Junior wide receiver Marcus Randle El will leave football and pursue a medical scholarship, UW football head coach Bret Bielema announced Monday at his weekly news conference.
Randle El suffered a torn ACL last fall that forced him to miss all of last season. He has continued to be hampered by knee injuries this season, and has decided to call it quits as a result.
Basically after the Ohio State game, Marcus came in and had a couple days in a row where his knees were extremely painful for him, and we had a conversation that I felt was probably going to take place a couple months prior,"" Bielema said.
""Going into the year, we didn't even think he was going to be able to ... make it through our double-day sessions.""
Randle El came to the Badgers facing high expectations, due largely to the success his brother Antwaan had with Indiana several years ago. Marcus Randle El will finish his 2007 campaign with one reception for nine yards as well as 32 punt return yards.
Bielema noted he'd like Randle El to remain involved with the team in some capacity.
""Right now, it's just a difficult time for him, so I've allowed him to be involved as much as he can, but this is going to be a gradual process for him, so we'll continue to work it,"" he said.
P.J. Hill update
According to Bielema, sophomore tailback P.J. Hill will practice Tuesday and is expected to be ready to go this Saturday at Minnesota.
Hill entered last Saturday's game against Michigan briefly after sophomore Lance Smith, the team's No. 2 option at tailback for the game, left with a shoulder injury for the duration of the contest. Hill carried five times for 14 yards.
""The injury that [Hill] had was something that he kind of had to manage and determine how much he can do,"" Bielema said. ""So for us to have a plan with him on Saturday, he's got to be able to show it during the course of the week, what he can and can't do.""
True freshman Zach Brown started for Hill and played an impressive game. Brown propelled the Badgers, especially late in the game, and finished with 108 yards on the ground along with two touchdowns. Brown's two-yard scoring plunge with 2:15 remaining put the game out of reach for the Wolverines, giving UW a 37-21 advantage.
Brown now has 289 yards and three touchdowns on the season.
""Zach has performed at a level that's easy to get excited about, not only what he does in the run game, but also he did a good job in pass protection. He did a good job in short-yardage and third down,"" Bielema said.
Vanden Heuvel, Donovan expected to go
Despite recent injuries, junior right tackle Eric Vanden Heuvel and senior quarterback Tyler Donovan are both expected to play Saturday, Bielema said.
Vanden Heuvel, who sustained a right lower leg injury on Nov. 3 at Ohio State, did not play against Michigan, but made progress last week. Bielema said his status will likely be decided by Wednesday or Thursday of this week.
Donovan, who left the game Saturday after sustaining an injury to his right hand, will practice Tuesday and be reassessed from there.
Shaughnessy garners weekly honor
Junior defensive end Matt Shaughnessy was recognized as the Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in Saturday's game against Michigan.
Shaughnessy had seven tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks. He was instrumental in holding the Wolverines to just 47 yards on the ground.
""We kind of leaned on Matt about four weeks ago to step forward as a leader because he has that type of ability and that's what he's been able to do,"" Bielema said. ""He kind of does it quietly, but he does it very, very well.""
""He was going against good football players on Saturday and was able to perform well.""
