CHICAGO—For three straight years Wisconsin's offense faced the task of breaking in a new starting quarterback. In 2008 the team even got to break in two of them.
But now, at the very start of the 2010 campaign, those days are over.
Senior signal-caller Scott Tolzien will enter the season as returning starter, giving the Badgers continuity at the position for the first time since John Stocco departed Madison after 2006. Stocco's second season showcased the jump from offensive liability to the most prolific passing season in UW history.
Thirteen starts into his tenure, Tolzien thinks his return could mean a lot to the Badger attack.
""It hopefully brings a sense of stability to our offense and to our team, just knowing that you've got someone that's been under fire and has been through it all,"" Tolzien said. ""I've looked forward to the leadership role that I have right now as a senior and a returning starter to make sure … everyone is working hard and doing the right things.""
Tolzien threw for over 2,700 yards last season, which ranks only behind Stocco's 2005 performance in school history; and led the Big Ten's most prolific offense in terms of both points and yards.
His calming presence and understanding of the game, however, have drawn the most attention from people around the team.
""[Last spring] I heard [junior wide receiver] Nick Toon say to some reporter that he's the most intelligent quarterback he's ever been around,"" Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema told reporters. ""When you get other players on that side of the ball feeling that they know he's got the game plan, the decisions, he's got the idea and he's able to put them in the right situation, that really goes a long way.""
The word Bielema consistently used to describe his starter was perfectionist, pointing at a dedication to film study and constant desire to improve.
Tolzien viewed that as a double-edged sword, pointing out that the need to push himself and improve had to be balanced with the ability not to dwell on the bad or, as he put it, overanalyze.
Even at the Big Ten's media days Wednesday, he mentioned that when looking back at the team's two midseason losses, his attention was drawn to all the opportunities his team missed. When asked if he had any personal goals for the season, he said nothing measurable, just improving decisions and, again, missing fewer opportunities.
""I know we might have a loss during the season, probably will, and I hope I can be a part of that, ‘Hey, let's go get the next one.' Make sure that thing doesn't snowball,"" he said. In each of the last three seasons, Wisconsin has failed to rebound for a victory following its first loss of the season.
But just like the situation at quarterback, 2010 may not be quite the same as the previous three years. Tolzien is a steady, cerebral leader at the helm of an offense returning nine other starters, and his presence could make all the difference.
""I think being the guy last year just motivated Scott even more this year,"" said junior running back John Clay, who earned the Big Ten offensive player of the year award in 2009.
""Being that this is his senior year, too, I see him always … studying plays, always wanting to do extra drills, extra practice, just wanting to be that complete quarterback.
