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FOOTBALL

Football: Offensive wrinkles add dimensions to UW playbook

By Jake Powers | Dec. 29, 2014

Discussing Wisconsin’s offensive productivity feels inherently wrong with the memory of its nightmarish 59-0 embarrassment at the hands of Ohio State still fresh. Yet, prior to that forgettable night in Indianapolis, the Badgers ranked 20th in total offense and were the 14th-best scoring team in the nation. They had put up at least 34 points in six of their prior seven games, and by all measures appeared to be a nearly unstoppable offensive force.

FOOTBALL

Football: Auburn awaits inconsistent Wisconsin

By Jim Dayton | Dec. 21, 2014

It has been a tumultuous past few weeks for No. 17 Wisconsin. From the euphoria of a Big Ten West title to the demoralizing loss to Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship and the shocking departure of head coach Gary Andersen, there are few emotions the Badgers haven’t experienced lately.

COLUMNS

Column: Alvarez found his man

By Jack Baer and Amanda Salm | Dec. 18, 2014

It’s amazing what one week can do for a program.

FOOTBALL

Football: Paul Chryst unveiled as new Badger head coach

By Jim Dayton | Dec. 17, 2014

When Paul Chryst arrived in Madison to become the next head football coach at Wisconsin, he looked out at Camp Randall from his window at HotelRED and recalled memories of a program that has been an integral part of his life since childhood.

FOOTBALL

Gordon comes up short, finishes behind Mariota in Heisman race

By Jim Dayton and Bill Anderson | Dec. 13, 2014

Despite a historically strong campaign in his first year as a starter, Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon finished second in the 80th annual Heisman Trophy balloting Saturday behind Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.

FOOTBALL

Report: Former assistant Chryst poised to become new head coach at Wisconsin

By Jim Dayton | Dec. 11, 2014

According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel’s Jeff Potrykus, current Pittsburgh head coach and former UW assistant Paul Chryst is poised to become the next head coach of the Badgers.

COLUMNS

Heisman Watch: The Finalists

By Jim Dayton | Dec. 11, 2014

We have reached the end. The 80th annual Heisman Trophy will be awarded to one of three finalists Dec. 13—Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon or Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper.

COLUMNS

Column: Searching for reasons behind Andersen's departure

By Jack Baer and Scott Allen | Dec. 11, 2014

Say this for Bret Bielema: When he bolted from Wisconsin, it at least made a lick of sense. “Bert” was apparently unhappy with how much he was allowed to pay his assistants (which is fair, considering NC State pays its assistants more than Wisconsin) and had seen coaching staff after coaching staff lose key football minds to more aggressive schools. The sparkle and money of the SEC shone bright, so Bielema made a career move that was at the very least lateral and was understandable when you consider what the SEC was at the time: the only way to win a national championship.

FOOTBALL

Football: Who could replace Gary Andersen?

By Molly Reppen and Zach Rastall | Dec. 10, 2014

Once again, the position of Wisconsin Badgers head football coach is open thanks to Gary Andersen’s shocking decision to leave Madison for Oregon State. Countless names are already being thrown around as possible candidates, but here are a few names that athletic director Barry Alvarez would do well to consider, along with a 1-to-5 rating of how interested fans would be in them and how likely they would take the job if offered. (Disclaimer: The following list of possible candidates is pure speculation. Their interest in the Wisconsin job and Wisconsin’s interest in them is unknown at this point in time.)

FOOTBALL

Gary Andersen leaving UW for Oregon State

By Jim Dayton and Jake Powers | Dec. 10, 2014

Wisconsin head football coach Gary Andersen is leaving the Badgers to take the same position at Oregon State.

FOOTBALL

Heisman finalist Gordon declares for NFL Draft

By Jim Dayton and Sam Marz | Dec. 10, 2014

Wisconsin redshirt junior running back Melvin Gordon announced Wednesday on “The Dan Patrick Show” that he will forego his senior season and enter the 2015 NFL Draft.

FOOTBALL

Ohio State exposes weakness of UW defense with read-option runs

By Jake Powers and Kaitlyn Schnell | Dec. 8, 2014

INDIANAPOLIS—Gary Andersen rarely passes up the opportunity to praise his team’s ability to fight through adversity. The head coach pays Wisconsin this compliment after nearly every game, citing its ability to bounce back after slow starts, glaring mistakes and blown plays.

BASKETBALL

Top athletes of the Fall 2014 semester

By The Daily Cardinal sports staff | Dec. 8, 2014

The historic Melvin Gordon

FOOTBALL

Buckeyes trounce Badgers in Big Ten title game

By Jim Dayton | Dec. 6, 2014

INDIANAPOLIS— Trailing 31-0 near the end of the first half, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Melvin Gordon fumbled deep inside Wisconsin territory, and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Joey Bosa recovered the ball and returned it for a touchdown.

COLUMNS

Heisman Watch: Week 15

By Jim Dayton | Dec. 4, 2014

This is the 12th edition of the Heisman Watch, a weekly feature tracking the candidates for college football’s most prestigious award. For last week’s rankings, click here.

FOOTBALL

Football: Wisconsin vies for fourth Big Ten title in five seasons

By Jake Powers | Dec. 4, 2014

Call it Madison East. For the third time in four years, No. 11 Wisconsin will head to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship in a battle with No. 6 Ohio State Saturday.

FOOTBALL

Gameday: Five things to watch for against Ohio State

By Zach Rastall | Dec. 4, 2014

The Wisconsin Badgers, looking to win their fourth Big Ten title in the last five years, are headed to Indianapolis to take on Urban Meyer’s Ohio State Buckeyes. Here are five things to watch as the Badgers try to capture their first conference championship under Gary Andersen and spoil the Buckeyes’ dreams of making the inaugural College Football Playoff.

COLUMNS

Column: Don’t overlook importance of Stave in Badgers’ revival

By Rushad Machhi | Dec. 2, 2014

I’ll admit it, I was wrong about Tanner McEvoy being the right starting quarterback for the Wisconsin Badgers. Yes, shockingly I am not infallible.

FOOTBALL

Badgers keep Axe, head to Big Ten championship

By Jake Powers | Nov. 29, 2014

Paul Bunyan’s Axe remains in Madison for the 11th straight season, and the Badgers are headed to Indianapolis.

FOOTBALL

Football: Paul Bunyan's Axe to decide Big Ten West

By Jim Dayton | Nov. 28, 2014

One of college football’s oldest rivalries reaches a new pinnacle Saturday, as No. 22 Minnesota takes on No. 14 Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium to decide the Big Ten West title.