Football head coach Bret Bielema said Monday he was impressed with the way Wisconsin played in their win against Illinois Saturday, ending a losing streak that dated back to late September.
It was a total team effort,"" Bielema said. ""It was a four-quarter game that we won, something that we weren't able to do during that four-game stretch.""
He said the win should help the Badgers put to rest the ""negative energy"" that surrounded the team prior to their first conference win against the Fighting Illini, and let the team move on to their game Saturday against No. 22 Michigan State.
The contest will be Wisconsin's first road matchup with a ranked opponent since their 13-10 victory at Fresno State Sept. 13, and Bielema predicted a tough matchup with the Spartans.
""Ever since I've been in this league as a player and as a coach, Michigan State has always '¦ been able to establish great skill, and that hasn't changed,"" he said.
On top of the Spartans' strength, the Badgers will have to overcome injuries at important offensive positions, most notably the season-ending leg fracture suffered by senior tight end Travis Beckum.
""He's been one of the few guys that [has] been full circle with me,"" Bielema said of Beckum. ""Every indication I have of him as a person, as an individual, as a competitor, as a winner [shows] he's got a lot of great things ahead of him in the future.""
Beckum returned to Wisconsin for his senior year, despite his prospects in the NFL draft. A hamstring injury kept him sidelined in some of the season's earlier games, but the leg fracture and surgery will end his college football career.
""Travis is going through a range of emotions,"" Bielema said when asked about Beckum's decision to return for his senior year. ""I don't think he'll look back in any regret.""
Injuries hurt the Badger ground game as well as junior running back P.J. Hill did not start against Illinois. Freshman John Clay ran for 88 yards in his first career start, with Hill carrying the ball just three times.
Despite these issues on offense, Bielema was impressed with the play of Wisconsin's defense, which held the Illini to a season low 309 yards of total offense. Bielema said the result was, ""a great compliment to our coaches and players.""
The Badgers will need strong defense to contain Michigan State running back Javon Ringer, who racked up 194 yards rushing last weekend against Michigan and leads the Big Ten in rushing yards.
Ringer is a threat to the Wisconsin defense, which had trouble stopping Iowa running back Shonn Greene.
Bielema said challenges against the Spartans will be important in determining how the rest of the Badgers' football season goes, and whether they will have success in a post-season bowl game.
""Where we take our season in the next four weeks is going to be determined in how we handle this Saturday, and that's the only direction I have,"" Bielema said. ""I don't see any other way to do it.""
