There is a slight but prevalent distinction between development and rebirth. Development is steady and constant, the more predictable of the two processes. Rebirth brings to mind a more sudden change in the form of a revival-carrying a connotation of a noticeable shift at the hands of an unobservable catalyst.
Senior cornerback Scott Starks can pinpoint his rebirth of sorts, when he devoted his life to God-a commitment that would also lead to his vivification on the football field. This is not to say that a change brought about by a new-found belief in God is unobservable, or in any way abstract or intangible-because for some, faith in God is real and its effects are tangible-but it is important to note that Starks has come a long way since his freshman year and his improvement was not necessarily gradual.
Behind the seemingly semantic argument lies the real reason for Starks' maturity which has made him the shutdown corner UW fans have come to know and love. The only truth to the change in his game and approach is his own truth, and he will tell you it was when he got his priorities straight and put God first. Call this realignment of priorities a sudden transformation or the final and logical step in a long developmental process, but either way, everyone who bleeds cardinal and white is happy to see he has arrived.
With Wisconsin's chance at a Big Ten title, a perfect season and a trip to a Bowl Championship Series berth fading faster than a home-run ball into the October night, Purdue senior
quarterback Kyle Orton faked the handoff on third and two with 2:36 remaining, and rolled out on a naked bootleg to the right side of the field where he saw daylight, smelled roses and felt as if he and the Boilermakers had victory in their grasp.
Starks saw it all develop, did not smell roses but sniffed out the play, and felt as if Orton's grasp on the ball was not so tight. Listed at a generous 5'10', Starks naturally went low on Orton, sending him head over heels and into the hands of senior safety Robert Brooks who jarred the ball loose. Starks could hardly believe what lay before him when he looked up. The ball was within reach, and even stranger, motionless.
He scooped up the fumble with ease and ran perhaps the fastest 40 of his life to score the game-winning touchdown. As a \SportsCenter"" anchor might say when referencing the highlight, ""he was running like people were chasing him."" Of course, the play did draw some attention-and rightfully so. After all, it was the biggest play of the season for the Badgers, had national implications and was arguably the most exciting play in college football to this point-unless you are in West Lafayette, Ind., where those poor Purdue fans must have pounded ""Boilermakers"" until bar time, trying to numb the pain or at least drown their sorrows.
With the help of his savior, Starks saved the Badgers' season. He also recorded eight solo tackles, nine in all, and intercepted former Heisman-hopeful Orton, not to mention getting the signal-caller off his feet and setting into motion the chain of events that would cement the Badgers' first 7-0 start since 1912.
Just how far has Starks come? Flash back to Oct. 27, 2001, when a young, healthy and promising tandem of Lee Evans and Anthony Davis were leading the offense and giving Wisconsin fans reason believe the days of Buckeye and Wolverine supremacy were about to be history. UW was competing against Michigan State when Starks, only a freshman, got lit up by wide receiver-and eventual No. 2 overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft-Charles Rogers for 206 yards on five catches and two touchdowns.
Despite the growing pains, Starks says the true low point of his career came at the beginning of last year during the UNLV game when he was pulled from the starting lineup due to inconsistent play. After the game he thought about quitting the team and walking away from football, but consulted with his family before ultimately deciding. With their guidance, he embraced a new outlook on life-one that transcended football, but undeniably affected his decision to play it-that gave him the peace of mind necessary to continue his career. Once he found his faith, his level of play ascended to new heights and he was never the same defensive back again.
This season, Starks has become more comfortable at his position and reminds coaches and fans alike of former All-American and Badger great Jamar Fletcher. The similarities between the two are staggering. They both graduated from Hazelwood East High School in St. Louis, both adorn the No. 2 and most importantly, both possess the one characteristic inherent to success at the cornerback position-swagger.
When he suits up on Saturdays, Starks is ready for any challenge that the physical receiver across from him may pose. He compensates for his small stature with that confidence, as well as the freakish athleticism and strength he possesses. Bigger and stronger wideouts who may have a few inches on Starks are better off trying to overpower him because of his exceptional speed and his cartoonishly large calves-and thus his phenomenal vertical-which allow him to snag jump balls.
Coming into his senior year Starks knew the defense needed solid play at the corners with senior safety Jim Leonhard patrolling the defensive backfield and Erasmus James tormenting the quarterback-he provided just that. Saturday's game was a microcosm of Starks' career in a Wisconsin uniform-he struggled early but came up big when he had to.
Early in the game he was given a gift interception, but was a bit shaky in coverage and started to become a concern when he got burned deep two separate times in the second half and was called for pass interference each time. Quietly, he held the nation's leader in touchdown receptions, Taylor Stubblefield, to 11, with just 40 yards and no touchdown catches. When time expired, however, it was clear beyond a shadow of a doubt that he had gone from liability to hero. Starks, aptly nicknamed ""Sparky,"" gave his team the spark it needed to keep the undefeated season in tact.
Regardless of whom or what Starks or others credit with his success, there is no reason why his stellar play will not continue late into the year, or even precisely four days into the next.
Whether it was his faith that propelled him to pick up that ball-in the process, restoring the hopes and dreams of Wisconsin football fanatics everywhere-or some other higher power smiling down upon him, one thing is for sure: Lately, his play has been nothing short of divine.
Ben Hubner is a sophomore intending to major in journalism.
