The days of December have long since passed, and to most, Dec. 28 is no more than a distant memory. However, Badger fans, Head Coach Barry Alvarez, his players and his entire staff, will not soon forget that day. The reason for that is simple: a 31-28 Wisconsin overtime victory that was one of the most remarkable wins in Wisconsin's storied football program. And although it took Wisconsin all 60-plus minutes to knock off then-No. 14 Colorado (7-2 Big 12, 9-5 overall), in what would be the most dramatic game of the elongated bowl season, outside of the National Championship, the wait was well worth it.
\I am very proud of the way our guys competed,"" Alvarez said. ""I thought they really went after things out there, never gave up and just refused to lose, led by our quarterback.""
Coming as no surprise at all, it was the quarterback, senior Brooks Bollinger, who calmly lead his teammates down the field one last time, to tie the score at 28-28 as time wound down in the fourth quarter.
""I think you always want to go out on a positive note,"" Bollinger said after the game with a dazed look in his eyes, as if it had not yet occurred to him that his career was over. ""To have my last game be like this, in that jersey, with this group of guys, makes it the most special football game I have ever played in.""
The late fourth quarter drive, which started on Wisconsin's own 20-yard line, was one of the most entertaining and nerve-wracking drives during Bollinger's career in Madison. After completing a 4th-and-18 just seconds earlier to freshman wide receiver Brandon Williams, Bollinger hooked up with sophomore Darrin Charles for a 28-yard completion at the Colorado one-yard line. From there, Bollinger tied the score with a one-yard run, sending the game into overtime.
In overtime, it would be the heroics of the struggling sophomore place kicker Mike Allen who drilled a 37-yard field goal to seal the Alamo Bowl victory.
""I am very thankful that we were able to be here,"" Allen said as he was swarmed by his teammates, seconds after kicking the game winner. ""I love San Antonio. It's great, this has been amazing. To win it this way it couldn't be any better.""
Indeed, the way in which Wisconsin was able to knock off Colorado was no different from any of the games they had won throughout the 2002 season. Besides relying on the arm and legs of Bollinger, the Badgers rushed for over 200 yards, including sophomore Anthony Davis' touchdown and 104 yards rushing.
Sophomore safety Jim Leonhard also had a huge game, intercepting Colorado's quarterback Robert Hodge in the second quarter. Leonhard's interception came while Wisconsin trailed 14-7 and with Colorado in excellent field position. Wisconsin went on to score three minutes later to climb back into the game. The interception marked his 11th on the season, the most in all of NCAA football, and tied him for the most single-season interceptions in Big Ten history.
As important as this victory was to end a turbulent season that saw its share of frustration, both Alvarez and his players hope it is something that will help motivate the younger players for next season.
""Hopefully this will springboard, and that's just what I just addressed to the young guys,"" Alvarez said. ""It springboards them into the off-season and into spring practice. With as many young guys that played, they know what it takes to win, they know what it takes to beat good teams. And hopefully we can take it from there and move forward and progress next year.\
