Just because the No. 18 Wisconsin Badgers (1-0) rose in the rankings this week, don't think Barry's boys are getting too big for their football britches. The college football season has a long way to go with many twists and turns ahead,?? but the Badgers are confident taking one game at a time.
\We just are trying to go out and take everybody one-by-one,"" senior linebacker Alex Lewis said. ""[We] don't want to treat anybody bigger than who they are.""
??Even though the Akron Zips (0-1) have quite a daunting challenge coming into Camp Randall to take on the Badgers in their home opener, it would be unwise to take these feisty Zips (kangaroos) lightly.
""They have a real good passer and also have a running back that rushed for over 1,000 yards last year,"" Lewis added.??""We are going to respect them both ways.??We are going to come out and play whatever they give us.""
A really good passer is what Akron does have.??Junior quarterback Charlie Frye is a big quarterback with a big arm who can move.??Frye went nuclear for the Zips in their opening day loss to Kent State, going 36-46 for 407 yards and three touchdowns and added another touchdown on the ground. Before the day was done Frye had set school career records for completions, passing yards and total offense.??Frye, in only his junior season, will likely own every Akron passing record before the season ends.
Senior running back Bob Hendry provides stability and consistency in the backfield as he rushed for over 1,000 yards last season and on top of that the Zips return their entire starting offensive line from last year.??The Zips, however, did find it tough to run the ball against Kent State last week, mustering only 40 yards on 30 carries, which paved the way for Frye's big day.??
If the Zips find little breathing room on the ground against the Badger's experienced defense, look for Akron Head Coach Lee Owens to unleash Frye and his arm.??Even if an aerial circus sets up shop in Camp Randall, the defense wants to remain focused on the task at hand.
""Win the game,"" Lewis said.?? ""That's about it, just win the game.?? Come out and be physical against anybody and just execute fundamentals, good fundamentals.?? That's what we worry about [for] this game.""
The good news for the souped-up, explosive Badger offense is that Akron's defense has seen better days and games then last week's loss to Kent State. The Zips defense lost all zip down the stretch, surrendering a 17-point lead with 3:29 left in the game and ultimately getting gored by Kent State's offense to the tune of 521 yards.??Akron won't find things any easier against a very balanced Wisconsin offense.
""We were pretty balanced the whole day.??We want to stay balanced.??Our run/pass ratio was 51/49 and we were 86-87 percent (13-15) throwing on first down,"" Offensive Coordinator and Running Backs Coach Brian White said. ""And 13 out of 15 is pretty good.""
Senior quarterback Jim Sorgi seemed comfortable running the newly implemented spread formations and played an extremely efficient game under center.??Sorgi went 20-34 for 215 yards and a touchdown, hardly video-game worthy stats, but Sorgi scrambled for some big first downs and made smart decisions throwing the ball.??Junior running back Anthony Davis was Mr. Dependable as always, gaining 167 yards on 30 carries in addition to also tallying up his first touchdown of the year.??With one game under the offense's belt, the Badgers might really be able to open things up.
""Our goal is always to improve and correct and get better, but the grades are really simple in this sport.??They are either pass or they are fail and we passed our first test,"" White said.??""I thought we did a lot of good things in the game, we made a lot of plays, there is a lot of room for improvement, but the signs are indicating that we can be a very good offensive team.""
One of the most important and promising aspects of the West Virginia game was the Badgers overcoming a 10-point deficit by scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter.??Due to the solid play of West Virginia's defense and a few special team blunders by the Badgers, the Mountaineers were on the verge of an upset until the Badger offense started clicking in the fourth quarter. Its the first game of the year that can really set the tempo for the rest of the season and really establish the character of a football team.
""I think [the fourth quarter] was real important,"" White said.??""I think it revealed a lot of character of our football team, our players. They should have a lot of confidence knowing that they can come from behind and play on the road against a good opponent and win.""
Here's hoping the wind keeps that Badger confidence far from the visiting team's locker room.
This will be the first meeting between the two teams in both school's history. Kickoff for the game is 2:30 p.m.
