Senior Day. The Battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe. One of the most storied rivalries in all of college football. The seniors' last game at Camp Randall.
With all the things surrounding Saturday's game, there was the prospect of a storybook ending to a season that saw constant struggle and failure.
The Badgers' 49-31 victory over Minnesota (3-5 Big Ten, 7-5 overall) Saturday allowed for Wisconsin's football team to put those problems in the back of their mind for the time being. Instead of being sent home for the holidays, the Badgers (2-6, 7-6) will find themselves in a bowl game, most likely being Dec. 31 at the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio Texas. However, more importantly, the seniors left Camp Randall as winners.
\I told them that we were playing for a number of things, but the thing that was most important for me was that I wanted to win this one for the seniors,"" Head Coach Barry Alvarez said. ""It is a great group, even though it is a small group.""
For the seniors there was nothing better than being able to regain Paul Bunyan's Axe on their home turf in their last game in Madison. It marked a closing chapter on their careers at Madison, which meant so much to them.
""You couldn't ask for a better way to leave,"" senior defensive lineman Jake Sprague said. ""This place has been such a great atmosphere. I have spent the last five years of my life here and just to be able to get a hold of that axe--it was something that you couldn't even put into words. It was just an awesome feeling. It's just something that you couldn't write a better story for.""
Indeed, it was one senior in particular that was noticeably instrumental in the outcome of Saturday's game. In one of his best all-round games this season, senior quarterback Brooks Bollinger played with the pride and enthusiasm of a champion. Bollinger ended the game rushing for 112 yards while throwing for 134. He also scored touchdowns both rushing and passing.
""You just kinda threw everything out there and said let's win the game and have the chance to extend our season,"" Bollinger said. ""I don't know exactly how to put it into words, but to be able to celebrate a win and run around with the axe was just unbelievable.""
Although under some criticism of late during the Badgers recent struggles, Bollinger's leadership Saturday and in his years at Wisconsin cannot be exaggerated. He did not take a single play off Saturday and through his leadership, UW was able to provide the offensive punch to control Minnesota.
""Brooks is definitely the guy that everybody looks to without a doubt and we wouldn't have it any other way,"" senior offensive lineman Al Johnson said. ""The quarterback is the guy in the huddle, time and time again, calling the plays. He directs the offense and we wouldn't have it any other way. Brooks is probably the best leader that I have ever been around or have even known.""
For the seniors, Saturday was as picture perfect a day as was possible. It marked the culmination of all the long, hard work that they have put in during their careers at Wisconsin. They left the field for the last time at Camp Randall the way champions want to be remembered; as winners.
""It was fun,"" Bollinger said. ""You envision so much how you want it to end, and fortunately today it was pretty much exactly the way I envisioned it.\
