2008 Wisconsin Badgers football team

2008 Wisconsin Badgers football
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Record7–6 (3–5 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorPaul Chryst (4th season)
Offensive schemePro-style
Defensive coordinatorDave Doeren (1st season)
Base defense4–3
MVPAllen Langford
Captains
Home stadiumCamp Randall Stadium
2008 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 8 Penn State $+   7 – 1     11 – 2  
No. 9 Ohio State %+   7 – 1     10 – 3  
No. 24 Michigan State   6 – 2     9 – 4  
Northwestern   5 – 3     9 – 4  
No. 20 Iowa   5 – 3     9 – 4  
Wisconsin   3 – 5     7 – 6  
Minnesota   3 – 5     7 – 6  
Illinois   3 – 5     5 – 7  
Purdue   2 – 6     4 – 8  
Michigan   2 – 6     3 – 9  
Indiana   1 – 7     3 – 9  
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • % – BCS at-large representative
  • + – Conference co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2008 Wisconsin Badgers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. In their third year under head coach Bret Bielema, the Badgers compiled a 7–6 record (3–5 in conference games), finished in a three-way tie for sixth place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 357 to 345.[1] Against ranked opponents, the Badgers defeated No. 21 Fresno State and lost to No. 14 Ohio State, No. 6 Penn State, and No. 22 Michigan State. They concluded the season with a 42–13 loss to unranked Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl.[2] They were not ranked in the final AP and Coaches polls.

The team's statistical leaders included running back P. J. Hill (1,161 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns), quarterback Dustin Sherer (1,389 passing yards), wide receiver Garrett Graham (40 receptions for 540 yards), kicker Philip Welch (99 points scored), and Jaeve McFadden (84 total tackles).[1]

The team played its home games at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 3011:00 a.m.Akron*No. 13
BTNW 38–1780,910
September 611:00 a.m.Marshall*No. 11
  • Camp Randall Stadium
  • Madison, WI
BTNW 51–1480,396
September 139:30 p.m.at No. 21 Fresno State*No. 10
ESPN2W 13–1042,387
September 272:30 p.m.at MichiganNo. 9
ABC/ESPNL 25–27109,833
October 47:00 p.m.[3]No. 12 Ohio StateNo. 18
  • Camp Randall Stadium
  • Madison, WI
ABC[3]L 17–2081,608
October 117:00 p.m.[3]No. 6 Penn State
  • Camp Randall Stadium
  • Madison, WI
ESPN[3]L 7–4881,524
October 1811:00 a.m.at Iowa
BTNL 16–3870,585
October 2511:00 a.m.Illinois
  • Camp Randall Stadium
  • Madison, WI
ESPN2W 27–1781,241
November 111:00 a.m.at No. 22 Michigan State
ESPNL 24–2575,121
November 811:00 a.m.at Indiana
BTNW 55–2030,618
November 152:30 p.m.Minnesota
  • Camp Randall Stadium
  • Madison, WI (rivalry)
ABCW 35–3281,228
November 222:30 p.m.No. 3 (FCS) Cal Poly*
  • Camp Randall Stadium
  • Madison, WI
BTNW 36–35 OT80,709
December 273:30 p.m.vs. Florida State*
ESPNL 13–4252,692
  • *Non-conference game
  • Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

[4]

Rankings

See also: 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP1311108918
Coaches121110881724
HarrisNot released16Not released
BCSNot releasedNot released

Game summaries

Akron

1 2 3 4 Total
Zips 0 10 0 7 17
Badgers 14 3 14 7 38

Marshall

1 2 3 4 Total
Thundering Herd 7 7 0 0 14
Badgers 0 17 21 13 51

Fresno State

See also: 2008 Fresno State Bulldogs football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Badgers 7 3 3 0 13
Bulldogs 0 0 10 0 10

Michigan

See also: 2008 Michigan Wolverines football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Badgers 6 13 0 6 25
Wolverines 0 0 7 20 27

Ohio State

See also: 2008 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Buckeyes 7 0 3 10 20
Badgers 0 10 0 7 17

Penn State

See also: 2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Nittany Lions 3 21 17 7 48
Badgers 0 7 0 0 7

Iowa

See also: 2008 Iowa Hawkeyes football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Badgers 0 3 6 7 16
Hawkeyes 7 7 14 10 38

Illinois

See also: 2008 Illinois Fighting Illini football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Fighting Illini 0 10 7 0 17
Badgers 3 7 7 10 27

Michigan State

See also: 2008 Michigan State Spartans football team
Team 1 234Total
Badgers 7 377 24
• Spartans 0 6712 25
  • Date: November 1
  • Location: Spartan Stadium
    East Lansing, MI
  • Game start: 11:02 a.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 3:34
  • Game attendance: 75,121
  • Game weather: 48F, Wind: NE 10 MPH, Mostly Sunny
  • Referee: Bill LeMonniner
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Pam Ward (Play-by-play) & Ray Bentley (Color)

Indiana

See also: 2008 Indiana Hoosiers football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Badgers 14 10 17 14 55
Hoosiers 13 7 0 0 20

Minnesota

See also: 2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team and Paul Bunyan's Axe
Team 1 234Total
Golden Gophers 0 2138 32
• Badgers 7 01018 35
Scoring summary
112:38WISGarrett Graham 2-yard pass from Dustin Sherer (Philip Welch kick)Wisconsin 7-0
213:30MINNBrandon Green 4-yard pass from Adam Weber (Joel Monroe kick)Tie 7-7
211:14MINNBrodrick Smith 43-yard pass from Adam Weber (Joel Monroe kick)Minnesota 14-7
28:17MINNAdam Weber 6-yard run (Joel Monroe kick)Minnesota 21-7
310:14WISPhilip Welch 47-yard field goalMinnesota 21-10
34:17WISP.J. Hill 1-yard run (Philip Welch kick)Minnesota 21-17
31:37MINNJoel Monroe 30-yard field goalMinnesota 24-17
413:25WISP.J. Hill 1-yard run (Philip Welch kick)Tie 24-24
413:16WISSafety, ball fumbled out of end zoneWisconsin 26-24
410:47WISSafety, Adam Weber tackled by Mike Newkirk in end zoneWisconsin 28-24
46:59WISJohn Clay 5-yard run (Philip Welch kick)Wisconsin 35-24
44:15MINNShady Salamon 13-yard pass from Adam Weber (Shady Salamon run)Wisconsin 35-32

[5]

Cal Poly

1 2 3 4OT Total
Mustangs 7 13 3 66 35
Badgers 0 14 7 87 36

Personnel

Roster

(as of August 12, 2008)[6]
Quarterback
Wide Receiver
  • Isaac Anderson - Sophomore
  • Nate Emanuel - Sophomore
  • David Gilreath - Sophomore
  • Xavier Harris - Junior
  • Kyle Jefferson - Sophomore
  • Daven Jones - Sophomore
  • Richard Kirtley - Junior
  • Eric Kossoris - Freshman
  • Maurice Moore - Sophomore
  • Cody Rose - Freshman
  • Elijah (T.J.) Theus - Junior
  • Nick Toon - Freshman
  • T.J. Williams - Freshman
Offensive Lineman
  • Jordan Bergmann - Freshman
  • Jake Bscherer - Junior
  • Robert Burge - Freshman
  • Gabe Carimi - Sophomore
  • Chris Cromwell - Freshman
  • Jake Current - Freshman
  • Andy Kemp - Senior
  • John Moffitt - Sophomore
  • Bill Nagy - Sophomore
  • Josh Oglesby - Freshman
  • Joe Schafer - Freshman
  • Kraig Urbik - Senior
  • Eric Vandenheuvel - Senior
  • Kevin Zeitler - Freshman
  

Fullback

Running Back
  • Zach Brown - Sophomore
  • John Clay - Freshman
  • Bradie Ewing - Freshman
  • P.J. Hill - Junior
  • Tyler Holland - Junior
  • Dex Jones - Freshman
  • Mike Preisler - Freshman
  • Erik Smith - Freshman
Tight End
  
Defensive Lineman
  • Eriks Briedis - Freshman
  • Patrick Butrym - Freshman
  • Dan Cascone - Junior
  • Jason Chapman - Senior
  • Kirk DeCremer - Sophomore
  • Ricky Garner - Sophomore
  • Jasper Grimes - Freshman
  • Jordan Hein - Junior
  • Brandon Hoey - Sophomore
  • Kenny Jones - Sophomore
  • Brendan Kelly - Freshman
  • Peter Konz - Freshman
  • Anthony Mains - Freshman
  • Dan Moore - Junior
  • Mike Newkirk - Senior
  • Louis Nzegwu - Freshman
  • O'Brien Schofield - Junior
  • Matt Shaughnessy - Senior
  • Jeff Stehle - Junior
  • J. J. Watt - Freshman
  • Tyler Westphal - Freshman
Linebacker
  • Jonathan Casillas - Senior
  • Ryan Flasch - Senior
  • Elijah Hodge - Junior
  • Leonhard Hubbard - Freshman
  • DeAndre Levy - Senior
  • Jaevery McFadden - Junior
  • Tony Megna - Freshman
  • Joshua Neal - Senior
  • Erik Prather - Junior
  • Tyrell Rosemeyer - Freshman
  • Kevin Rouse - Freshman
  • Blake Sorensen - Sophomore
  • Culver St. Jean - Sophomore
  • Mike Taylor - Freshman
  
Defensive Back
  • Niles Brinkley - Sophomore
  • Shane Carter - Junior
  • Kevin Claxton - Freshman
  • Marcus Cromartie - Freshman
  • Antonio Fenelus- Freshman
  • Mario Goins - Freshman
  • Adam Hampton - Freshman
  • William Hartmann - Junior
  • Aaron Henry - Sophomore
  • Shelton Johnson - Freshman
  • Allen Langford - Senior
  • Andrew Lukasko - Freshman
  • Chris Maragos - Junior
  • Otis Merrill - Freshman
  • Prince Moody - Junior
  • Josh Nettles - Junior
  • Chukwuma Offor - Freshman
  • Aubrey Pleasant - Junior
  • Devin Smith - Freshman

Jay Valai-Soph

Long Snapper
  • Zach Opsal - Sophomore
  • Dave Peck - Senior
  • Kyle Wojta - Freshman
  • Drew Woodward - Junior
Punter
Place Kicker
  • Matt Fischer - Junior
  • Philip Welch - Freshman

Coaching staff

Name Position
Bret Bielema Head coach
Paul Chryst Offensive coordinator/Quarterbacks coach
Dave Doeren Defensive coordinator/Inside linebackers coach
Del Alexander Wide receivers coach
Bob Bostad Offensive line coach/Run game coordinator
Kerry Cooks Defensive backs coach
Randall McCray Outside linebackers coach/Recruiting coordinator
Charlie Partridge Defensive line/Special teams coach
Joe Rudolph Tight ends coach
John Settle Running backs coach
Terrance Jamison Student assistant

Regular starters

Statistics

Offense

Passing

Name GP-GS Year Att-Cmp-Int Pct Yds TD Avg/G
Allan Evridge 6-6 Sr (R) 132-71-5 53.8% 949 5 126.3
Dustin Sherer 11-7 Jr (R) 191-104-5 54.5% 1389 6 158.2
Scott Tolzien 3-0 So (R) 5-8-1 62.5% 107 0 35.7
Total 13-13 N/A 333-180-11 54.1% 2445 11 188.2
Opponents 13-13 N/A 404-212-12 52.5% 2545 15 195.8

Rushing

Name Att Yards Avg Long TD
P.J. Hill 226 1161 5.1 13
John Clay 155 844 5.7 46 9
Zach Brown 55 305 5.5 23 3
David Gilreath 25 285 11.4 90 (TD) 2
Bill Rentmeester 11 50 4.5 9 0
Isaac Anderson 3 21 7.0 19 0
Dustin Sherer 49 19 0.4 30 1
Bradie Ewing 4 14 3.5 8 1
Scott Tolzien 4 13 3.3 8 1
Chris Pressley 3 6 2.0 3 0
Allan Evridge 23 4 0.2 19 1
Total 567 2,745 4.8 90 31
Opponents 450 1,733 3.8   23

Receiving

Name GP No. Yds Avg TD Long Avg/G
Garrett Graham 11 40 540 13.5 5   49.1
David Gilreath 13 31 520 16.7 3   40.0
Isaac Anderson 13 21 286 13.6 0   22.0
Travis Beckum 6 23 264 11.4 0   44.0
Nick Toon 12 17 257 15.1 1   21.4
Kyle Jefferson 11 14 189 13.5 0   17.2
Lance Kendricks 7 6 141 23.5 0   20.1
P.J. Hill 13 7 72 10.3 0   5.5
Maurice Moore 6 5 61 12.2 0   10.2
Zach Brown 12 8 47 5.9 0   3.9
Mickey Turner 13 4 46 11.5 0   3.5
Elijah Theus 5 2 17 8.5 1   3.4

Team players selected in the 2009 NFL draft

See also: 2009 NFL draft
Player Position Round Overall selection NFL team
Matt Shaughnessy Defensive end 3 71 Oakland Raiders
DeAndre Levy Linebacker 3 76 Detroit Lions
Kraig Urbik Guard 3 79 Pittsburgh Steelers
Travis Beckum Tight end 3 100 New York Giants

[7]

References

  1. ^ a b "2008 Football Cumulative Statistics". UWBadgers.com. University of Wisconsin. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  2. ^ "2008 Wisconsin Badgers Schedule and Results". SR/College Footbal. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d "Big Ten Announces Five Prime-Time Football Games to Appear on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2 During 2008 Season". Big Ten Conference. April 16, 2008. Archived from the original on April 20, 2008. Retrieved April 16, 2008.
  4. ^ "Game-by-Game Statistics". University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Athletics. Archived from the original on September 9, 2011. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  5. ^ "Two Safeties Highlight Badgers' Comeback Over Rival Gophers". ESPN. November 15, 2008. Archived from the original on November 7, 2014. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  6. ^ "Football Roster". University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Athletics. Archived from the original on November 12, 2006. Retrieved August 12, 2008.
  7. ^ "2009 NFL Draft Listing | Pro-Football-Reference.com". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 19, 2009.
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