When you think Wisconsin fullbacks, you think Alan Ameche. Or at least you should. But over the past three years senior fullback Matt Bernstein has become an immensely popular player for the Badgers. His enormous frame earns his bruising runs between the tackles in short-yardage situations and the occasional graceful hurdle (think Shaq doing a pirouette; doesn't seem possible, but it's a pleasant surprise).
With the recent loss of Bernstein to injury, the Badgers now have to rely on a tandem of young replacements to fill in the hole he left-and then to open up new holes for junior running back Brian Calhoun. They are sophomore Chris Pressley and red-shirt freshman Bill Rentmeester.
Rentmeester is a relatively quiet, self-contained kid from nearby Beaver Dam, Wis. His counterpart, Pressley-at a glance-is just the opposite. An East Coast import with swagger and an unmistakable air of confidence, Pressley is the more seasoned of the two backs. Both, however, have been equally effective thus far and are focused on improving and showing the coaching staff they will be worthy replacements.
\Chris and I both knew that once [Bernstein] went down, we would have to step it up a little bit and let them know we were ready to play ... that they could trust us to be out there,"" Rentmeester said.
He and Pressley will see plenty of time, but have already gotten off to good starts. You can not talk to either one of them about their positions without the explanation of, not only blocking techniques, but also reads.
""The thing about the fullback position is it's never just the same thing all the time. It's adjusting and seeing things on the run,"" co-offensive coordinator Paul Chryst said.
""Sometimes you have to get different guys flying around and sometimes you really just want to go blast somebody,"" Pressley said. ""But at the same time you know you have to be under control.""
Pressley's excitement about the opportunity to play and be physical is infectious, but Rentmeester epitomizes the very same toughness that makes a good fullback.
""I love that they're both tough, both very physical and we feel good with them,"" Chryst said. ""We just have to get them playing and the more snaps they get, the better they'll get.""
Chryst may very well be right. His two young fullbacks are engaged in a friendly competition but we can all be sure, they never lose focus of the ""friendly"" part.
""Chris and I get along real well,"" Rentmeester said. ""During the games we're talking about what's going on, how people are leveraging the blocks and what we need to do if we see something on the sidelines that could help the other guy out.""
While the two may seem different, they have quite a bit in common. Both are exceptional athletes and both played tailback in high school.
Rentmeester went back and forth between positions, while Pressley mainly carried the ball. When Pressley came to UW, he came as a tailback. When he was asked to make the switch last year, he didn't see why not.
""Fullback is not a problem for me. I'm a big guy, I'm aggressive, I like to just pound guys in,"" Pressley said. ""But right now I'm learning it's not just a physical position it's more mental-how you approach things.""
With Bernstein out for an unknown-or undisclosed-period of time, his two young prot??g??s will have to aid the offensive line the best they can in order to keep one of the nation's best rushing offenses thriving. Both Rentmeester and Pressley want to make sure the Badgers aren't feeling the ""Bern"" of his absence.
