Wisconsin Player and Coach Quotes from Dec. 28

QUARTERBACK TYLER DONOVAN

On how the Badgers will approach the Volunteer defense “With the defense they have, we have to attack. We just have to find ways to attack them and keep them on their toes a little bit.”

On his impressions of the Tennessee defense “They are a team that plays well together and a team that knows their strengths. They can use their speed to their advantage on the defensive side of the ball. They scheme; they play their defenses well, the different coverages and the pressures that they’re bringing. We’ve got to be ready for some things.”

On the Badgers game plan “We’re going to take our shots at them. That’s how you’ve got to play against defenses like this, especially with speed.”

On his final game as a Badger “I’m sure after the game is when it’s really going to set in. Right now it’s about preparation and enjoying the bowl. It makes you want to finish it up right and go out on top. It’s going to be bittersweet and it’s going to be fun and I’ll enjoy it.”

On having P.J. Hill in the backfield for the Outback Bowl “Whenever you can have a back like P.J. behind you it makes things a little bit easier for the offense and myself.”

LINEBACKER JONATHAN CASILLAS

On the Badgers defensive game plan “We’ve got different things we’re going to throw at them. It’s all about our first and second down defense. If we do try to get some pressure on them, we have to do very well on first and second down. Ainge is a very good quarterback; he’ll throw the ball around. We’re just going to do the best we can.”

On Tennessee tailback Arian Foster “He looks good; I’m not going to lie. He looks like a big, strong, physical back. He’s a good cut back and bounce runner. He’ll punch it up in there like it’s nothing. He’s good in the red zone as well. We’ve got to be very cautious and aware of where he’s at, and if he gets the ball, we’ve got to get 11 guys to the ball.”

On the similarities between the two teams “In the beginning of the year we were projected pretty high in our conference and in the national rankings and I think they were as well. I think it adds that extra incentive that we’re in the same position and we’re matched up against them in a good bowl game.”

On what he believes was the main problem with the Badger team “I think the main thing was inconsistency from all players, not just one player or two players, but all players. Some key players didn’t step up in big situations. Some guys that played roles didn’t step up in their role playing positions, other times they did. It was just a lack of consistency.”

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR MIKE HANKWITZ

On the Wisconsin defense “We’re a little down in depth in our secondary without two corners with (Allen) Langford and then (Aaron) Henry. We still feel like we have to mix it up, we can’t show them the same look all the time. We have to walk that fine line where we mix it up enough but we don’t put ourselves that much at risk either.”

On Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge “The thing that has impressed us is the way he handles pressure. He gets rid of the ball, doesn’t take sacks, he doesn’t throw it up for grabs; he’s smart. He knows where to go with the ball. He gives himself a chance to make a completion without taking unnecessary risks.”

On the Badger defensive line and the Volunteers’ offensive line “They’ve played consistent all year, but they’re going to have their biggest challenge of the year because of the Tennessee line and their size and experience. They’re probably just as big a part of the fact that (quarterback Erik) Ainge hasn’t been sacked much because they pick up pressure.”

On the challenge the Tennessee offense presents “They’ve got four receivers, even without Taylor, that have caught 40 passes. They’ve got short game, they’ve got long game, they’ve got screen game. They’ve got the whole deal. Obviously (quarterback Erik) Ainge is the guy that makes it go because of his experience. It’s going to be a great challenge for us.”

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR PAUL CHRYST

On tight end Travis Beckum “Travis is a different breed on and off the field. He’s a good one. We’ve got to use our guys the best we can and I think we’re doing that with Travis. We need him to play big in every game we have. The thing about Travis is when it’s a big game, he thrives on that, and we need him to be good.”

TIGHT END TRAVIS BECKUM

On the key to the Badger offense “We’ve got to come out and play. We’ve got to take advantage of what they give us.”

On Wisconsin’s Outback Bowl preparation “I think we’ve done a great job of preparing for it, especially with the hydration. I think our coaches do a great job of getting us prepared for the bowl game and I think we’ve done great in the past with our bowl prep.”

On Badger quarterback Tyler Donovan “He’s done a great job. He’s done so many good things through the air as well as with his feet.”

On bowl week and preparation for the game “I’m excited for the game. All that other stuff is kind of just there. I just want to go out there and play football. Honestly, if you had a game in 10 minutes I’d be ready.”

SAFETY SHANE CARTER

On the Volunteers playing without leading receiver Lucas Taylor “It’s just like any other team; they’ve got great players behind him waiting to step up. At this level everybody’s good. I don’t really look at it like that. Hopefully we can make some plays when the ball is in the air, that’s how I look at it. I’m sure they’ll be ready to play.”

CENTER MARCUS COLEMAN

On the possibility of P.J. Hill starting for the Badgers in the Outback Bowl “Whether he plays or not, we still have to do the same things up front. We can’t really get too caught up in that. We just have to take care of business and understand what we have to do to have success up front. The rest should take care of itself. As long as we do what we do up front, no matter who’s back there, I’m confident we’ll have success.”

On the performance of quarterback Tyler Donovan “It’s been great to see Tyler grow up and become a great quarterback for us and bring a different element to the game with his legs.”

On the Tampa experience “The weather has been unbelievable. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

DEFENSIVE TACKLE NICK HAYDEN

On adjusting to the warm Florida climate “We played in the heat earlier in the season. We really haven’t had a cold game yet. It’s really not much of a change. Coming from the cold right now into this is a little bit of a change. It’s real easy to get used to, just prepare yourself well for the game, hydrate, and do all the right things.”

On the Tennessee offense “Watching them on film they have a very good team. Their running back is very solid and does the right things. The quarterback is very efficient with the ball. He completes a lot of passes and if he’s getting pressured, he gets rid of the ball quickly. Their offensive line is big and can block very well. Overall, they have a very good team and we’re ready to play them.”

KICKER TAYLOR MEHLHAFF

On the Outback Bowl experience “It’s been a great time. They always have awesome things planned for us; we get to go over to GameWorks and Busch Gardens and beach day. They’ve always got fun things for us. It’s a chance to spend more time with the guys on the team outside of football.”