Sports

---

Slideshow: Wisconsin Badgers vs. Northern Illinois Huskies

Defense hopes to shut down Huskies in opener

Going into Saturday's 2009 season opener against Northern Illinois with five first-time defensive starters isn't much of a concern for Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Doeren. As a matter of fact, it's not even a blip on his radar screen of concerns.

Co-starters the right move for Badgers

Coach Bret Bielema and the UW coaching staff were faced with several tough decisions before announcing the depth chart for Saturday's opener against the Northern Illinois Huskies. It's likely that the public was slightly thrown off by a depth chart that includes shared duties at both quarterback and running back.

Regular season debut will be first test for new players, coach

The University of Wisconsin men's soccer team kicks off the regular season this weekend with a pair of contests at the McClimon Soccer Complex.  Playing host to the 21st Annual Middleton Sports and Fitness Invite, the Badgers will open up the regular season slate with a match against Virginia Tech Friday at 7:30 p.m. 

Two Badgers selected for Team USA, could be headed to Olympics

Two current Wisconsin women's hockey team members will join six former Badgers and Wisconsin head coach Mark Johnson on the 2009-'10 U.S. National Hockey team and could be on their way to the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

Nigel Hayes' return gives Badgers loaded, deep roster

After entertaining the prospect of joining the professional ranks, Wisconsin junior forward Nigel Hayes has formally elected to return to school and finish out his senior season with the Badgers. Following an exceptionally rough postseason performance last year, Hayes garnered some skepticism moving into the 2016-'17 campaign.