Thursday, September 10, 2009 - The Daily Cardinal

Stem-cell research on campus: Are undergrads given a fair shot to be the future?

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Thursday, September 10, 2009

Firm for UW System HR project investigated

Neumann formally announces candidacy

By Hannah Furfaro THE DAILY CARDINAL

reduce particulate matter and harmful carbon emissions by approximately 50 percent.

Conversion would require the expansion and upgrade of current Mills Street facilities. Plans for the new plant call for the replacement of three of four coal-fired boilers with those that burn natural gas, the retrofitting of the fourth to burn natural gas and biomass and one new boiler to burn biomass.

“We will be phasing out coal as soon as we possibly can,” John

Former congressman Mark Neumann said he would hold the line on government spending if elected governor when he formally announced his candidacy for the 2010 gubernatorial primary Wednesday.

Neumann spoke with reporters through an online news conference and hosted a live town hall meeting to highlight his views on taxation and education while talking directly with Wisconsin citizens about their concerns.

He said he aimed to create a campaign that is “accessible like no other campaign in the history of Wisconsin” and emphasized the importance of using technological means to bring the state together.

Neumann said his top priorities include creating and retaining jobs in Wisconsin, reforming the current tax structure and developing a world-class education system. He said he opposes government takeover of health care and would support rolling back tax increases on cigarettes.

Mike Tate, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said he was not impressed by Neumann’s use of interactive campaign methods and called Neumann “out-of-touch.”

“Mark Neumann’s record of extremism speaks for itself, and no amount of technology or creativity can cover up his extreme right-wing views and anti-consumer business practices,”

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By Ryan Hebel THE DAILY CARDINAL

The main consulting firm for the UW System’s proposed $81.5 million human resources project has been under investigation since early August for accounting issues, UW System President Kevin Reilly told state lawmakers Wednesday.

The announcement follows an Associated Press article that highlighted the UWS project and its yearly budget of $33.5 million, which the UW Board of Regents will debate at a meeting Thursday.

According to UW System Spokesperson David Giroux, there is no evidence yet that the contracted firm, Huron Consulting— with 22 employees working on the UW project at a $174 per hour billing rate—will not be able to complete its duties as contracted.

“We know today that the people on the ground here are doing good work ... there’s absolutely no change in their performance,” Giroux said.

Although Huron’s stock plummeted 69 percent and its CEO and several other executives resigned immediately following the firm’s announcement that it would be restating its earnings and the subsequent investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Giroux said only one of Huron’s approximately 700 clients has dropped them as a contractor.

In a press release Wednesday, state Rep. Steve Nass, RWhitewater, said Reilly had “violated the public trust” by not coming to lawmakers about the issue sooner.

“You cannot go forward with a project while this company is under such scrutiny,” said Mike Mikalsen, from Nass’ staff. “At a minimum, wait until there’s better clarification to the exact nature of how bad this corporate scandal was.”

But Giroux said delaying the project would be costly.

“Stopping the project now will cost the state millions and millions of dollars,” Giroux said. He said 60 UW staff and 17 subcontractors are also working on the project.

Giroux said the project is necessary to fix the UW System’s outdated HR system and that the university has “put in extraordinary protections” in case problems arise from the Huron investigation.

According to Giroux, more than $50 million of the project will come from the UW System’s reserve fund over the next seven years.

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LORENZO ZEMELLA/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Officials outline plans to discontinue the use of coal at the Charter Street heating plant Wednesday.

Power plant to switch to renewable biofuels

By Elise Larson THE DAILY CARDINAL

UW-Madison Facilities Planning and Management plans to completely phase coal out of operations in the Charter Street heating plant by 2013, soliciting public feedback at a meeting Wednesday.

The Charter Street heating plant primarily supplies direct heating and cooling to a large portion of the over 20 million square feet of buildings on campus. Historically, the plant has consumed as much as 135,000 tons of coal per year in order to accomplish this goal.

Wisconsin’s Department of Administration and UW-Madison are seeking to shift the heating and cooling energy burden to renewable biofuels and natural gas.

Officials hope to begin the $250 million project by 2010 and anticipate completion by the 2013-2014 heating season.

According to UW-Madison Associate Vice Chancellor Al Fish, coal will eventually be completely eliminated at the facility.

Experts predict the conversion will reduce overall heavy metal and ozone emissions by 90 percent and

State awarded $16 million in federal funds for clean energy initiatives

By Robert Taylor THE DAILY CARDINAL

Wisconsin will receive $16 million in clean energy funding as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Gov. Jim Doyle announced Wednesday.

Wisconsin was awarded the maximum $15 million federal grant in support of an aggressive state effort to improve overall energy efficiency and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

The state was awarded an additional $1 million competitive grant toward the development of an advanced distribution and retail network that will increase consumer access to biofuels such as biodiesel and E-85 ethanol.

“Wisconsin has the resources and skills to lead the nation in clean energy, and this major investment will make significant progress toward my goal of getting 25 percent of our electricity and 25 percent of

our transportation fuels from renewable sources by 2025,” Doyle said.

Doyle said innovative clean energy vehicles represent the future for Wisconsin neighborhoods, campuses and businesses. He also said spending transparency and accountability is important.

“People can go and see where every dollar of recovery act money is being spent and they can see that we are certainly emphasizing important priorities for Wisconsin.”

Five hundred vehicles in 119 communities and businesses throughout Wisconsin will be replaced or upgraded as part of the clean energy initiative. Doyle said the new vehicle purchases will save the state 1.6 million gallons of fuel each year and will help support the growth of local clean funding page 3

World’s fair

LORENZO ZEMELLA/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Students explore educational opportunities with various countries at the Study Abroad fair held Wednesday in the Memorial Union.

“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”

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Thursday, September 10, 2009

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WEEKEND: partly sunny hi 79º / lo 56º dailycardinal.com/page-two

Jillian’s spreading around some H1NFun

Volume 119, Issue 6

2142 Vilas Communication Hall 821 University Avenue Madison, Wis., 53706-1497

TODAY: mostly sunny hi 79º / lo 57º

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ith the recent outbreak of swine flu—I mean H1N1—on campus I figured every student will have several choices when faced with this menacing disease, and I find it my duty to present to the student body one previously unmentioned alternative to fighting off the flu.

I’ve decided to try to contract and spread influenza intentionally.

Getting the flu certainly isn’t pleasant and is rarely considered fun, but I don’t think it always has to be as horrible as most people find it to be. I think deciding on your own terms when you’re going to get sick will make the whole experience a lot easier to deal with.

I plan on picking a long weekend where it will be convenient for me to fall deathly ill—before the first wave of midterms but after it’s too

cold to enjoy the weather. Though I caution: Plan your outbreak carefully or you could find yourself wheezing through two in-class essays or missing Badger gameday shenanigans.

I’ll walk into UHS, lick every door handle, pen, nurse and sickly looking person and return to my bed to await the myriad symptoms and H1NFun to follow.

Other possible options are trying to stave off the virus by taking vitamins, eating fruits and veggies and getting 7.5 hours of sleep a night... but to me, that’s just too much effort.

UHS, Chancellor Biddy and a growing list of university officials have all sent out e-mails detailing how students can ward off death by washing their hands and whatnot, but instead I offer a few ideas on how to keep yourself sane and entertained once you do get ill (which apparently 40 percent of you will).

My first plan of action, once befallen with the feared H1N1, will be to contaminate my boyfriend and roommates so that I’ll have playmates while I’m holed up in my apartment.

And since vomiting isn’t a common

symptom of H1N1, I won’t have to worry about excessive messes with four sick people in one house.

I figure I’ll have about 48 hours of feeling truly shitty, but after that I’ll have at least a week to ride out my flu symptoms and enjoy my sickleave from life.

My nails are in serious need of polishing, and my boyfriend—who has a shitty immune system due to his hatred of vitamins and vegetables and belief that all the nutrients he needs are contained in a can of Miller Lite—has eyebrows that are begging to be tweezed.

I also plan on playing copious amounts of Mall Madness and watching all three seasons of “Dexter” on repeat until I recover. Nothing makes me feel better than chugging Gatorade and watching a sexy serial killer stalk around Miami.

Getting sick isn’t a very common occurrence for me. Once in fourth grade, I got food poisoning after eating a bratwurst before the schoolwide talent show and threw up backstage all over my violin and Nicole Medina.

After that, I’ve dealt with my fair share of colds and sinus infections and the occasional herpes outbreak (OK, that last one was a bit of a stretch, but I’m seriously illness-free and my list was too short and boring) but not a shut-myself-awayfrom-the-world case of the flu since grammar school.

I don’t think being sick should have to be a sad and solitary thing.

Misery loves company, and H1N1 loves a party. So, instead of carrying around a bottle of Germ-X in your back pocket, embrace a relaxing couple of guilt-free class-skipping, calling-in-sick-to-work days.

The semester is going to be long and hard enough; we don’t all need to worry about Lysoling our lecture desks, obsessive-compulsively washing our hands and avoiding contact with other human beings until winter break. Go out, have some fun, get the flu... and get over it.

If you want to join Jillian for her Swine Flu Soiree, e-mail her at jlevy2@wisc.edu, but move quickly because demand is high and spots are filling up fast.

New Beer Thursday New Belgium Brewing sunshine wheat Welcome back to New Beer Thursday, our favorite reason to drink while working.

Last spring we left off with two blockbuster New Belgium beers—Fat Tire and 1554—which had just reached Wisconsin palates for the first time.

Now we take a look at a third beer in their line: Sunshine.

Sunshine Wheat is pegged as an American pale ale brewed with wheat and barley. Its light golden color is a warning you’re not exactly getting a manly beer, and its nose is hard to find, hiding faint whiffs of wheat and orange peel.

It offers an ever-so-slightly wheat flavor that doesn’t linger, and the everso-slightlier orange and spices blended in make it go down in a very smooth and agreeable manner. The aftertaste the spices lend is more flavorful than a light beer, but doesn’t stand out or give itself away.

With that said, sometimes you

need that extra kick to remind you what you’re drinking. Plus at 4.8 percent alcohol, Sunshine isn’t usually just agreeable, it’s a little too agreeable.

At the end of the day this is a specialty beer to save for a hot, sunshine-y day. None of the flavors are striking or overwhelming, but that’s how they’re supposed to taste.

So it’s perfect whenever that last day of fun in the sun comes, but if you happen to buy a couple extras, you won’t be quite as satisfied when you crack one open to polish them off before you go to bed on one of those autumn school nights.

• Sunshine Wheat • $8.99 at Riley’s Wines of the World

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Thursday, September 10, 2009

Peace Park renovation set to begin construction in late fall

By Grace Urban THE DAILY CARDINAL

Lisa Link Peace Park, a popular gathering place for Madison residents, will be getting a facelift come November.

Mike Sturm of Ken Saiki Design, the leading architectural firm on the project, gave an update on renovation plans to a State Street Merchants committee Wednesday. Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said the renovation is long overdue.

“It has been a constant frustration for years that the park is so underutilized,” Verveer said. “The number one goal of the renovation is to provide for a much more attractive setting that encourages folks to use the park in a much greater number.”

According to John Hutchinson, president of the committee and supporter of the proposal, the project has been in the works for eight to ten years and will include a visitors center.

ISABEL ALVAREZ/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Lisa Link Peace Park, nestled between State and Gilman, will soon be able to provide an array of ammenities to residents and visitors.

neumann from page 1

funding from page 1

he said in a statement.

Amy Pelishek, aid to Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton’s campaign, said Lawton is looking forward to the campaign season.

“Lt. Gov. Lawton welcomes Mr. Neumann to the race and looks forward to a good spirited campaign and the best ideas for Wisconsin’s economic recovery,” Pelishek said.

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, a contender for the Republican nomination, released a statement Wednesday that did not mention Neumann’s announcement.

“Our campaign is a discussion with voters who care about our state, care about getting our economy back on track and care about getting Wisconsin working again. This will continue to be my focus through next November,” Walker said.

Neumann will host several radio town hall meetings across Wisconsin throughout the rest of the week.

energy industries.

Doyle’s announcement came on the heels of the stimulus-funded Cash for Clunkers program, which replaced 700,000 fuel-inefficient cars nationwide.

plant from page 1 Harrod, UW-Madison physical plant director, said.

Dependence on biomass as an energy source would mean an increase in traffic coming into the plant.

Accordingly, officials said they are paying special attention to and looking for feedback on how construction and expansion would affect public, private and pedestrian transit in the area.

No market currently exists in the area specifically for the production or purchase of renewable biomass fuel, though officials said they are confident that sufficient material can be acquired within a 100 mile radius once a stable market has been established.

Although officials said there is not yet a design for the project, they do have concepts planned out.

“We’re anxious to get your feedback ... to evaluate and plan for what is really a dramatic transformation investment,” Fish said.

“The goal of the visitors center is to have a more welcoming environment for visitors so they can figure out where to go [in Madison],” Hutchinson said.

The renovation is due to finish in July 2010 and will include a performance space, ATM, fountain and bathrooms in addition to the visitors center.

“We want to maximize use ... [and] make it a really flexible space,” Sturm said.

According to Sturm, the project is slightly over budget and currently projected to cost just over $400,000.

The company hopes to combat that issue by providing a sufficient amount of time for contractors to submit bids on the project.

“We’ll begin prep work this fall while the bid process is going on,” Sturm said. “That way we can give more time for contractors to submit good bids.”

Committee members additionally expressed concern about lighting of the area, but Sturm assured them that, by working with the Madison Police Department, supporters will ensure the area is well-lit.

Sturm added, “We want it be an active, preferred performance space.”

Final voting on the project will take place next week.

“We have worked very hard on a plan to advance clean energy in Wisconsin and it has a number of very important goals: to create new jobs, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels by diversifying our fuel supply, save money and clean our air and water,” he said.

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Officials encourage students to seek support, utilize resources UW-Madison officials urge students to reach out to campus resources for support and counseling following the death of a UW-Madison student in the dorms Tuesday.

Dean of Students Lori Berquam said if students on campus are going through difficult times, she hopes they try to seek help rather than suffer alone.

She added that she wants students to be aware of the many resources on campus that are available to all UWMadison students.

“There is a wealth of people here on campus who care about students, who care about what they’re going through and who really want them to be academi-

cally successful here,” she said.

UW-Madison Police Department officials said Wednesday that no foul play was involved in the death of the student, but that they will continue to investigate the situation.

“Anytime we have the death of a student ... we always take it very seriously,” UWPD Lt. Pete Ystenes said. “So we will investigate thoroughly to make sure we cover all the bases.”

According to a UW-Madison release, students who are in need of someone to talk to should go to their house fellows, resident life staff members or the University Health Services counseling center.

—Kelsey Gunderson

Tenants: be wary of returned deposits

By Caitlin Gath THE DAILY CARDINAL

With the rush of student move-in now over, the rush of returned security deposits is set to take its place.

According to Brenda Konkel, executive director of the Tenant Resource Center in Madison, security deposits will be sent to the majority of renters in the downtown and campus area by the end of the week, if they have not already been sent.

Konkel said stress renters, especially students, to be aware of their security deposit rights in case illegal deductions are made.

“There are some landlords that sort of routinely take hundreds of dollars out of security deposits and students don’t fight back so they get away with it,” Konkel said.

In the city of Madison, security deposits cannot be more than one month’s rent and landlords are

not allowed to withhold money for normal wear and tear, such as carpet cleaning, re-painting and window washing.

According to the tenant resource center’s website, www. tenantresourcecenter.org, landlords are required to provide a check-in form at the time of move-in in order to document any pre-existing damages.

“Particularly with security deposits, you can sue up to three times so trying to work out a deal with the landlord is usually effective,” she said. “If they owe you $300 and you sue for $900 and then you settle for $500, both parties end up happy.”

In addition, a Madison statute enacted in 2008 requires landlords to document claims with photographs when available so that stronger evidence can be made available.

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Thursday, September 10, 2009

Upholding an ever-expanding science:

Stem cells

Researchers and students at UW-Madison wonder whether the stigma connected to stem cells from the Bush era will affect the future of stem-cell research.

Story by Diana Savage

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W-Madison stem-cell researcher and professor of anatomy James Thomson worried little about the funding for stem-cell research during President Bush’s terms. He especially did not think it impacted the amount of people involved in stem-cell research.

“What was damaging, however, is the perception that it was highly controversial,” Thomson said.

“The government [did not] fund it, so young people didn’t tend to go into the field.”

Last March, President Obama removed the Bush-era restrictions on funding for embryonic stemcell research. However, even with President Obama’s actions, undergraduates may not pursue stemcell research as actively as current scientists because of a lasting stigma associated with it.

The lower number of undergraduates involved in stem-cell research on campus, as compared to the number of graduate and postdoctoral students suggests some potential problems in the future for stem-cell research on campus.

UW-Madison graduate Ka Ling moved from Singapore four years ago, eager to research stem cells.

“I know my interests,” Ling said. “I want to work with embryonic stem cells in the future.”

Ling was among the handful of undergraduate students at UWMadison that perform research in stem-cell laboratories.

“It’s not easy being an undergraduate in lab, but I think it’s great experience if you have any interest in science,” Ling said.

Ling said the main factor contributing to the dwindling num-

DANNY MARCHEWKA/THE DAILY CARDINAL

UW-Madison graduate student Justin Brumbaugh researches stem cells. ber of undergraduates in stem-cell research is a lack of opportunities.

She said any opposition to stem-cell research has not been significant enough to discourage her from research, nor does she think it discourages other undergraduate students too much.

“Maybe because we’re students, we’re younger so [opponents of the research] don’t have such a strong resentment against us,” she said.

“Madison has a really supportive “If you look at the publications, there’s just a huge number, a kind of exponential increase right now, both for our [embryonic] stem cells and the reprogrammed stem cells.”

James Thomson stem-cell researcher UW-Madison

environment for stem cells.”

Thomson, a world-renowned UW-Madison stem-cell scientist, on the other hand, said he believes undergraduate students on campus must change their negative perception of stem-cell research, as many current scientists have, to continue the expansion of the techniques.

Based on the number of scientists currently involved in stemcell research, Thomson is confident that it will continue to improve.

“There’s always a timeline for a new field,” Thomson said. “If you look at publications, there’s just a huge number, a kind of exponential increase right now, both for our [embryonic] stem cells and the reprogrammed stem cells, so in spite of the politics, [stem cell

research has] taken off that way.”

UW-Madison graduate student Justin Brumbaugh, who works in Thomson’s research lab, believes undergraduates will continue to perform stem-cell research as long as they are properly educated on the procedures.

“One thing that’s important is getting people to understand what stem-cell research is,” Brumbaugh said. “We establish stem-cell lines, so it is not [the case that] every time we do an experiment an embryo has to be destroyed.”

Some professors at UWMadison view the lifting of the restrictions as a precursor to a progressive future for stem-cell research.

UW-Madison professor of law and bioethics Alta Charo said scientists of every age will be changing their attitudes on stem-cell research, according to a March 2009 article in the Wisconsin State Journal.

UW-Madison professor of anatomy and neurology Clive Svendsen said it will take more than expanded funding to strengthen the future of stem-cell research.

Svendsen, who teaches a stemcell seminar open only to graduate students and select senior undergraduate students, hopes to see the stem-cell curriculum expand to include all undergraduates in the future. Out of the eight stem-cell courses offered this spring, only one class is open to all undergraduate students.

Although Svendsen said he would like to open an undergraduate section of the course, the complexities of stem-cell research may be too rigorous for some

younger students. According to Svendsen, if the university offered a course on at least the fundamentals of stem-cell research, it would be enough to spark interest in undergraduates.

Svendsen said Obama’s recent support of stem cells may alter students’ opinions because students formerly opposed to stem-cell research will be more open to it, according to the State Journal article.

Organizations on campus like WiCell are working to involve the younger generation in stemcell research.

WiCell, a nonprofit research institute, offers a summer camp for high school students to give them early exposure to maintaining stem cells and coaxing them to grow into specialized cells.

“There’s a tremendous response [to the camp], both in applications and in the feedback,” Brumbaugh said. “WiCell does a great job with it and everyone is really pleased.”

Ling said she believes there is still room for growth in undergraduate involvement in stemcell research, and in order for that to occur, students should guide other students in finding lab opportunities.

“I guess there are tons of undergraduates interested in research but the problem is they are not sure where to start,” Ling said, adding that the best way to get them started is to teach undergraduates how to approach profes-

sors about research opportunities.

“It’s kind of complex why a scientist chooses a particular area of research,” Thomson said. “It has to do with your outlook on things, which I think is cool, and part of that is wanting to do something that’s relevant to real medicine, and [stem-cell research] satisfies that, but I think at the end of the day, most scientists are more interested in understanding things.”

Stem cells have the potential to become specialized cells, like blood cells, neural cells and muscle cells.

GRAPHIC BY JENNY PEEK/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Stem cells: Too complicated for undergraduates?

DANNY MARCHEWKA/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Justin Brumbaugh displays part of his research: a mixture of DNA and protein.

Palmer Yu, UW-Madison graduate student in Thomson’s lab, said it is not a lack of interest driving undergraduates away from stem-cell research, but rather the level of complexity involved in it. According to Yu, the small number of undergraduate students doing stem-cell research does not necessarily project a weak future for stem cell research.

“Most research is by post docs and scientists,” Yu said, adding that stem cell research can be difficult not just for undergraduate students, but for graduate students as well. “I can see why because it’s a lot of commitment and your project might burn and fail.”

According to Yu, stem-cell research takes up a lot of resources and time, which puts a toll on the primary investigator, who may have to correct mistakes that graduate students and undergraduate students would make more often than postdoctoral students.

“I don’t think a lot of undergrads actually understand the challenging part of doing research in this field,” Yu said. “It is a hot topic but it is not just going to generate miracles tomorrow.”

Fresno State at Wisconsin Camp Randall • 11 a.m. • ESPN

PAGE B2 Team rosters and game information PAGE B6 National Outlook

5 THINGS TO WATCH

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Saturday, September 12, 2009

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QUARTERBACK AND FORTH

LORENZO ZEMELLA/THE DAILY CARDINAL

By Nick Schmitt THE DAILY CARDINAL

If the Badgers’ first offensive play last week is any indication of how the two quarterback system will affect opposing defenses, Wisconsin’s quarterbacks should enjoy some great games and put up some impressive numbers.

But the question surrounding the team is can a two-quarterback system really work at the University of Wisconsin?

When junior Isaac Anderson secured senior Scott Tolzien’s deep pass and sprinted to the end zone the answer definitely seemed to be yes.

Over the summer Tolzien and freshman Curt Phillips both earned the right to take the field as Wisconsin’s quarterback in the eyes of offensive coordinator Paul Chryst. So when head coach Bret Bielema released the depth chart in late August, the two-quarterback experience began for Badger fans.

Tolzien and Phillips each feel the coaches made the right decision when choosing to play both of them. Their contrasting styles can be a tricky situation for opposing teams.

“It’s another thing for defenses to have to prepare for,” Tolzien said. “It adds a new dimension to our offense and makes us more dynamic. They have a week to prepare for our offense and in that week’s time that’s a whole other segment they have to study and practice for.”

Most of the reps against Northern Illinois went to Tolzien and he took advantage. His 257 yards through the air are the most of any Wisconsin quarterback starting his first game. And although Phillips only led two drives he should start to see more playing time as he becomes comfortable with the offense.

The initial thought after seeing how coach Bielema used Tolzien

and Phillips in the first game is Phillips is a runner and Tolzien is a passer, but both quarterbacks are eager to show what each of them can do on the field.

“It’s another thing for defenses to have to prepare for. It adds a new dimension to our offense and makes us more dynamic.”

Scott Tolzien senior quarterback UW football

“Traditionally I’m more your pocket passer and Curt’s got the wheels, but I think Curt can throw the ball as good as anyone,” Tolzien said. “And I feel like I can do something with my feet, that’s not going to be my primary choice of making plays, but I can still do some things with my feet as well.”

The forgotten hero in all this is senior Dustin Sherer. After taking over as the starting quarterback last year, Sherer has taken a back seat and become a mentor to Tolzien and Phillips.

“He’s huge,” Phillips said. “He helps us out a lot, especially me with not having much experience at all. He’s set me down, before games and during the weekend meetings, just explaining stuff, [helping me] keep my head in things and letting me know what he learned through his experiences last year.”

Like Phillips, Tolzien couldn’t praise the work of Sherer enough.

“Everyone wants to talk about me and Curt [Phillips] because in the first game we were the ones on the field, but Dustin [Sherer]’s the guy behind the scenes that has been awesome,” he said. “He’s just been invaluable for me and Curt [Phillips] just because he’s been out there. He sees things.

He can manage the game. He’s like having another coach on the sideline and it’s great. It’s really huge to have Dustin on the sideline with us.”

Against Fresno State the coaches plan to play it similar to last weekend, with Tolzien taking the majority of the reps and Phillips helping here and there.

Other top college football teams have used the two-quarterback system with success. Last year Ohio State started the season using both Todd Boeckman and Terrelle Pryor and they ended up playing in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. In 2006 Florida, under head coach Urban Meyer, used both Chris Leak and Tim Tebow to help lead the Gators to the BCS National Championship.

Can putting both Tolzien and Phillips on the field lead the Badgers to a January Bowl? Only time will tell.

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Wisconsin vs. Fresno State

INSIDE THE GAME

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Wisconsin Badgers (0-0 Big Ten, 1-0 overall) vs. Fresno State Bulldogs (0-0 WAC, 1-0 overall) Series: Wisconsin leads the series, 2-1

Time: 11 a.m.

TV: ESPN Radio: Wisconsin Radio Network (with Matt Lepay and Mike Lucas)

Wisconsin’s Bret Bielema (Fourth year as head coach: 29-11 career) and Fresno State’s Pat Hill (13th year as head coach: 93-61 career).

The Badgers last welcomed Fresno State to Camp Randall in 2002, defeating the Bulldogs 23-21.

Fresno State Bulldogs

Wisconsin Badgers team roster

team roster 01 02 03 04 04 04 05 06 08 08 10 11 13 15 15 16 17 17 18 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 36 37 38 38 39 40 36 37 38 39 40 40 41 42 42 43 44 45 46 47

Miller, Lonyae Ajirotutu, Seyi Harris, Moses Feathers, Ebahn Owens, Damion Carr, Derek Moore, Marlon West, Chastin Thomas, Phillip Rouse, Robbie Green, Isaiah Evans, Rashad Lindsey, Matt Dennis, Terrance Colburn, Ryan Stirewalt, Taylor Hamler, Jamel Jones, L.J. johnson, A.J. Wylie, Devon Haynes, Marvin Bell, Lorne Mathews, Ryan Harding, Anthony Ellis, A.J. Dunn, Desia Wilson, Christin Brown, Erik Harris, Michael Moore, Mario Jefferson, A.J. Dock, J.B. Su’a, Patrick Salinas, Daniel Tomah, Jeremiah Hill, Zak Rashad, Jamaal Goesslig, Kevin Whittington, Dami Webber, Justin Thomas, Jermaine McDonald, Dondre Shapiro, Andrew Plummer, Shawn Butler, Michael Clark, Tyrone Kube, Alex Sobol, Mike Barnas, Garrett Jacques, Victor Williams, Matt Raphael, Austin Plevney, Steven Malone, Robert Carter, Chris Cruz, Dylan Kinter, Isaac Taumoepeau, Tapa Terrance, Kindle

RB WR DB QB CB QB WR WR DB RB DB WR WR DB QB QB WR DB WR WR DB DB RB RB RB DB DB DB RB LB CB DB LB LB LB DB RB PK LB DB DB WR K/P LB TE LB LB SS SS LB P LB LB P DL FB TE TE DL

5-11 6-4 6-0 6-0 5-11 6-3 6-0 6-1 6-1 5-7 5-10 5-9 6-0 5-11 6-3 6-1 6-2 5-11 6-0 5-9 6-2 5-10 5-11 6-0 5-11 5-9 5-10 5-11 5-11 5-11 6-0 5-10 6-2 5-11 6-0 6-2 5-11 6-0 6-1 5-9 5-11 5-8 6-1 6-0 6-3 5-11 6-0 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-2 5-11 6-1 6-3 6-3

220 210 205 210 200 190 190 215 205 185 180 180 200 180 220 190 205 170 180 170 205 205 220 220 180 190 180 185 200 180 190 170 215 205 215 200 205 195 235 180 180 160 185 200 240 212 198 205 224 221 190 225 205 215 230 225 240 220 220

Sr. Sr. Sr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Jr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Fr. So. Fr. So. Fr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr.

48 48 49 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 55 56 57 57 58 59 60 61 63 64 65 66 69 70 72 74 75 77 78 79 82 84 85 86 87 87 88 88 89 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 98 99

Manquero, Frank Camp, Reynard Pascoe, Vince Brown, Travis Banks, Cornell Hunt, Matt Pacheco, Richard Knox, Kyle Jacobs, Ben Cooper, Leslie Herron, Nico Bramer, Lars McCree, Sonny Spacht, Douglas Shepard, Bobby Nduke, Ibe Wiggins, Kenny Robbins, Charley Halopoff, David Dionsopoulos, Aki McEntee, Chase Motta, Nikko jackson, Andrew Harris, Bryce Wentoworth, Austin Bernardi, Joe Richter, Trevor Harrell, Logan Helepiko, Richard Cunningham, Devan Stallworth, J.J. Skidmore, Ryan Bouchma, Ryan Newborn, Darren Stewart, Taylor De Los Santos, Mathew Okpalougo, Tristan Gory, David Jensen, Marcel Williams, Anthony Borg, Kenny Lewis, Chris Pritchett, Donavaughn Akers, Matt Ramos, Wilson Lechter, Ben Jennings, Andy Harrison, Nat Roberts, Mark

SS FB FB LB DL OL OL LB LB OL LB OL LB C LS LB OT OG LB DL DL OL OT DT OL C OT DT OL OT WR TE DL WR WR WR DL TE DL DL DL DE DL DE DE DL DL DT DT

6-1 5-11 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-1 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-5 6-0 6-3 6-1 6-0 6-7 6-2 5-11 5-11 6-2 6-3 6-5 6-6 6-5 6-2 6-5 6-2 6-2 6-6 5-11 6-5 6-4 5-11 6-0 5-11 6-5 6-4 6-6 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-5 6-2 6-4 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-2

205 270 250 235 300 315 285 215 225 305 240 260 230 285 235 220 310 300 210 260 265 275 295 295 305 280 300 275 290 350 185 240 235 185 185 180 220 235 265 300 245 260 290 225 270 240 250 215 300

Sr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Sr. So. Jr. So. Jr. Fr. Jr. Fr. So. Fr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Fo. So. Fr. Jr. So. Fr. Jr. Fr. So. Fr. Jr. So. So. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Jr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr.

01 Toon, Nick WR 02 Valai, Jay DB 03 Jefferson, Kyle WR 05 Lukasko, Andrew DB 05 Budmayr, Jon QB 06 Anderson, Isaac WR 07 Henry, Aaron DB 08 Pleasant, Aubrey DB 08 Appleton, Kraig WR 09 Sorensen, Blake LB 10 Phillips, Curt QB 10 Smith, Devin DB 11 Gilbert, David DL 12 Tice, Nate QB 12 Southward, Dezmen DB 13 Abbrederis, Jared WR 13 O’Neill, Conor LB 14 Cromartie, Marcus DB 15 St. Jean, Culmer LB 15 Duckworth, Jeff WR 16 Tolzien, Scott QB 16 Offor, Chukwuma DB 17 Preisler, Mike RB 17 Peprah, Josh DB 18 Sherer, Dustin QB 18 Welch, Philip K 19 Hartmann, William DB 20 Williams, T.J. WR 21 Maragos, Chris DB 22 Hampton, Adam DB 22 Smith, Erik RB 22 Feaster, Darius DB 23 Moore, Maurice WR 23 Ponio, Jerry DB 24 Johnson, Shelton DB 25 Carter, Shane DB 26 Fenelus, Antonio DB 27 Emanuel, Nate WR 27 Zuleger, Kyle DB 28 Ring-Noonan, Coddye DB 28 Ball, Montee RB 29 Brinkley, Niles DB 30 Brown, Zach RB 31 Moody, Prince DB 32 Clay, John RB 32 Kossoris, Eric WR 34 Ewing, Bradie RB 36 Turner, Mickey TE 36 Armstrong, Ethan LB 37 Claxton, Kevin DB 38 Holland, Tyler DB 39 Fenton, A.J. LB 41 Rouse, Kevin LB 42 Prather, Erik LB 42 Spitz, Sam FB 43 Hubbard, Leonard LB 44 Borland, Chris LB 45 Moore, Dan DL 46 Kennedy, Sean DB

6-3 5-9 6-4 5-10 6-0 5-10 6-0 5-11 6-3 6-1 6-3 5-11 6-4 6-5 6-1 6-2 6-0 6-1 6-0 6-0 6-3 6-0 6-0 5-11 6-3 6-3 5-11 6-0 6-0 5-11 6-0 5-11 5-10 6-1 6-0 6-1 5-9 6-0 5-11 5-10 5-11 5-10 5-10 5-10 6-1 6-1 6-0 6-3 6-2 6-1 5-11 6-1 6-0 6-3 6-0 6-0 5-11 6-2 6-2

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212 201 184 182 199 177 195 203 202 231 228 188 234 230 210 175 200 190 233 200 205 179 194 205 220 200 200 183 198 185 198 190 180 197 183 203 185 195 179 195 225 188 210 198 248 191 231 250 240 218 194 219 232 230 245 231 235 283 181

Jr./So. Sr./Jr. Jr./Jr. Jr./So. Fr./Fr. Sr./Jr. Jr./So. 5th/Sr. Fr./Fr. Jr./Jr. So./Fr. So./So. Fr./Fr. Jr./So. Fr./Fr. Fr./Fr. Fr./Fr. So./Fr. Sr./Jr. Fr./Fr. Sr./Jr. jr./So. Jr./So. Fr./Fr. 5th/Sr. Jr./So. 5th/Sr. So./Fr. 5th/Sr. Jr./So. So./Fr. Fr./Fr. Sr./Jr. Fr./Fr. So./Fr. 5th/Sr. So./So. Sr./Jr. Fr./Fr. So./Fr. Fr./Fr. Sr./Jr. Jr./Jr. 5th/Sr. Jr./So. Jr./So. So./So. Sr./Sr. Fr./Fr. So./So. Sr./Sr. Fr./Fr. Jr./So. 5th/Sr. So./Fr. So./Fr. Fr./Fr. Sr./Sr. Fr./Fr.

46 Davison, Zach 47 McFadden, Jaevery 48 Pederson, Jacob 49 Wozniak, Brian 50 Schofield, O’Brian 51 Dippel, Tyler 52 Hill, Nick 53 Taylor, Mike 54 Heckner, Clinton 55 Briedis, Eriks 56 Groff, Matthew 57 Woodward, Drew 58 Wagner, Ricky 59 Megna, Tony 60 Current, Jake 61 Edmiston, Sam 62 Wojta, Kyle 63 Dehn, Casey 64 Hein, Jordan 64 Burge, Robert 65 Schafer, Joe 66 Konz, Peter 67 Oglesby, Josh 68 Carimi, Gabe 69 Dietzen, Alex 70 Zeitler, Kevin 72 Frederick, Travis 73 Bergmann, Jordan 74 Moffit, John 75 Hemer, Ethan 75 Matthias, Zac 76 Nagy, Bill 77 Cascone, Dan 78 Bscherer, Jake 79 Stehle, Jeff 79 Groy, Ryan 81 Korslin, Rob 82 Byrne, Jake 84 Kendricks, Lance 85 Gilreath, David 86 Theus, Elijah (T.J.) 87 Kirtley, Richard 89 Graham, Garrett 89 Harris Shelby 90 Wickesberg, Ryan 90 Mains, Anthony 91 Kohout, Jordan 92 Muldoon, Pat 93 Nzegwu, Louis 94 Westphal, Tyler 94 Reierson, Jeremy 95 Butrym, Patrick 96 Brunner, Michael 96 Lerner, Alec 97 Kelly Brendan 98 Nortman, Brad 99 Watt, J.J

TE LB TE TE DL DL LB LB OL DL LB LS OL LB OL OL LS OL DL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL DL OL OL DL OL DL OL TE TE TE WR WR WR TE DL P DL DL DL DL DL TE DL TE K DL P DL

6-4 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-4 6-6 6-0 6-3 6-7 6-2 6-6 6-3 6-7 6-4 6-5 6-7 6-7 6-8 6-4 6-4 6-5 6-5 6-6 6-5 6-3 6-3 6-7 6-6 6-5 6-4 6-4 6-4 5-11 6-0 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-1 6-6 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-6 6-6 6-4 6-5 5-7 6-6 6-3 6-6

244 230 224 242 248 254 217 221 275 290 234 212 313 202 304 266 231 298 286 308 305 315 330 325 305 317 336 322 320 274 316 310 301 310 310 310 260 260 236 170 195 196 250 246 215 223 285 240 245 252 238 291 256 172 240 209 287

So./Fr. 5th/Sr. Fr./Fr. Fr./Fr. 5th/Sr. Fr./Fr. Fr./Fr. So./Fr. Fr./Fr. So./Fr. So./Fr. 5th/Sr. So./Fr. Jr./So. So./So. Fr./Fr. Jr./So. Fr./Fr. 5th/Sr. So./Fr. So./Fr. So./Fr. Jr./So. Sr./Jr. Fr./Fr. So./So. Fr./Fr. So./Fr. Sr./Jr. Fr./Fr. Fr./Fr. Sr./Jr. 5th/Sr. Sr./Jr. 5th/Sr. Fr./Fr. Jr./So. So./So. Sr./Jr. Jr./Jr. 5th/Sr. 5th/Sr. 5th/Sr. Fr./Fr. Jr./So. So./Fr. Fr./Fr. Fr./Fr. Jr./So. So./Fr. So./Fr. Jr./So. Fr./Fr. Fr./Fr. So./Fr. So./So. Jr./So.

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Wisconsin vs. Fresno State

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Fresno State ground attack, special teams should worry Badgers WISCONSIN OFFENSE VS. FRESNO STATE DEFENSE

week.

If there’s one thing we learned in week one, it’s that the two-quarterback system does have potential for the Badgers. Tolzien’s ability to throw and Phillips’ contrasting run style should cause problems for Fresno State’s defense.

The pass should continue to be effective as opponents overcompensate for Wisconsin’s running game. And if the Bulldogs try to shut down the pass, Wisconsin’s running backs could have the big game everyone expected last

Fresno State’s defense struggled against the run last year, giving up 210 yards a game, which was good enough for 108th in the nation. They do return nine starters from last year’s squad but are still untested this year. Considering how well the Badgers looked last week without much help from the running game—junior Zach Brown averaged 3.6 yards per carry and sophomore John Clay only averaged 2.9 —the slight advantage goes to Wisconsin.

Advantage: Wisconsin SPECIAL TEAMS The Badgers’ special teams had a sluggish start to the season last Saturday. Sophomore kicker Phillip Welch, a 2008 Lou Groza award semifinalist and 2009 preseason first-team All-Big Ten selection, missed from 55 and 41 yards. Mistakes like that can be overlooked against a team like Northern Illinois but not against a more talented team like Fresno State. Another sophomore, punter Brad Norton, had two kicks to pin the Huskies inside the 20 but wasn’t called on to make high-pressure kicks like he might against the Bulldogs. In the return game, junior David Gilreath averaged just over 20 yards per return in the opener and did show some of the flash he had as a freshman. It could be only a matter of time before he takes one to the house.

Fresno State, although their special teams did struggle some last season, have a squad that makes other teams jealous. Since 2002 they lead all of college football with 45 blocked punts, and since coach Pat Hill took over in 1997 they’ve blocked an astounding 80 kicks.

Senior kicker Kevin Goessling didn’t attempt a field goal in the Bulldog’s opener. He hit a school-record 58-yard kick last year to beat Utah State and could be on the Lou Groza watch list along side Phillip Welch this year. The dangerous senior returner A.J. Jefferson leads all NCAA players with three career touchdown returns. Fresno State takes the advantage here, but to the Badgers’ credit, not many teams can keep up with the Bulldogs’ special teams.

Advantage: Fresno State

WISCONSIN DEFENSE VS. FRESNO STATE OFFENSE The Bulldogs, like the Badgers, have a new quarterback this year. Junior Ryan Colburn got the start but only threw the ball nine times. In fact, Fresno State used all three of their quarterbacks in the opener and only passed 13 times against UC-Davis, instead choosing to unleash a heavy load of running. Running backs Anthony Harding, Lonyae Miller and Ryan Matthews ran for 2,240 yards and 19 touchdowns combined last season and the Bulldogs racked up 317 rushing yards last week. Wisconsin’s defense should expect to see a lot of runs.

For three quarters the Badgers defense dominated Northern Illinois. Seniors Chris Maragos and O’Brien Schofield were all over the field. Maragos had nine tackles, including two for loss and his first career sack, while Schofield added 0.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss. Defensive coordinator Dave Doeren likes to mix up his personal and show some different looks to the offense. If the defense can finish games, this could be the best defense Wisconsin has seen since Bielema’s 12-1 year. Advantage goes to the Badgers.

Advantage: Wisconsin COACHING Coach Bret Bielema enters week two of the 2009 season and he’s doing exactly what a coach in the hot seat needs to do: make changes. The sold-out Camp Randall crowd was pleasantly surprised when the Badgers’ first play was a deep pass to junior receiver Isaac Anderson. It isn’t definitive yet if the two quarterback system will work and whether the passing game can open up the Badgers’ running attack, but Wisconsin fans need to be satisfied with Bielema’s early attempts to remedy theproblems of 2008. He’s still young and that 12-1 season definitely put his year-to-year expectations way too high.

Fresno State’s head coach Pat Hill may be one of the most underrated coaches in college football. He’s led the Bulldogs to a 93-61 record since 1997, including bowl appearances in nine of those 12 years. In conference, Hill boasts a 67-28 record and since 2000 he has 14 wins against BCS teams, which is good enough for second among non-BCS teams. The national exposure he’s given Fresno State is unprecedented. In 2001 he won a record 11 games with the Bulldogs and brought the school a top-10 ranking. Two great coaches will take the sidelines in Camp Randall and, like the game, this is an even match up.

Advantage: Tossup —Compiled by Nick Schmitt

The Big Ten has work to do to impress national audience JAMES ADAMS adams family fun

U

ntil the Big Ten season begins on the fourth Saturday in September, I will swallow my pride and root for Wisconsin’s despised in-conference opponents. Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio State... you name them, and I will be rooting for them. After all, the more impressive the Big Ten conference looks on a national scale, the better Wisconsin looks in the rankings and to potential recruits.

With this philosophy in mind, I should be pretty satisfied with the Big Ten’s 10-1 record on college football’s opening weekend, right? Wrong.

Suppose Northern Illinois, a Mid-American Conference member, had completed their two-point conversion attempt with 8:29 remaining in the fourth quarter and then scored with a minute remaining following their onside kick recovery. Wisconsin would be 0-1.

It took Iowa two blocked field goals with under a minute remaining to fend off an upset from Football Championship Subdivision (formerly known as division 1-AA) and Missouri Valley Conference member Northern Iowa.

No. 6 ranked Ohio State, the Big Ten’s best chance for a national title, was just barely able to stave off Navy by intercepting a potential gametying two-point conversion attempt with just over two minutes remaining.

Meanwhile, “Juice” Williams began his senior campaign with Illinois with an embarrassing 37-9 home loss to unranked Missouri.

Both the AP and the USA Today Coaches Poll feature only two Big Ten teams in the top 25: Ohio State and Penn State. Even if Wisconsin wins out

during the remainder of their pre-Big Ten schedule, don’t look for them to crack the top 25 anytime soon.

The Badgers’ 2009 out-of-conference schedule, like many previous years, will not feature a fellow BCS opponent. Essentially, by playing these teams, Wisconsin has nothing to gain and everything to lose. A loss to a mediocre, mid-major opponent will put a blemish on Wisconsin’s record from which it will be impossible to rebound.

Since 2006, Wisconsin’s game with Washington State in 2007 has been their only out-of-conference game against a BCS opponent.

The Badgers’ and the rest of the Big Ten cannot hope to join the likes of the SEC and the BIG 12 as the

nation’s premier conferences unless they radically improve their play against mediocre teams and begin to challenge themselves with stronger out-of-conference schedules.

Ohio State has a chance to perform damage control this weekend as they welcome No. 3 USC to Columbus on Saturday night. Michigan will play host to No. 18 Notre Dame on Saturday in what will be another opportunity for the Big Ten to restore some credibility to the conference.

It was only the first week of play for the Badgers and the rest of the Big Ten, so some rust must be expected.

Had Ohio State, Iowa and Wisconsin been upset on Saturday, the picture would be far grimmer for the Big Ten Conference this week. Luckily that did

not happen and those three teams will look to tighten up their game plans and execute on a much higher level this weekend.

The Badgers’ strength of schedule is likely to improve in the coming seasons as they will play Arizona State in 2010 and 2012 and Oregon

State in 2011 and 2013. As for now, Wisconsin needs to focus on handling Fresno State this weekend. That should not be a problem, so long as the Badgers are able to bring their defensive intensity into the fourth quarter, something they did not do against NIU.

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The last time they played...

After a 2-0 start in 2008 and a lofty No. 10 national ranking, the Badgers traveled west to the valley to take on No. 21 Fresno State in a dangerous non-conference game. The Badgers opened the scoring late in the first quarter with a touchdown reception by Garrett Graham from quarterback Allan Evridge. Kicker Philip Welch would tack on a field goal to give the Badgers a 10-0 halftime lead.

LORENZO ZEMELLA/CARDINAL FILE PHOTO

The Bulldogs cut the lead to 13-7 late in the third quarter when an apparent Fresno State fumble deep in Bulldog territory was surprisingly overturned, a call Badger fans will never forget. Luckily the missed call did not cost Wisconsin the game, as the Badgers held on for a 13-10 win. Bulldog kicker Kevin Goessling would go down as the goat after missing three of four ďŹ eld goal attempts, including a missed 35-yard fourth quarter try that would have tied the game at 13.

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Wisconsin vs. Fresno State

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SATURDAY’S BIG GAMES (18) Notre Dame vs.

Michigan 2:30 p.m.

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NATIONAL OUTLOOK

Ohio State-USC clash headlines week two BCS Busters

South Carolina vs. (21) Georgia 6 p.m.

(3) USC vs. (8) Ohio State 7 p.m.

WEEK TWO POLLS AP TOP 25 1. Florida (56) 1,493 2. Texas (2) 1,424 3. USC 1,355 4. Alabama (2) 1,331 5. Oklahoma State 1,201 6. Mississippi 1,095 7. Penn State 1,082 8. Ohio State 985 9. Brigham Young 984 10. California 971 11. LSU 890 12. Boise State 882 13. Oklahoma 782 14. Virginia Tech 652 15. Georgia Tech 630 16. TCU 523 17. Utah 404 18. Notre Dame 383 19. North Carolina 338 20. Miami (FL) 315 21. Georgia 294 22. Nebraska 266 23. Cincinnati 248 24. Kansas 196 25. Missouri 126 Others Receiving Votes: Oregon State 113, Michigan State 83, Pittsburgh 82, Texas Tech 53, Oregon 47, Clemson 40, Florida State 39, West Virginia 32, Tennessee 30, Iowa 24, Michigan 18, UCLA 18, Baylor 17, Boston College 14, Arizona 12, East Carolina 6, Air Force 4, Auburn 4, Colorado State 4, Arkansas 3, South Carolina 3, South Florida 1, Southern Miss 1, Tulsa 1, Houston 1

USA TODAY/COACHES 1. Florida (56) 1,472 2. Texas (2) 1,407 3. USC (1) 1,352 4. Alabama 1,299 5. Penn State 1,145 6. Oklahoma State 1,114 7. Ohio State 1,106 8. Mississippi 1,006 9. LSU 977 10. California 935 11. Boise State 803 12. Brigham Young 755 13. Georgia Tech 685 14. Oklahoma 682 15. Virginia Tech 633 16. TCU 543 17. Utah 503 18. Nebraska 360 19. North Carolina 358 20. Notre Dame 335 21. Georgia 304 22. Miami (FL) 276 23. Cincinnati 187 24. Oregon State 169 25. Kansas 139 Others Receiving Votes: chigan State 133, Missouri 97, Iowa 70, Florida State 62, Texas Tech 53, Oregon 50, Pittsburgh 26, Clemson 24, South Carolina 23, Tennessee 21, WESTVIRGINIA 13, Auburn 13, South Florida 12, Kentucky 8, Arizona 5, Michigan 4, Northwestern 4, Boston College 3, Arkansas 2, Baylor 2, UCLA 2, Tulsa 1, Colorado State 1, Minnesota 1

ISABEL ALVAREZ/CARDINAL FILE PHOTO

Terrelle Pryor and the Buckeyes will look to upset No. 3 ranked USC Saturday night in Columbus. Ohio State barely escaped Navy last weekend 31-27.

By Parker Gabriel

Sooner Struggle

GAMEDAY

The Ohio State -USC matchup, Oklahoma’s week one implosion, and BCS busters are on everyone’s mind heading into week two.

Showdown in Columbus In the premier matchup of the weekend, the No. 3 ranked Trojans of USC will march into the Horseshoe in Columbus, OH to take on the No. 8 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes.

This clash will feature the top-ranked quarterback from each of the last two national recruiting classes, with sophomore Terrelle Pryor behind center for the Buckeyes and true freshman Matt Barkley calling the shots for USC. The two are opposites in style, as Pryor has flashed elite speed and a big arm, despite inconsistent mechanics.

Barkley, on the other hand, is a true pocket passer who made all the right reads in his collegiate debut, but did not push the ball down the field. That will have to change in order to keep the Buckeyes from loading up the box against USC’s stable of running backs.

The Trojans boast six capable backs, led by junior Joe McKnight, who rushed for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 14 carries last week.

The Buckeyes’ athleticism on both sides of the ball ranks at or very near the top of the Big Ten, but that was also the case last year when they went to the Coliseum in Los Angeles and got rolled 35-3.

Needless to say, Ohio State will have to improve on their 31-27 escape-job against Navy last weekend if they want to hang with the Trojans.

Last year, Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford ascended into rarified air in the college football world by winning the Heisman trophy as a sophomore.

Next year, many experts have him pegged as the favorite to be the top overall pick in the NFL Draft. It is the current year, however, that is causing Bradford problems.

Bradford was knocked out of last week’s game with a shoulder injury and the previously thirdranked Oklahoma Sooners were beat 14-13 by #9 BYU. He has since been diagnosed with

a sprain of the AC joint in his right shoulder. While it will not require surgery, Bradford is expected to miss 2-4 weeks. That time frame will make plenty of people in Norman nervous, as the Sooners have upcoming dates with Miami (Oct. 3 in Miami) and No. 2 Texas (Oct. 17 at the Cotton Bowl).

With a mark already in the loss column, Oklahoma can illafford another loss if they want to contend for a national title. The Sooners will also be without star tight end Jermaine Gresham for the remainder of the season, as he recently underwent surgery to repair cartilage in his right knee.

By beating then No. 19 Oregon at home last Thursday, No. 12 ranked Boise State cleared the highest hurdle on its schedule, prompting many to speculate that the Broncos will again compile a perfect record and again “bust” into one of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) Bowls in January.

Add the Cougars of BYU to that list as well. Senior quarterback Max Hall threw for 328 yards and two touchdowns en route to a 14-13 upset over then No. 3 Oklahoma on Saturday.

With the win, BYU shot from No. 20 to No. 9 in the AP poll. While the Cougars have a tougher schedule than Boise State the rest of the way, (they host Florida State, No. 17 TCU, and No. 16 Utah) they too are knocking at the door of the BCS. In fact, should BYU run the table, they would have built a very strong case for a berth in the National Title game.

Undefeated runs from both Boise State and BYU would be a nightmare for the BCS committee, and would provide more ammo for those who support a playoff system in college football.

Neither the Western Athletic Conference (home to Boise State) nor the Mountain West Conference (BYU) are designated as BSC conferences, and therefore there is no guarantee that a team from those conferences will be invited to a BCS game. The so-called power conferences, such as the Big Ten, Big 12, Pac 10, and SEC, each have one automatic bid into one of the high-revenue, primetime bowls.

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Wisconsin vs. Fresno State

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12345 things to watch

ISABEL ALVAREZ/CARDINAL FILE PHOTO

compiled by Mark Bennett

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BULLDOGS RUN LOOSE Fresno State may have a new quarterback at the helm, but the Bulldogs return their top four rushers from last season. This certainly showed in their 51-0 win last week against UC-Davis, as Fresno State rushed for 310 yards, on 52 carries, for 5 touchdowns.

The ball went air-born just 13 times. Ryan Mathews, Lonyae Miller, and freshman Robbie Rouse all shared time carrying the ball for Fresno State, combining for 227 yards in 29 carries, 7.8 yards per carry. Last week, the Wisconsin defense allowed NIU just 100 yards (2.9 per carry) on the ground.

However, they will certainly have their hands full against Fresno State this Saturday as they attempt to slow down the Bulldog’s daunting ground attack.

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Sports Editors Photo Editors

Fall 2009, Issue 2 2142 Vilas Communication Hall 821 University Avenue Madison, Wis., 53706-1497

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Business Manager Alex Custers Advertising Manager Katie Brown Billing Manager Mindy Cummings Accounts Receivable Manager Cole Wenzel Account Executives Jake Brewer, Ana Devcic, Mara Greenwald, Hilary Kirking, Michael Kruyswyk, Kristen Lindsay. D.J. Nogalski, Jordan Rossman, Sarah Schupanitz Web Directors

Eric Harris, Dan Hawk

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RECENT MEMORIES It was only a year ago when the Badgers marched into Fresno State facing their first real test of the 2008 season. The 10th ranked Badgers edged out the 21st ranked Bulldogs by only a field goal, surviving a 13-10 win.

In fact, Fresno State could have very easily come away with the win, missing three field goals in the game. The Bulldogs return 18 starters from a season ago, so last year’s game is certainly still etched into the minds of players.

Wisconsin, on the other hand has a new quarterback (or two), and PJ Hill is no longer the main back. The receiving core also has changed for the Badgers, and so Fresno State will, in fact, be matching up against a much different (or at least changed) Wisconsin team this season.

Saturday will definitely be a highly charged and emotional contest with the memories of last season’s game still fresh.

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QUARTERBACK CAROUSEL Heading into the season opener, Bret Bielema made it clear that both Scott Tolzien and Curt Phillips would see playing time against NIU. The question was, how much? Bielema made it pretty apparent however who his number one quarterback is. Tolzien played in all but two of Wisconsin’s series, completing 15 of 20 passes for 257 yards, the most ever by a Wisconsin quarterback making his first start. His 80 yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage certainly made a huge impression from the beginning. He also threw two interceptions, one that was, debatably, not his fault, and the other coming at a pivotal point in the game, allowing the Huskies to sneak back into the contest. Curt Phillips, too, was solid.

However, it’s hard to make much of a judgment when he directed just 16 plays, gaining 24 yards through the air, and 34 on the ground. Both quarterbacks will see playing time this week against Fresno State, but look for Bielema to keep the brunt of work on the shoulders of Tolzien.

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FOUR QUARTERS The Badger defense apparently was under the impression this past week that there were only 3 quarters in football. There are, in fact, five quarters in a Wisconsin game, four of which are spent playing football. NIU spent the final 12 minutes of last week’s contest ripping apart the Wisconsin defense, racking up almost half their total yardage during that time. The Huskies scored two touchdowns, a two point conversion, and recovered an onside kick, setting up a potentially game winning drive that was finally stopped by the excellent play of Chris Maragos.

This week, the Badgers better come ready to play against a tough, aggressive Fresno State team that will certainly stay fresh through all four quarters, especially with their depth in the running game.

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All copy, photographs and graphics

5 H1N1 The illness is running rampant across campus faster than Ron Dayne in a Rose Bowl. Now, it seems it might have latched onto the football team as well. Although it may not be the H1N1 virus itself, there are certainly a number of Wisconsin players falling sick. Many members of the team have come down with flu like symptoms, and practice has been lighter this week in wake of the illnesses. UW officials have been preparing for this possibility for a number of weeks now, and they are attempting to control the spread by isolating sick players. Bret Bielema certainly isn’t using it as an excuse though, and he expects every player to perform this week in practice, and that the team will be fully prepared to face Fresno State on Saturday.

appearing in The Daily Cardinal are the sole property of the Cardinal and may not be reproduced without specific written permission of the editor in chief.

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Wisconsin vs. Fresno State

gameday

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ON FIRE NOTRE DAME After concluding the 2008 season in style by ending their nine-game bowl losing streak in the Hawaii Bowl, the Fighting Irish began the 2009 season ranked No. 23 in the AP poll. Following a convincing 35-0 win over Nevada in week one, Notre Dame jumped to No. 18 in the same poll. Junior quarterback Jimmy Clausen threw for 315 yards and four touchdowns in the triumph over Nevada and has now crept into the Heisman watch. The Fighting Irish will travel to Ann Arbor this weekend to take on unranked Michigan with hopes of continuing to climb in the rankings.

PURDUE RB RALPH BOLDEN In the Boilermakers’ season opener versus Toledo, Bolden ran for 234 yards on 21 carries, averaging 11.1 yards per carr y. The 5 foot 9 inch Bolden leads the nation in rushing yards after the first week and will look to continue his dominance Saturday night against Oregon.

MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE The non-BCS conference impressed critics nationwide with several impressive wins during the first week of play. Highlighted by BYU’s upset of No. 3 ranked Oklahoma, the MWC also gained recognition with Colorado State’s 23-17 victor y over Big 12 rival Colorado, and Air Force’s 72-0 pummeling of Nicholls State. This week’s AP Top 25 features MWC members Utah at No. 16, TCU at No. 16, and BYU at No. 9.

ICE COLD ILLINOIS With Isiah “Juice” Williams entering his senior season with the Fighting Illini, expectations were high for the team who played in the Rose Bowl just two seasons ago. Those expectations have been significantly reduced following Missouri’s 37-9 trouncing of Illinois on opening weekend.

OREGON RB LEGARRETTE BLOUNT The Ducks’ running back was suspended for the remainder of the season by the team after punching Boise State’s Byron Hout in the face and being restrained by on-field security following Oregon’s 19-8 loss to the Broncos. Blount rushed for -5 yards against Boise State on eight carries. The senior running back had been a preseason Heisman Trophy hopeful.

OKLAHOMA After beginning the season as the No. 3 ranked team in the nation, the Sooners were upset at home by BYU 14-13. To make matters worse, Oklahoma senior quarter back Sam Bradford, last year’s Heisman Trophy winner, was knocked out of the game in the second quarter with a shoulder sprain. Bradford will be out two to four weeks, but when he returns he will not have senior tight end Jermaine Gresham to throw to. Gresham, who accumulated 950 receiving yards and caught 15 touchdowns last season, will miss the remainder of the season after having knee surger y on Tuesday.

ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE Following week one, the ACC sports a 4-6 out of conference record, which includes two embarrassing losses to Football Championship Subdivision (1-AA) teams. Virginia fell, at home, to William and Mar y 26-14 while Duke, also at home, was defeated by Richmond 24-16.

—James Adams

KYLE BURSAW/CARDINAL FILE PHOTO

Isiah “Juice” Williams and Illinois will have to work their way out of the Big Ten’s basement in 2009 after being the only conference team to lose in week one.

opinion Obama’s speech beneficial for students dailycardinal.com/opinion

JAMIE STARK opinion columnist he hubbub surrounding President Obama’s Sept. 8 speech to America’s school kids has been ridiculously overblown to say the least.

The president of the United States is allowed to encourage students to work hard and stay in school. In fact, it’s part of her or his duty to advocate for the success of our country and our people.

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Before Obama uttered a word of the speech, before the text was released, reactionary parents across the country were beating their chests.

Before Obama uttered a word of the speech, before the text was released, reactionary parents across the country were beating their chests, claiming Obama’s speech was a sneaky attempt to indoctrinate America’s next generation with Obama’s insufferable socialism.

Several parents of students at my mother’s elementary school in Green Bay threatened to keep their children home if the speech were shown in class. The prin-

Thursday, September 10, 2009

cipal decided to not allow any teacher to show the speech until parents gave their approval.

As Education Secretary Arne Duncan said, whether or not the speech was watched was up to school districts. As with many educational decisions in this country, local school leaders make the call.

The accompanying questions designed to help students analyze and to consider the president’s message were designed and written by teachers, not President Obama and his administration.

Even conservative bastion Newt Gingrich commended the president’s address to students. “It’s a good speech,” Gingrich said. “I recommend it to everybody if you have any doubts. I would love to have every child in America read it, think about it, and learn that they should stay in school and they should study.”

Former First Lady Laura Bush approved of President Obama’s speech as well, saying, “There is a place for the president of the United States to talk to school children. It’s really important for everyone to respect the president of the United States.”

Republican Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush both gave similar addresses to the nation’s school children during their presidencies. Reagan’s speech truly did have political undertones, referring to taxes as “such a penalty on people that there’s no

incentive for them to prosper ... because they have to give so much to the government.”

Obama’s speech was quite capitalist, despite fringe-right fears that the president is a Manchurian candidate sent from a pinko-commie sleeper cell in Kenya.

“Where you are right now doesn’t have to determine where you’ll end up,” Obama told students during the speech. “No one’s written your destiny for you. Here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future.”

Obama cares about American schools succeeding because he cares about American kids succeeding.

The president challenged American students to work hard and stand out among the crowd in order to succeed—a far cry from socialist propaganda.

Reminding kids across the country that even the president cares whether or not they stay in school and apply themselves is a meaningful message. It’s a message that education matters along with every individual.

The president engaged in this dialogue despite being embattled with the health care debate, one

of the most difficult fights of his brief tenure to date.

Obama cares about American schools succeeding because he cares about American kids succeeding. He was once an American kid, despite what the birthers would tell you, and he has two American kids of his own. Obama carries a shared sense of responsibility with all parents in this country. As president, he must work to ensure our nation’s growth and success. He knows what matters most as we work toward a brighter future in America: brighter children. And he wanted to remind, possibly inform children that they are the future of our country.

If his speech was sub par for any reason, it’s because it was not toned down enough for young children. The address aired for kids from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Sending a relatable message to such a wide age group is a difficult task.

Perhaps speaking above a kindergarten comprehension level is the speech’s greatest success. Not babying it up helped the message reach another important audience: parents. The situation is reminiscent of a children’s sermon during church. When the pastor brings the kids to the front of church and talks to them in a way they can understand, the entire congregation is still listening, receiving the message.

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Obama’s message on Tuesday was a message every American should hear, young and old; a message that education is vital to a successful life and a strong country; a message that success takes hard work and dedication.

Perhaps adults and children alike should hear the president’s words from his speech: “I expect you to get serious this year. I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do. I expect great things from each of you. So don’t let us down—don’t let your family or your country or yourself down. Make us all proud. I know you can do it.”

Obama’s message on Tuesday was a message every American should hear, young and old.

Obama’s forceful call for students to work on their education is timeless and patriotic. It’s a new take on an old saying by a former president. Ask not what your education can do for you; ask what you can do for your education.

Jamie Stark is a sophomore intending to major in journalism and political science. We welcome all feedback. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.

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No wonder Timon and Pumba love them so much. Beetles taste like apples, wasps like pine nuts, and worms like fried bacon. dailycardinal.com/comics

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Staying Awake

Today’s Sudoku

Evil Bird

By Caitlin Kirihara kirihara@wisc.edu

Angel Hair Pasta

By Todd Stevens ststevens@wisc.edu

Sid and Phil

By Alex Lewein alex@sidandphil.com

© Puzzles by Pappocom

Solution, tips and computer program available at www.sudoku.com.

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.

Today’s Crossword Puzzle

The Graph Giraffe

Charlie and Boomer

By Yosef Lerner ilerner@wisc.edu

By Natasha Soglin soglin@wisc.edu

Answer key available at www.dailycardinal.com OPEN WIDE

1 5 10 14 15 16 17 20 21 22 23 24 27 28 32 33 35 36 39 40 41 42 44 45 46

ACROSS

Tell it to the judge Amherst school, for short “What ___ important?”

Draws a bead Alcove Like meat past its prime Verbal error Emulate Pavlov’s dog Gives a leg up Kings, in Portugal Cowardly Lion portrayer Hedy who played Delilah Alternative to a PC Connecticut Ivy Leaguers Man who played Chan “Casablanca” cafe Cool ___ cucumber Be especially savory Fifth in NYC, e.g.

Bygone Venetian magistrates “If ___” (Beatles song) Finch’s home His companion Trumpet blasts “But ___, there’s

48 49 52 56 58 59 60 61 62 63 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 18 19 23

more!”

“90210” extra Dental fixative Harem More than ready for battle Army outfit Bird found in Florida “Kinsey” star Neeson “Aloha” accompaniments Derby winner’s wreath Enclosure with a ms.

DOWN

Emulate Brett Favre Reader’s Digest cofounder Wallace Zatopek or Jannings Hopeful one Picket-sign word Cookie sheet graspers Belly trouble “Our boat,” pronominally Bumps in the road Deliberately not notice Doesn’t hold up well, in a way Sooty matter Command for silence, in court (Var.) Went too far with “La-la” lead-in They’re poked in the eyes

24 “Death of a Salesman” protagonist 25 Tylenol alternative 26 Cock and bull, e.g.

27 Clementine’s father, in song 29 Cohort of Roker 30 Fiber for cordage 31 Comedian Mort and kin 33 Man of many synonyms 34 Cast a sunny look toward 37 Diamond gem 38 “City ___” (Nicolas Cage film) 43 “Rockin’ Robin” sounds 45 Guardian Angels’ toppers 47 “Isn’t there more to the story?”

48 Giggly laugh 49 Net lining in a woman’s hat 50 Graceful seabird 51 2002, in old Rome 52 Bering and Taiwan (Abbr.)

53 “Return of the Jedi” princess 54 “Take ___ a compliment!”

55 “Alas!”

57 U.S. satellite of the 6s

You Can Run

By Derek Sandberg kalarooka@gmail.com

arts ‘In the Loop’ meshes comedy and politics dailycardinal.com/arts

By Todd Stevens THE DAILY CARDINAL

War is a complicated thing. It’s tempting to think of war as a topic that deals in moral absolutes, but as recent years have shown, it’s always more complicated than that, sometimes so complicated as to be ridiculous. That is how war is approached in “In the Loop,” a satire from British director Armando Iannuci; by taking a look at the recent misadventures in Iraq and deciding that the best reaction is snarky, sarcastic laughter.

The satire begins with an offhand comment from midlevel British cabinet minister Simon Foster (Tom Hollander), who describes an impending unnamed military conflict in the Middle East as “unforeseeable.”

Despite the fact that it’s hard to tell what that comment even means, he is chastised for being out of step with the government’s official line, and the prime minister’s spin master

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi) is sent in to smooth the situation over, mostly by yelling and screaming at the war’s opponents, the most prominent of whom being peace-loving American Lt. Gen. George Miller (James Gandolfini).

It’s hard to watch “In the Loop” and not compare it to “The Office.”

Considering it is spun off from a BBC comedy series, shot with a hand-held camera and prominently features the everyday workings of pencil pushers, the parallels are obvious. But while “The Office” takes menial tasks and shows how cubicle drones attempt to invest them with some sense of value, “In the Loop” does the opposite.

With the possibility of war looming, the stakes could not be higher, but all these characters focus on are the petty ventures of career advancement and scoring political points. In a way, the White House and Downing Street machinations of “In the Loop” are depicted as much more mundane

and trite than those of a salesman at a paper company.

While this does create opportunity for some prime satire, it also creates some structural problems with the story. The first two thirds of the movie run smoothly, gradually ramping up the pressure as the Brits and Yanks scramble to either halt or advance the looming military conflict, but when “In the Loop” arrives at its bureaucratic climax everything seems to fall flat as the central battle is resolved a tad too easily.

“In the Loop” may not be a satirical masterpiece, but it’s definitely a welcome addition to the political comedy subgenre.

It is one thing to portray the

PHOTO COURTESY IFC FILMS

Peter Capaldi and James Gandolfini share one of the many hilarious arguments in “In the Loop,” a film shot in the style of “The Office,” which features the same awkward, hand-held camera style.

‘Old School’ a landmark in modern comedy KEVIN SLANE dr. slanelove

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he year 2003 is important for many reasons.

The United States officially invaded Iraq, Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected governor of California, and China officially joined Russia and America by becoming the third country to put a person in space. However, none of these can possibly parallel the event that occurred on February 21, 2003; that was the day the Todd Phillips film “Old School” hit theaters and changed the landscape of comedy for the next decade.

Most of the stars of the film were already established. Ben Stiller had already brought Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson, and Will Ferrell into the comedy world with 2001’s “Zoolander,” but their labeling as “The Frat Pack” had not yet occurred. With the juvenile hijinks of “Old School,” the star power of Ferrell, Vaughn, Luke Wilson, and the rest of the gang had been established. Soon enough, new offshoots of the group formed as Ferrell incorporated not only Wilson, Vaughn, and Stiller in his

film “Anchorman,” but introduced newcomers Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, and Seth Rogen (in a bit role as a camera man).

Soon enough, Carell, Rogen and Rudd were all leading men, each of them starring in films incorporating themes of “bromance” and general immaturity, all to phenomenal success. The most critically-acclaimed and commercially successful comedies of the decade are a laundry list of bromance’s greatest hits. “40-YearOld Virgin,” starring Carell, Rogen and Rudd, “Knocked Up” starring Rogen, Rudd and Jonah Hill, “Superbad,” starring Hill, Michael Cera, Rogen and Bill Hader, and “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” starring Jason Segel, Rudd, Hader, Hill and more.

The influence of both Phillips and super producer Judd Apatow cannot be underestimated.

Every year, a group of stars rises from the minor, yet hilarious roles in bromance movies to become the new leading man. The biggest hit

of the summer, “The Hangover,” stars Bradley Cooper (“Wedding Crashers”), Ed Helms (“The Office”), and Zach Galifanakis (a relative newcomer, but a longtime star of the indie comedy circuit).

None of them had the benefit of the Frat Pack’s sphere of influence, but once again, “Old School” director Todd Phillips worked his magic, making “The Hangover” the highest-grossing R-rated comedy of all time. All three of the stars have already signed on to big-budget projects, and show all indications of being the next big thing in comedy.

The influence of both Phillips and super producer Judd Apatow cannot be underestimated. Apatow and Phillips both worked in film and television long before they hit gold, Apatow toiling on “The Cable Guy” and “Undeclared,” while Phillips directed “Frat House” and “Road Trip.” But with the inauspicious debut of “Old School” in February, a month usually devoid of any worthwhile movies, the landscape of comedy for the next decade (and perhaps beyond) changed forever.

If you want to go streaking with Kevin and everyone else (we’re going through the quad!), E-mail him for all of the important details at kevslane@gmail.com.

characters as oblivious to the ramifications to their actions, but at some point the film becomes oblivious as well—not necessarily to the global situation its fictional players just created, but toward the characters themselves. There is no room for investment in anybody in the movie, so once each person’s ultimate fate is decided it is hard to care.

However, what “In the Loop” lacks in gravitas it makes up for in gloriously vulgar dialogue. Capaldi in particular turns vitriol into an art form, spewing out insults that are so thoroughly obscene and offcolor they are uproarious and at times almost beautiful. In Malcolm Tucker, Capaldi and Iannucci have created a character that is nothing less than a force of nature who is quite likely more dangerous and terrifying than the war he is helping to create, even if he has a rather comical tendency to run around like a harried chicken.

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Other than Capaldi, the performances are solid across the board.

Hollander is gleefully awkward as a bureaucrat working in matters far above his pay grade, as is Gina McKee as his bitingly sarcastic assistant Judy, who is easily ten times more competent than her boss. Gandolfini also proves here that he possesses some great comedic chops after spending years as the brooding sociopathic patriarch on “The Sopranos.”

While the great performances don’t solve the film’s problem with character investment, they do at least make “In the Loop” an enjoyable experience. Coupled with Iannucci’s dry observations on trans-Atlantic governmental affairs, the film becomes not only a good comedy but one with an intriguing thematic heft to it. “In the Loop” may not be a satirical masterpiece, but it’s definitely a welcome addition to the political comedy subgenre.

Grade: B

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Thursday, September 10, 2009

Football

Badgers must count on youthful linebackers

By Ben Breiner THE DAILY CARDINAL

It may seem a quite bold for a player making his first start to call that he will force a turnover on the next play. But when you deliver on that prediction, as freshman linebacker Mike Taylor did on Saturday against Northern Illinois, that is another story.

After a redshirt season in the program, Taylor made a big impact during his first action on the field for the Badgers. He is one of two freshmen in the Badgers’ top six linebackers, the other being his backup, true freshman Chris Borland. “[Borland and Mike Taylor] are guys that bring a lot of energy to our linebacking core,” Jaevery McFadden, the lone senior starting at linebacker, said. “They’re doing a lot of good things for us and I just want them to get better every game and that’s what it looks like they’re trying to do.”

Borland did not register a tackle Saturday but did make several plays on special teams. He saw time as a pass rusher in the team’s third down package and made his presence felt, pressur-

ing the quarterback several times.

It has only been a few months since Borland left his high school in Kettering, Ohio, where he earned allstate honors as a senior, but his ability to make plays got him on the field Saturday. Borland called the whole experience simply exciting.

“[Borland and Mike Taylor] are guys that bring a lot of energy to our linebacking core.”

Jaevery McFadden linebacker UW football

“Playing in front of that many people would be exciting for everyone, especially at 18 years old, where six months ago, I was in high school competition,” Borland said. “But a lot of that goes away because you’ve got to focus on your task; focus on not letting your teammates down.”

Defensive coordinator Dave Doeren had high praise for Borland, pointing out how his strength and

LORENZO ZEMELLA/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Freshman linebacker Mike Taylor started his first career game on the college level against NIU and recorded seven tackles.

power contrasted with Taylor, who is a bit quicker and has a more wiry build.

“Chris Borland’s a guy that’s going to be a very popular player here in time,” Doeren said. “He’s a playmaker, he’s physical, he’s fast, he loves playing the game, he plays hard all the time. He’s just got to learn all the ins and outs of college football.”

Taylor, on the other hand, had no shortage of statistics to back up his impact on the game. He finished with seven tackles, one for a loss, while forcing and recovering that fumble deep in Northern Illinois territory.

It had been a long road to that first start for Taylor. He missed much of last fall with a neck injury that required surgery, but used part of that redshirt year to hone his skills against the starters as a member of the scout team. He also had to fight off a series of nagging injuries throughout spring and fall camp.

“It was awesome, coming back from all those injuries, just overcoming all that. It was really frustrating for me,” Taylor said of his first game.

“To get playing time was just what I was looking for, and to be the starter for the game was just awesome.”

One might think that Taylor would be satisfied with that first game, but the Ashwaubenon, Wis., native took a very critical eye toward his performance.

“I still made a lot of mistakes,” Taylor said. “Film doesn’t lie and I lost some coverages [and] lost some assignments. I think that’s what you really have to focus on; not the plays you make, it’s not making bad plays that is actually what you’re trying to do.”

With the departure of stalwarts DeAndre Levy and Jonathan Casillas, it was guarenteed that the linebacking core would be younger this season. With strong freshmen like Taylor and Borland holding down one of the three spots and only looking to make a bigger impact, it appears the position is in good hands.

Men’s Soccer

ISABEL ALVAREZ/CARDINAL FILE PHOTO

Senior forward Scott Lorenz scored 10 goals his junior season.

In final season, Lorenz hopes for NCAA bid

By Parker Gabriel THE DAILY CARDINAL

When Scott Lorenz dresses before a game, it’s always the same routine. Every piece of equipment for the left side goes on before the right side. The senior forward for the Wisconsin men’s soccer team has developed a nice routine on the field as well by putting the ball in the back of the net on a regular basis.

Lorenz will look to build on a junior season in which he lead the team in scoring with 23 points and was named Second Team All-Big Ten. However, that does not mean that matching and surpassing those numbers will constitute progress in his mind. Lorenz wants to make noise in the postseason.

“Minimum, we want an NCAA Tournament berth,” Lorenz said.

“We haven’t had one since 1995.

Getting Wisconsin back to that powerhouse it was in the early nineties is something we’ve had our focus on since I got here.”

The Badgers quest for an NCAA Tournament bid this year will be guided by first year head coach Todd Yeagley, who noticed that Lorenz was determined to take his team to the next level right away.

“From the moment that we stepped in here, Scott Lorenz has been a key part of us moving forward,” Yeagley said. “He is the catalyst for our attack.”

Lorenz broke out as a junior,

scoring 10 goals. Since then, he has been one of Wisconsin’s most dangerous forwards.

“Scott is a very talented player.

[He] brings great energy not only to our training, but to our team,” Yeagley said. “He is very dangerous, not only on the ball with his technical abilities and his ability to take player on but his willingness to make runs without the ball. He has winning qualities.”

As he closes out his college career this fall, Lorenz will use those winning qualities on and off the field.

After graduation, he may attend graduate school, but there could be more soccer on his horizon.

“If I have a nice season, hopefully [I’ll] get invited to the MLS Combine, that would be a great experience.”

But for now, on the advice of a former team captain, he is just trying to have fun and succeed in his last year in Madison. “[Being a senior] makes you appreciate things a lot more; it makes you want to work that much harder to get results, to keep your team going and get to the postseason.”

Today Scott Lorenz points to back-to-back 1-0 wins over two ranked schools, Cal and Stanford, in 2007 as his fondest memory in Madison. But an NCAA Tournament berth would easily be number one on his list should the Badgers finally return to it this fall.

Considering all parts of his famed career, MJ will be remembered for mystique BEN BREINER boom goes the breinamite

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t ’s not often David Robinson and John Stockton will be referred to as “those other guys” in basketball circles. On Friday, however, that’s what they’ll be.

It is almost unfair because those two brought so much to the game of basketball in terms of grace, skill and, of course, short shorts. But the player they are being compared to is more than just another Hall of Fame player; more than just a legend. That would be Michael Jordan, the greatest player in the history of the sport.

In looking back at all of Jordan’s feats, we need to examine what about his career made him the best.

Was it his unstoppable offensive game, with its power, gravity-defying grace and jump shot that seemed to go in from every angle at the most crucial

moments of the game? That’s part of it, but others could score in almost as many prodigious ways.

Was it his competitive defense that hounded opponents into turnovers, and made him the best shooting guard ever on that end of the floor? Perhaps, but many excellent defenders have not received their due for greatness.

Could it be the laundry list of honors; five MVPs, six titles, nine times on the all-defensive team or 10 years as the NBA’s best scorer? Simply put, that’s not it.

MJ’s greatness stems not from his reality, but from his myth.

Everyone remembers that he was cut from his high school team as a sophomore; few remember him as an All-American. In college he won college player of the year, but most fans recall the fact that only his coach, Dean Smith, held him below 20 points per game.

There was the slight of being taken after Sam Bowie, overcoming Boston and then Detroit and then the ascen-

sion to the first title three-peat since the late 60s.

But then came his heroic struggle, the murder of his father, and the move to baseball.

He returned with the press release simply saying, “I’m back,” bursting into the game midseason with a new number, and lit up the Knicks for 55.

Then the next three-peat, the flu game against the Jazz in 1997 and finally the majestic shot over Byron Russell in 1998. He seemed to have the perfect end to the perfect career.

Only it wasn’t.

He returned once more, and even though it may have marred his greatness, it reminds us how manically competitive and driven the truly great athletes are.

Jordan had a scribe, Spike Lee, who told his myth in a brave new format (Nike commercials). Through those he even became an amateur philosopher with sayings like, “I can accept failure, but I cannot accept not trying” attributed to him. Journalist

and author David Halberstam, one of the best writers in recent memory, even described him as the new definition of American male beauty. Simply, the things he said and moments in his career have become part of the cultural lexicon.

And the myth goes deeper.

Jordan was always working to improve, always aggressive and competing (he didn’t speak to coach Roy Williams for two days after Williams crushed him in pool). This alienated teammates and made him pretty unlikable, but it also drew respect because he was always driving to improve.

There is a redemptive quality in the way his individual game progressed.

When he began his career he tried to take on opponents as an individual, constantly attacking defenses and ignoring coach’s game plans.

As he aged, however, he learned to trust his teammates. Before he won titles, Jordan demanded the last shot (and many other ones too). But later he would sublimate his own skills to

the triangle offense and twice acted as a decoy to give teammates titleclinching shots.

His whole career can be summed up as storybook (which Lee did neatly in a commercial). He constantly overcame new obstacles, seemed to find a new understanding about himself and matured as a person in ways everyone can admire. He became the perfect archetype of a heroic journey.

Does it matter that reality might not share the luster and shine of that story? No, sports are very much about the myth, the image and the ideal of some higher level of glory.

So when the final chapter is written Friday and Jordan takes his place among the best in the sport, it’s this story, with its depth of cultural and allegorical elements that makes him greater than the rest.

Apologies to Mr. Robinson and Mr. Stockton for being overshadowed, but those are the breaks.

Does this column overstate MJ’s greatness? E-mail Ben at breiner@wisc.edu