Bret Bielema Comments from December 29 News Conference

Opening statement
“I think as we get closer you can see the kids in meetings and during our practice time getting more and more in tune with what we came down here to do; play a ball game on the first. It’s been great to be in the same room with coach Fulmer and his players and the way they represented themselves. Just even watching the game last night between Michigan State and Boston College, I think it gets the kids excited and keeps everybody in mind what we’re here for. It’s a great opportunity and I’m excited to be here especially when I call home and they’ve got 4-8 inches of snow last night. It makes everything that much better down here.”

On the difference in speed between the conferences
“When we’re talking about Tennessee and the team we’re facing; they’re very, very fast. Not only are they fast but they’re big in the positions they need to be big at. Just from a recruiting basis, any time the SEC, because of the players they’re able to bring into their campus and what they’re able to recruit, from the roster spot one through 85 there’s definitely probably more speed. I went away and went to the Big 12 for a while and when I came back I was amazed at the difference, especially defensively, across our conference, the speed and what we see on a week to week basis on the Big Ten. A couple of scouts have commented to me about how Wisconsin’s defense has changed speed-wise, physically. I know coach Fulmer has made note of that as well. It was probably something that I think really was legit probably 10 years ago but has lessened a little bit now.”

On how P.J. Hill will be utilized in the Badger offense
“He’ll be in there right away. He won’t start, but he’ll be involved in the game plan. There are obviously certain strengths that P.J. has that are better than Zach (Brown) or better than Lance (Smith). But we do have three guys that will play in the game at the tailback position. The thing is all three have certain gifts athletically that differentiate what they can do on the football field. The one thing I’ve always said about our offense and Paul Chryst our offensive coordinator is he really probably plays to players strengths as good as any coach I’ve been around, and that’s what we’ll have to do.”

On defensive back Jack Ikegwuonu’s Outback Bowl preparation
“Jack has had excellent preparation. He’s really been into it from day one. Going through some trials and tribulations this year, I really liked the way he played down the stretch. He’s got a decision in front of him, a junior with an option to come back. One thing about Jack is I believe he really takes to challenges. He knows he’s got a tremendous challenge with the group of receivers Tennessee has. He came up to me yesterday during a kicking phase and asked to be put in a certain position just because he wants to have a great match-up. It shows me that he’s into it and we’re going to get one of his best performances.”

On difference between John Stocco and Tyler Donovan
“John was very poised, a real student of the game. He really had a lot of experience. This is Tylers’s first start in a bowl game, so I think he’s excited for that. Tyler and Paul (Chryst) spend a lot of time one-on-one. Tyler really likes and takes to film sessions when he’s got coach Chryst one-on-one. At the luncheon yesterday when the question was asked who has surprised you this year as a potential leader that helped get us through the season, I thought Tyler Donovan was that guy, especially in big games, the Michigan game and the Ohio State game.”

On the match-up against Tennessee in the Outback Bowl
“It was always interesting to hear what the talking heads of the sporting world always say when these match-ups come. From what we’ve done, we’ve had similar seasons, had times where things got a little rough. I think their kids have experienced and persevered and played strongly at the finish. I know we played our best football in the last four or five games. I think it’s a great match-up for that purpose.”

On the challenges presented by the Volunteers squad
“From an offensive point of view it’s handling the speed up front. They run a lot of pressures. We have to be able to handle the pressures, and for us to handle them doesn’t mean having a body on them. We’ve got to be able to execute a technique once we’re there. That’s a big concern for us. From a defensive point of view, just because of the injuries that we’ve had at the corner position, being able to align to their adjustments. They do a lot of things to spread you out. The big thing our kids have got to be able to handle is communication on the field and be able to put themselves in the right place before the snap. Ainge is extremely gifted; he’s seen a lot of talented defenses in this conference come after him in a lot of different ways and he’s been able to execute time and time again. That’s probably the two match-up issues I’m concerned with.”