The Wisconsin Badgers were a well-oiled machine in the 2009 season. There were certainly some kinks along the way, but for the most part, many would call a 10-3 record and bowl win over Miami a successful year.
That was last year, though, and while many faces remain the same, 2010 presents a new team.
""You have to remember that it's a new season and it's a new team and we have new goals and there are new challenges,"" senior offensive lineman John Moffitt said.
Moffitt and the rest of the offensive line will be responsible for protecting a Wisconsin attack that looks very similar to the 2009 team. Returning for the Badgers are senior quarterback Scott Tolzien, as well as the reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, junior running back John Clay.
For his part, the Wisconsin offense will rely on Clay to deliver a performance at least as dominating as he had in the 2009 season. Last year, Clay led the Big Ten and ranked eighth in the country with 1,571 yards—an average of over 116 yards per game— and scored 18 rushing touchdowns.
But once again, 2009 was last year, and 2010 will pose different challenges for Clay, who will be under pressure to defend his Big Ten honor.
""I just [have to] motivate myself... [and establish] some goals and try to achieve more as a team perspective than my own individual goals,"" Clay said.
Clay is currently recovering from an offseason ankle surgery and has missed the entire spring practice schedule while on crutches, but will be ready to return to action in June for conditioning. In fact, Clay said his recovery is ahead of schedule.
""This summer ... I'll be done [with the recovery] before they want me to and that will give me extra time to work out,"" he said, ""So [right now, I'm] just focusing on getting back and conditioning.""
Tolzien will be handing the ball off to Clay for the second consecutive season. The senior quarterback will look to build on a solid 2009 season—this time with a full year of experience under his belt. Tolzien, who went through a three-player quarterback battle last season, does not expect to prepare any differently this year, however, even knowing his job is secure.
""I don't think it's too much different,"" Tolzien said. ""I think you have to prepare the same whether you're a first string or a second string, and that's all about the preparation. So I don't think anything's changed. You don't take your foot off the gas just because you're the quote unquote starter.""
Tolzien, who started all 13 games last season, and threw for over 2,700 yards and 16 touchdowns, expects to take more responsibility in 2010.
""I think it's a little more leadership being a senior,"" Tolzien said. ""There's some more responsibility on my shoulders in that respect.""
Protecting Tolzien this season will be a Wisconsin offensive line that struggled last season to keep opposing defenses away from the quarterback. Although Tolzien was not sacked in five of 13 games in 2009, the offensive line surrendered 23 sacks in total, including six against Ohio State in the team's worst defeat.
Moffitt does not believe the line will make any significant changes, however. Instead, he said the team will focus more on simply performing stronger as a group.
""It's a simple formula,"" Moffitt said. ""We won't reinvent the wheel.""
Moffitt is excited to see many players returning to full strength on the line this year.
Additionally, the senior leader noted two younger players who could make an impact on the offensive line in 2010. Sophomore offensive lineman Travis Frederick became the first true freshman in school history to start a season opener last season, and started three additional games at both center and left guard, including the Champ Sports Bowl against Miami.
""We have a lot of depth this year, and the young guys are all playing real well,"" Moffitt said.
Moffitt also said freshman Ryan Groy is potentially a player who could begin to make an impact on the line this year.
In addition to protecting the pocket for Tolzien, Moffitt mentioned that the offensive line takes pride in protecting Clay and the rest of the running core as well.
""I think it goes both ways. John runs hard for us and we block hard for him,"" Moffitt said. ""It helps when we open a hole but it helps when he's falling forward every time he gets tackled or getting yards after a hit.""
Fans can catch their first glimpse of Moffitt, Tolzien, Clay and a preview of the rest of the 2010 squad this Saturday, as the Badgers take the field for the spring game.
