You see, for me, it doesn't matter if I'm naughty or nice. Santa's not coming down my chimney. He would have to come through the front door, but only if he kisses the mezuzah on his way in. But I thought, you know, since everyone's doing it, I might as well make up one of those lists that people send to the North Pole. Maybe I'll get what I want. I don't ask for much. So, here it is: Sam's Hanukkah wish list.
Charlie Frye was driving the Zips down the field back in 2003 when he ran into a brick wall. The Badger front stopped Akron on fourth-and-goal on the one-yard-line and took over. On the very next play, Jim Sorgi unleashed a 99-yard bomb to Lee Evans, down the right side line for a score. Even though they would follow it up with a 23-5 rain drenched loss to UNLV, Wisconsin would win that game 48-31 and I was officially enamored with Badger football.
Where is Sorgi now? Sitting on the sideline watching Peyton Manning lead his Colts to an undefeated season. Head coach Tony Dungy has said that, while 16-0 would be quite an accomplishment, he would rather his key players be well rested for the playoffs.
'It's really kind of a no-brainer,'' Dungy told Sports Illustrated. 'As soon as the games aren't meaningful in the standings, it is something we'll think about. They don't give out rings for being 16-0.'
Many have been critical of Dungy, saying it's just not right to ignore history. When you have a chance for the record books, you go for it. And I agree. Kind of.
It would make my Hanukkah wishes come true'in fact it would make me all ver klempt'if the Colts were to go with Jim Sorgi in week 17 on New Years. The Badger fan in me wants to see Sorgi throw a game- winning touchdown to the Big Ten's own Ben Hartstock (Ohio State). I want Sorgi to go into Colt lore forever and maybe (this is stretching it) a quarter back controversy to start. But that may be asking too much for a guy with 29 career NFL pass attempts. What has he done with those attempts, you ask? Only a 58.6 completion percentage, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Hey, it's a wish list, I'm allowed to dream.
A day after the Sorgi's miracle finish, the Badgers will take on the Auburn Tigers in the Capital One Bowl. It will be the final game for the likes of Brandon Williams, Jonathan Orr and Owen Daniels among others and all UW fans wish them the best. But it also has a chance to be the final time wearing the cardinal and white for two other Badger greats: Brian Calhoun and Joe Thomas.
For the two juniors, the choice is ultimately theirs, but it would be a shame to see them go. Stocco and the Badger offense matured this year around the running game. Calhoun's 1,423 yards made it easier for Williams and Orr to find soft spots in the defense, and next year's young receivers like Marcus Randle El and Jarvis Minton would unquestionably benefit from his expertise. Losing Thomas would be an even greater blow to an offensive line that is losing its center Donovan Raiola. The left tackle was named to the Walter Camp All-America second team and was a consensus first-team All-Big Ten.
Both Calhoun and Thomas are rocks. Having become accustomed to the oft-injured Anthony Davis at running back, it was nice to see a guy that didn't cause you to say, 'Oh my god, is he injured'? every time he was tackled. Thomas has started 24 straight games for the Badgers, a testament to his hard work and dedication.
It would be really easy for these guys to jet for the glitz and the glamour given the national praise they've received as of late. However, it would also be easy for them to stay. With a more mature and healthy defense bringing back Joe Stellmacher, Roderick Rodgers and Matthew Shaughnessy, just to name a few, the Badgers have a chance to do something special in the Big Ten next year.
So, there you have it; short, but sweet. A Sorgi miracle and a Calhoun/Thomas return. That's not asking much. I'll also take no more broken noses or mononucleosis for the men's basketball team. Now, if you'd excuse me, my latkes are getting cold.
