Top 10 moments of the Bret Bielema era
June 20, 2009 | Football
A lot of things can happen in three years. In three years as head football coach at Wisconsin, Bret Bielema has led his squad to a school-record 12-win season in 2006, coached through some of the biggest comebacks in school history and has kept alive a long-standing bowl streak, among many other things.
As part of the 100 Days Till Kickoff, today we pin point the top 10 moments in Bielema 's tenure at Wisconsin.
10. sportid=111&storyid=11706"> --> Wisconsin-37, Michigan State-34
Sept. 29, 2007
Camp Randall Stadium
The Badgers' win over the Spartans gave them their 14th-straight victory, which was the longest winning streak in the country at the time and the second-longest winning streak in school history. Travis Beckum and P.J. Hill powered the UW offense that day as each accumulated 100+ yards each.
9. sportid=111&storyid=11560"> --> Wisconsin-20, UNLV-13
Sept. 8, 2007
Sam Boyd Stadium
Las Vegas, Nev.
Despite trailing 13-12 with 7:43 left in the game, a late rally by the Badgers gave them the victory in the desert. Tyler Donovan scored the final points of the game with just 1:53 remaining after a 29-yard touchdown run. That play capped off a 10-play 61-yard drive that ate 5:40 off the clock and gave Wisconsin its 11th-straight victory.
8. sportid=111&storyid=14976"> --> Wisconsin-13, Fresno State-10
Sept. 14, 2008
Bulldog Stadium
Fresno, Calif.
On paper, Wisconsin had the higher ranking (10th) than Fresno State (21st), but the record books gave the advantage to the home team. Before this win over the Bulldogs, Wisconsin had not defeated a ranked non-conference opponent on the road since 1958.
7. sportid=111&storyid=9525"> --> Wisconsin-30, Illinois-24
Oct. 28, 2006
Camp Randall Stadium
After a sluggish first half, the Badger offense turned it up in the second half against the Illini to tie for the second-largest comeback in school history. Illinois jumped out to a 21-3 lead and was up 24-10 at halftime but Wisconsin scored 20 unanswered points in the second half and limited the Illini to just 86 yards in the final 30 minutes.
6. sportid=111&storyid=9673"> --> Wisconsin-24, Iowa-21
Nov. 11, 2006
Kinnick Stadium
Iowa City, Iowa
The 2006 Big Ten season ended on a high note for the Badgers as they snapped a four-game losing streak against the Hawkeyes. Tyler Donovan made his first career start and racked up 289 yards of total offense, went 17-of-25 for 228 passing yards and two touchdowns. The win also was Bielema's 10th of the season, making him the first coach in Big Ten history to record 10 wins in his rookie season.
5. sportid=111&storyid=15723"> --> Wisconsin-35, Minnesota-32
Nov. 15, 2008
Camp Randall Stadium
Strange things tend to happen in the Wisconsin/Minnesota football series and 2008 was no different. Down by 14 points in the second half, Wisconsin's defense and special teams unit stepped up with two fourth-quarter safeties and forced a fumble to set up the game-clinching score. With the win, the Paul Bunyan Axe stayed in Madison for the fifth-consecutive season and Wisconsin became bowl eligible for the seventh-straight season.
4. Nov. 21, 2006
sportid=111&storyid=9760"> --> Bielema named Dave McClain Big Ten Coach of the Year
Before the Badgers could even put the finishing touches on the 2006 season, Bielema was named the Dave McClain Big Ten Coach of the Year. He joined his successor, Barry Alvarez, as the only two coaches in school history to win the award. At the time, Bielema was just the sixth rookie head coach in NCAA history to guide his team to 11 victories. Bielema and the Badgers would tack on one more win before the season ended.
3. sportid=111&storyid=12133"> --> Wisconsin-37, Michigan-21
Nov. 10, 2007
Camp Randall Stadium
Wisconsin had an offensive explosion in its win over 13th-ranked Michigan. Zach Brown, Paul Hubbard and Travis Beckum each registered more than 100 yards in the comfortable victory. The Badgers' 37 points were the most ever scored on Michigan in the all-time series. That game also marked the 39th victory for the senior class, giving them more wins than any other senior class in school history.
2. sportid=111&storyid=9965"> --> 2007 Capital One Bowl , sportid=111&storyid=12557"> --> 2008 Outback Bowl , sportid=111&storyid=16205"> --> 2008 Champs Sports Bowl
Wisconsin has played in three-straight Florida bowl games and two New Year's Day bowl games during Bielema's tenure. UW has extended its bowl streak to a school-record seven-consecutive seasons. This is the second-longest active streak in the Big Ten.
1. sportid=111&storyid=9965"> --> Wisconsin-17, Arkansas-14
Jan. 1, 2007
Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium
Orlando, Fla.
Wisconsin put the finishing touches on a nearly perfect 2006 season with a statement win over Arkansas from the SEC. Quarterback John Stocco was named most valuable player after going 14-of-34 for 206 yards and two touchdowns. The win was Wisconsin's 12th of the season and set a school record for most wins in a season.
Countdown to kickoff (Sept 5)
- sportid=111&storyid=18196"> --> Day 80 (with links to days 100-81): Three and out with Dan Moore
- sportid=111&storyid=18200"> --> Day 79: Student football and men's hockey season ticket sales start Monday
- sportid=111&storyid=18209"> --> Day 78: Badgers in the NFL page updated
