Sophomore tailback P.J. Hill will likely play this Saturday at No. 1 Ohio State after an MRI taken Sunday revealed he has a bruise on the top of his left foot UW head coach Bret Bielema announced at his weekly news conference.
Hill had 57 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 33-3 win over Indiana before leaving after UW's second offensive series with what was originally reported as a lower leg injury. X-rays taken Saturday were negative.
Hill did not practice Sunday, and Bielema does not know if the East Elmhurst, N.Y., native will be ready to go Tuesday.
It's very, very sensitive and sore, and we're encouraged that there wasn't any structural damage, just a bruise,"" Bielema said. ""Hopefully it's something we can get through in a short amount of time.""
According to Bielema, the bruise occurred almost ""pinpoint"" on top of a plate inserted into Hill's foot after breaking his leg in 2005.
Freshman Zach Brown should see more playing time if Hill isn't able to go at full strength Saturday. The first-year tailback rushed for 40 yards and his first career touchdown Saturday against Indiana.
Bielema has been pleased with Brown's speed and pass protection throughout the season, and is encouraged by his enthusiasm for the game.
""We're very excited about Zach,"" Bielema said. ""I think he is a young man that has gotten better every week.
""My feeling is you're going to see a very excited No. 30 whether he gets one rep, 30 carries, whatever it is, he's going to be going at it full go,"" he added.
Levy garners weekly honor
Junior linebacker DeAndre Levy was named the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Indiana Saturday.
Levy, a Milwaukee native, posted a career-high eight tackles, as well as a sack, one pass breakup, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. His speed was critical for the Badgers in containing the Hoosiers' spread offense, one that, prior to Saturday, was the conference's No. 2 scoring offense.
The head coach pointed to his reaction to the Illinois game on Oct. 6 as a turning point for Levy's vast improvement on the field.
""He didn't play well in the Illinois game, and he knew it,"" Bielema said. ""He basically called himself out in the media and said that he will make himself better. From that point forward, he has.""
Defense
According to Bielema, for the past two weeks of practice, all defensive starters have been able to practice for each day in preparation for each Saturday's opponent. He said the preparation has been one of the keys to why his defense has played better.
""I think that's something I really, really harped on our guys on Friday night, was Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday our defense practiced extremely well, practiced extremely fast, and came out and played well on Saturday,"" Bielema said.
In the last two weeks, the Badgers outscored Northern Illinois and Indiana 77-6 and outgained the two opponents by almost 500 yards combined.
Bielema added that the number one reason for the vast improvement is the way the team carries itself on the field.
""I said it to our staff on Sunday, and repeated it to our players, there's two things that are evident when you watch film of Saturday's game, was they're playing aggressive, they're playing to attack the football, and they're basically playing at a higher pace, just speed all over the field because of it,"" Bielema said.
Big Ten Network
When asked if there is disappointment that most local fans will be without home access to Saturday's game, arguably the Badgers' biggest of the season, due to the game being on the Big Ten Network, Bielema responded with an alternative plan for fans.
""In the mean time, go to a restaurant, sit around, a lot of places are going to [carry the game],"" Bielema said. ""I'd grab maybe a burger and some cheese curds, maybe a refreshment, grab a friend, wear some red and support the Badgers.""
