Bielema's First Class Finishes

Four years ago the Wisconsin football program was changing directions. Some felt for the better, and others felt for the worst, but Saturday is when everything finally came to a finale. With Bret Bielema's first recruiting class finishing...with a conference championship.

In Bielema's first year at the helm the man looked like a genius. The Badgers were 11-1 heading to the Capital One Bowl to take on an Arkansas team that could have been in the national championship if it wasn't for a slip up against Florida. The Badgers would defeat the Hogs to go 12-1 in Bielema's first season. The next two years wouldn't be as easy.

Wisconsin would go 9-4 the following season, and lose their bowl game against Tennessee. The next year would be the worst. The Badgers went an abismal 7-6, and many still believe if it wasn't for Cal Poly's Andrew Gardner missing two extra points in the final two scores Bielema could have very well been out of a job.

Quiety through that time the Badgers were getting better. Especially his first recruiting class. Featuring a group of solid offensive linemen (Carimi and Moffit), a potential NFL tight end (Kendricks), and a quarterback that would come out of nowhere to be one of the best in college football (Tolzien). A group that would lead the Badgers to the promised land just two years later.

After 20 wins and only four losses in the next two seasons those recruits had become leaders, and seniors. Saturday was just the end of an era. One that would end with a Big Ten Championship.

The offensive line would be the first group of seniors that would strike for scores on Saturday against Northwestern. This tiem aiding the Badgers to score three touchdowns by sophomore running back Montee Ball. Then it was time for a different senior on the other side of the ball to get in on the action.

Defensive captain and fellow senior Jay Valai got in on the fun in between scores. Not just for telling his mom that he loves her during the "Ask the Badgers" segment on the video screen later in the game. The second Ball touchdown would be setup with a Valai interception, and he wouldn't be the only Badger making big grabs on Saturday against Northwestern.

In the second quarter senior quarterback Scott Tolzien would find fellow senior David Gilreath for his first passing touchdown of the day. One that would be followed by another senior. This time it would be Lance Kenricks.

On a near perfect pass Kendricks would make a diving catch in the endzone. The result would be a 29 yard touchdown that would be the last for Kendricks in Camp Randall. Tolzien wasn't quite done yet.

The senior from Rolling Meadows, Ill. would find pay dirt two more times. Hitting red-shirt junior wide reciever Nick Toon for both of them. Those two touchdowns would move the score to 49-17 heading into halftime, and all but lock-up a share of the Big Ten title.

Wisconsin would add two more offensive touchdowns, and a interception returned for a touchdown by Aaron Henry. Making the score 70-23, and giving the Badgers what had been so far away not too long ago...a Big Ten championship.

In what has been a crazy four years the seniors found a way to finish off their careers with a bang. Finishing on top, and a possible trip to the Rose Bowl. A place where to Badger has been in a decade...