For one last fall afternoon, UW seniors ran onto the field at Camp Randall Stadium for one final chance to play football in front of 80,000-plus screaming Badger faithful.
The result: a 37-21 victory over No. 12 Michigan, marking the Wolverines' first Big Ten loss and cementing this year's seniors as the winningnest class in UW history with a 39-10 record.
Right now it's kind of surreal, we really don't know what to think,"" senior wide receiver Paul Hubbard said. ""I was talking to [sophomore tailback] P.J. [Hill] as we were coming off the field, and we're like, it's so perfect ... I don't know whether to jump up and down or just sit there, it was just amazing.""
Fifth-year senior quarterback Tyler Donovan orchestrated the offensive attack, posting 245 yards passing and a touchdown, while running for 49 yards and another score.
Donovan suffered a hand injury late in the fourth quarter and did not return to the game. He would have been able to return, coach Bret Bielema said, if the Badgers hadn't been in control of the game. Donovan showed reporters his right hand following the game, revealing a walnut-sized bruise as well as two blue streaks from the helmet of Wolverines linebacker Obi Ezeh, the player who drilled Donovan on the play.
""I'm all for the team, it's about any way to get it done and try to put our team in a position to win football games,"" Donovan said. ""Whether it's sitting in the pocket and taking a hit, or whatever the circumstances, I'm all for it.""
One play may have very well summed up the toughness and grit Donovan has brought to the quarterback position ever since he made his debut as a starter in November of 2006. On a third down on UW's final drive of the half, Donovan faced heavy pressure from the Michigan defense as he dropped back. Surrounded by maize and blue, he managed to scramble out of it, spinning away from two defenders toward the line of scrimmage and rolling to the right. He threw a well-timed pass down the sideline to a blanketed Beckum, who leapt over his defender to make a 26-yard reception for the first down. The play epitomized the playmaking ability of the Badger seniors on Saturday.
""Tyler's an unbelievable competitor,"" Bielema said. ""I got a kick out of the little pass where he came running at the line of scrimmage and pulled himself back. That's the kind of stuff he does.""
Hubbard, another fifth-year senior, also starred for the Badgers on Saturday. The receiver, who was sidelined for five games this season with a knee injury, racked up a career-high seven receptions for 134 yards and made several crucial third-down catches for the Badgers.
The game was especially emotional for Hubbard, whose father was in the stands for the first time in his career. Hubbard discussed his focus and determination during the contest.
""I felt it all day long,"" Hubbard said. ""Coach [DelVaughn] Alexander came up to me and was like, 'Be cool, relax, take your helmet off,' and I said I'm fine coach, just put me back in the game. That's just the way it went on.""
Several other seniors made key contributions for the Badgers down the stretch.
Cornerback Ben Strickland, a captain who is used as a defensive back primarily in dime and nickel packages, has evolved into one of UW's most formidable special teams weapons. Early in the fourth quarter Saturday, Strickland hit Michigan's freshman cornerback Donovan Warren almost immediately after the ball was caught, forcing the Wolverines to start from their own 14-yard line.
As the lone defensive senior starter for most of the season, defensive lineman Nick Hayden has been one of the Badgers' most consistent players.
Hayden finished the game with 1.5 tackles for a loss, and batted down a key third-down pass early in the second half, forcing Michigan to punt just outside of field goal range.
""It's a good way to go out, as a senior, beating Michigan, 12th-ranked team in the country, it's a great win, but I'm definitely going to miss playing here,"" Hayden said.
Wide receiver Luke Swan, who was out for the season after suffering a torn hamstring on Oct. 13 at Illinois, also made his presence felt. Swan dropped his crutches and jogged onto the field, receiving a huge ovation from the Camp Randall crowd and wild approval from his teammates.
""It was great, obviously that kid is unbelievable,"" senior center Marcus Coleman said. ""He's an unbelievable worker, and for him to have the injury is just heartbreaking. To see him be able to run out on Senior Day is heartwarming.""
After reflecting on an emotion-filled, record-setting day, the seniors, and the entire team, look forward to their pursuit to retain Paul Bunyan's Axe against archrival Minnesota next Saturday.
""We're going to go into Minnesota and we're going to keep that axe,"" sophomore tackle Gabe Carimi said. ""And that's what we're looking at right now.
