Ex-Badgers send videos to motivate current team against Gophers
MADISON, Wis. -- Gary Andersen figured he could talk until he was blue in the face this week about the history and tradition of Wisconsin's annual border rivalry against Minnesota. But having never experienced it himself, the Badgers' first-year coach sought another way to impact his players with a meaningful message.
And so, he asked graduate assistants Luke Swan and Josh Oglesby on Sunday to reach out to those who had lived the football rivalry themselves. What arose from the idea was a series of 30-second video messages from eight former Badgers players, whose central point was to seize the moment and focus on the importance of maintaining control of Paul Bunyan's Axe for a 10th consecutive game. BCS No. 19 Wisconsin (8-2, 5-1 in Big Ten play) travels to face No. 25 Minnesota (8-2, 4-2) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the biggest game between the two programs in years.
The video compilation aired before Wednesday's practice on the Jumbotron inside Camp Randall Stadium.
"You could tell there was a little bit more energy afterwards for sure," Swan said. "I think it was just good for those guys to hear and gain perspective on the other players that came before them. They're going to become part of that legacy and that tradition."
Finding ways to inspire players during Axe week is nothing new at Wisconsin. One year, former coach Bret Bielema had two Badgers strength coaches dress up like Minnesota players in maroon and gold helmets, disrupt practice and steal the Axe, just so the team would understand the feeling of losing the trophy.
The Badgers traditionally have one person with ties to the rivalry give a presentation early in the week to educate younger players. This year, the honor belonged to Henry Mason, who was UW's wide receivers coach from 1995-2007 and now works as director of football player personnel. Wisconsin also is playing highlights from past games in a loop on televisions inside the Badgers' locker room.
Still, Andersen wanted to bring another twist to the rivalry that would hit home for members of this year's team.
The players to participate in the video were former Badgers wide receiver Brandon White (2003-07), wide receiver Brandon Williams (2002-06), tight end Andy Crooks (2004-07), defensive end J.J. Watt (2008-10), defensive back Jay Valai (2006-10), fullback Bradie Ewing (2008-11), offensive lineman Bill Nagy (2006-10) and defensive back Aaron Henry (2007-11). Swan said defensive back Chris Maragos (2007-09) sent in a video Wednesday night that did not arrive in time for the players to see.
"It was a pretty good video," Badgers senior safety Dezmen Southward said. "It actually sent chills down me because of how many guys I know, all the memories I have with those guys. This game is definitely something special. But obviously it's not a great feeling if you don't win it, so we're doing everything we can to win it."
Swan noted the former players' success in winning the Axe resonated with the current team. Only White and Williams were part of Wisconsin teams that lost to Minnesota. The Gophers last beat the Badgers back in 2003, which is also the last year Minnesota recorded at least eight victories in a season.
One of the more serious short speeches belonged to Watt, Swan said. Watt has quickly become the most famous former Badgers player, winning the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year award in his second season with the Houston Texans last year.
"J.J.'s main message was just knowing that you don't have a lot of these opportunities to be in these big rivalry games like this and to really cherish it," Swan said. "Play in the moment. You don't know how many more games you'll have an opportunity to play in. Kind of typical J.J. style. He presented that message, but he did a tremendous job."
Not all of the video presentations were serious in nature, however. Crooks, who lives in the Madison area, took a lighthearted approach and emailed his video in to Oglesby on Wednesday before practice.
"I basically compared Minnesota to kind of like that neighbor kid up the street," Crooks said. "Somebody you know, but he's that neighbor kid that you don't really like. He wasn't invited over to your place. Maybe your parents invited him. Kind of unwelcome, and he comes over and tries to steal your toys. I just said you've got to push them in the leaves, rub some dirt in their face, that sort of thing."
Valai, who shot his message on his phone from Dallas, Texas, said he was honored to be able to offer his perspective to a new crop of Badgers. While Wisconsin has a senior-laden group of 22 players, there are also 27 true freshmen on the roster this season and 19 redshirt freshmen.
"A lot of these young guys don't know how personal the rivalry is between us and Minnesota," Valai said. "I wanted to make them understand how serious it is. It's not just another game on the schedule. It's a personal game. ...
"You want to make sure their fans feel that and, no offense, but their families feel that. Make sure they go home and they're arguing with their girlfriends and they don't have a good Saturday night."
As for offering up a prediction? Valai didn't hesitate.
"Crying," Valai said. "Crying Gophers. I don't know the score, but it's going to be some crying for their team on the sideline."
Follow Jesse Temple on Twitter
