When it comes to Wisconsin Badger football, there are a few things that fans can always expect: offensive lineman to be tall enough to play forward for the basketball team, a defense ready to blitz the opposition into a coma and a stellar return man on special teams.
Past seasons have seen Nick Davis, and most recently, Brandon Williams catch a kick or punt deep in their own endzone, only to watch them run it out and get much further then the 20-yard line.
The 2008 Badgers are no different, as sophomore wide receiver David Gilreath has taken the reigns of the return game and has produced incredible numbers in only 16 games. Gilreath has already compiled 1,173 kickoff return yards, which puts him currently in fourth place on UW's all-time list. He also holds the school-record for most kickoff return yards in a season (967) and game (189).
When it comes to punt returns, Gilreath has returned 30 for a total of 389 yards. But with all of these accomplishments, there is one statistical category that still remains blank: touchdowns.
I feel like I am an assist man, like I'm Steve Nash out there. I just say, 'You know what P.J. [Hill]? I'll let you have this one,'"" Gilreath said. ""I think about it all the time. I try not to think about it now, last year I thought about it constantly ... Hopefully I'll get in there during the next three years.""
Despite his inability up to this point to cross the goal line, Gilreath has quickly become a threat at the wide receiver position as well. Last year, Gilreath was somewhat buried on the depth chart, and it was only on special teams where he made his impact.
However, in his second season as a Badger, Gilreath has stepped into the starting role opposite fellow sophomore wideouts Kyle Jefferson or Maurice Moore.
""It's kind of a group thing. [They] are all kind of growing at the same pace, and it is the thing that guys do different - like David, he has a special gift to make plays - so he gets the opportunity to be a starter,"" wide receiver coach DelVaughn Alexander said. ""At the same time he is still learning the position.""
One way of describing Gilreath's athletic ability is versatile. Not only is he the team's main punt and kick returner as well as a starting wide receiver, but he has also been known to run the ball as well, mainly on end-arounds and sweeps.
Against Fresno State two weeks ago, Gilreath had 140 all-purpose yards, with two punt returns for 27 yards each, three kickoff returns for 82 yds, along with 21 yards rushing on two carries and one reception for 10 yards.
""He is special with the ball. It's just our job to make sure that he has a chance to tough [the ball] and make plays,"" Alexander said.
But is his big-play ability that fans both this year and last really noticed, and it will only be time before Gilreath breaks a big one on special teams.
""David has shown those guys on film - the guys in the room who are blocking for him - that he does have the ability to make some big plays,"" head coach Bret Bielema said Monday at his weekly press conference.
His play last season earns him a number of honors, including being selected to the second-team freshman All-American and first-team freshman All-Big Ten by The Sporting News, but Gilreath hasn't let it go to his head.
It is that mentality that has allowed Gilreath to shoot up the ladder in the record books at UW. But don't get him wrong, that first touchdown will be pretty special for Gilreath.
""If [the touchdown is scored] by the student section, I'm going right into the student section and I'm going to take a seat,"" Gilreath said jokingly. ""Hopefully it will be right before the fourth quarter when the 'Jump Around' happens. Maybe if it is on the other side I'll Lambeau leap ... but no I'm one to just hand the ball to the ref.
