for the kickoff... the game will be less exciting than Madison on a Saturday night come second quarter.
imnotwithphil writes:
badger_fan_n_cali -
In the one game that counted... the SEC... by a pretty wide margin.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
tngeoff - spent 2 weeks at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin one summer in the 70s. Dated good ol' gal named Erma. Interesting but I know now where Limburger got its name. Decent beer drinking folks in the piney woods.
Don't know, one of these Badgers might know that area. Hard to forget. Go Vols.
invisiblekid writes:
Back 'atcha TNGeoff, I hope the Vols make it worth getting up early on New Years but I aint counting on it.
badger_fan_n_cali writes:
tngeoff: I was born in Chicago, but grew up in Wisconsin. I currently reside in North Hills about 10 minutes from the city of Los Angeles.
imnotwithphil: I only asked the question because I keep hearing how the SEC in the dominant conference. I always thought the final score determined the winner.
Badger05 writes:
Football is about beating the snot out of your opponent. Not about how f****** fast your players are. That is why since 1993 Wisky stomped teams like UCLA (three times), Auburn, and Arkansas even though they were underdogs going into all of those games. They will likely do the same to the Vols. As a fan, regardless of what happens, I take more satisfaction in beating a team into sumbission than being faster. F*** em' Bucky!
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