2003 Wisconsin Badgers football team

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2003 Wisconsin Badgers football
Music City Bowl, L 14–28 vs. Auburn
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Record7–6 (4–4 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorBrian White (5th as OC; 9th overall season)
Defensive coordinatorKevin Cosgrove (9th as DC; 14th overall season)
Base defense4–3
MVPLee Evans
Captains
Home stadiumCamp Randall Stadium
Seasons
← 2002
2004 →
2003 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 6 Michigan $   7 1     10 3  
No. 4 Ohio State %   6 2     11 2  
No. 18 Purdue   6 2     9 4  
No. 8 Iowa   5 3     10 3  
No. 20 Minnesota   5 3     10 3  
Michigan State   5 3     8 5  
Wisconsin   4 4     7 6  
Northwestern   4 4     6 7  
Penn State   1 7     3 9  
Indiana   1 7     2 10  
Illinois   0 8     1 11  
  • % – BCS at-large representative
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from
AP Poll

The 2003 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison during the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by Barry Alvarez, the Badgers completed the season with a 7–6 record, including a 4–4 mark in the Big Ten Conference, finishing in a tie for 7th in the Big Ten.

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 3011:00 a.m.at
Mountaineer Field
  • Morgantown, WV
  • ESPNW 24–1760,663
    September 62:30 p.m.Akron*No. 18ESPN+W 48–3175,401
    September 1311:00 a.m.UNLV*No. 14
    • Camp Randall Stadium
    • Madison, WI
    ESPN2L 5–2378,043
    September 2011:00 a.m.North Carolina*
    • Camp Randall Stadium
    • Madison, WI
    ESPNW 38–2777,439
    September 275:00 p.m.at
    Memorial Stadium
  • Champaign, IL
  • ESPN2W 38–2058,495
    October 411:00 a.m.at
    University Park, PA
    ESPNW 30–23107,851
    October 118:00 p.m.No. 3 Ohio StateNo. 23
    • Camp Randall Stadium
    • Madison, WI
    ESPNW 17–1079,793
    October 1811:00 a.m.No. 13 PurduedaggerNo. 14
    ESPNL 23–2679,541
    October 2511:00 a.m.at NorthwesternNo. 20ESPN2L 7–1636,233
    November 811:00 a.m.at No. 24 MinnesotaESPNL 34–3759,543
    November 1511:00 a.m.No. 21 Michigan State
    • Camp Randall Stadium
    • Madison, WI
    ESPN2W 56–2179,256
    November 222:30 p.m.No. 17
    ABC
    L 21–2779,931
    December 3111:00 a.m.vs. Auburn*ESPNL 14–2855,109
    • *Non-conference game
    • daggerHomecoming
    • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
    • All times are in Central time

    [1]

    Season summary

    Wisconsin entered the 2003 season ranked, after an 8–6 campaign the year before. The Badgers defeated West Virginia and Akron to open the season, but then were shocked by perennially underachieving UNLV at home, 23–5. The stunning upset knocked the Badgers (then ranked 14th) out of the polls entirely, and they would not return until after wins in their first two Big Ten games, against Illinois and Penn State (teams that would combine for a 1–15 Big Ten record). With defending National Champion Ohio State coming to town on a 19-game winning streak, the Badgers put together a solid game, and ended the Buckeyes' winning streak in a 17–10 upset.

    At 3–0 in the Big Ten and having defeated Ohio State, the Badgers were looking to put together a run at a Big Ten title. Unfortunately for the Badgers, Kyle Orton and the Purdue Boilermakers ended Wisconsin's undefeated Big Ten campaign with a 26–23 win in Camp Randall. The next week in Evanston, the 20th ranked Badgers lost 16–7 to Northwestern.

    With

    Paul Bunyan's Axe on the line against Minnesota, the Badgers were unable to avoid giving up another late drive, and Minnesota beat the Badgers in Minneapolis for the 2nd time in a row, 37–34. Disheartened but not yet finished, the Badgers dealt a massive blow to Michigan State (which was riding a losing streak of its own) as they routed the Spartans, 56–21. It was their second straight win over MSU. WR Lee Evans caught 10 passes for 258 yards and 5 touchdowns[2]
    in the game.

    Against Iowa the next week, the Badgers took a 21–7 lead, which they proved unable to hold. Iowa defeated Wisconsin 27–21, a devastating loss on Senior Day that left the Badgers tied for 7th in the Big Ten. The Badgers accepted an invitation to the 2003 Music City Bowl against Auburn, a team ranked 6th in the nation in the preseason. The Badgers lost 28–14, closing out their 3rd season in a row with 6 or more losses.

    FS Jim Leonhard caught 7 interceptions on defense for Wisconsin, leading the Badgers and the Big Ten. However, Wisconsin's defense gave up late scoring drives against Purdue, Minnesota, and Iowa, all games the Badgers lost.

    Roster

    2003 Wisconsin Badgers football team roster
    Players Coaches
    Offense
    Pos. # Name Class
    G 58 Kalvin Barrett  Jr
    TE 88 Mark Bell  Jr
    FB 45 Matt Bernstein  So
    WR 1 Byron Brown  Sr
    G 67 Dan Buenning  Jr
    WR 87 Darrin Charles Jr
    G 50 Jonathan Clinkscale  Jr
    WR 11 Owen Daniels  So
    RB 28 Anthony Davis  Jr
    OT 75 Morgan Davis  Jr
    WR 3 Lee Evans (C)  Sr
    WR 26 Zach Hampton  Fr
    WR 13 Travann Hayes  Jr
    WR 29 Paul Hubbard Fr
    G 76 Matt Lawrence  So
    OT 61 Mike Lorenz  Jr
    WR 7 Ernest Mason  Fr
    OT 68 Fred Nieforth  Sr
    TE 84 Jason Pociask  So
    WR 9 Jonathan Orr  So
    TE 85 Tony Paciotti  Jr
    C 52 Jason Palermo  So
    RB 20 Jerrone Pettus  Jr
    TE 84 Jason Pociask  So
    C 53 Donovan Raiola  So
    FB 37 Greg Root  So
    QB 16 Matt Schabert  Jr
    RB 30 Dwayne Smith  So
    QB 19 Jim Sorgi (C)  Sr
    RB 32 Booker Stanley  Fr
    QB 2 John Stocco  Fr
    WR 15 Luke Swan Fr
    OT 72 Joe Thomas Fr
    WR 8 Brandon White So
    WR 25 Brandon Williams So
    OT 78 Jake Wood  So
    Defense
    Pos. # Name Class
    S 7 Ryan Aiello Sr
    CB 6 Brett Bell Injured Jr
    S 42 Robert Brooks Jr
    LB 10 Chris Catalano  Jr
    LB 56 Jason Clemens  Sr
    DT 97 Nick Cochart  Sr
    CB 4 Chuckie Cowans  Jr
    S 44 Patrick Ellestad  Jr
    DT 73 Matt Gajda  Sr
    LB 47 Elliot Goode So
    DT 77 Anttaj Hawthorne Jr
    DE 90 Erasmus James Sr
    DT 74 Jason Jefferson  Jr
    DE 98 Darius Jones  Jr
    S 18 Jim Leonhard (C) Jr
    LB 12 Alex Lewis Sr
    DE 91 Traison Lewis  Jr
    LB 46 Jeff Mark (C)  Sr
    LB 43 Kyle McCorison  Sr
    DE 95 Joe Monty  Fr
    DB 22 Roderick Rogers Fr
    CB 21 Levonne Rowan So
    S 14 Dontez Sanders  So
    CB 2 Scott Starks Jr
    S 16 Joe Stellmacher  Fr
    LB 34 Kareem Timbers  Jr
    LB 24 LaMarr Watkins So
    DE 92 Jonathan Welsh  Jr
    LB 41 Mark Zalewski  Fr
    Special teams
    Pos. # Name Class
    K 99 Mike Allen Jr
    K 29 Scott Campbell Sr
    P
    94 Ken DeBauche Fr
    LS 86 Matt Katula  Jr
    P
    31 R. J. Morse Jr
    Head coach
    Coordinators/assistant coaches
    • Brian White – Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs
    • Kevin Cosgrove – Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers
    • Jeff HortonQuarterbacks
    • Jim Hueber – Offensive Line and Run Game Coordinator
    • Rob IanelloTight Ends
    • Ron Lee – Defensive Backs
    • Henry Mason – Wide Receivers
    • Brian Murphy – Outside Linebackers/Special Teams
    • John PalermoAssistant Head Coach/Defensive Line

    Legend
    • (C) Team captain
    • (S) Suspended
    • (I) Ineligible
    • Injured Injured
    • Redshirt Redshirt

    Roster

    West Virginia

    Wisconsin vs West Virginia – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    No. 21 Badgers 7 0 31424
    Mountaineers 10 0 7017

    at Milan Puskar Stadium

    • Date: August 30, 2003
    • Game time: 11:00 a.m.
    • Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C); Overcast; Wind at SW 10 MPH
    • Game attendance: 60,663
    • Referee: John Carson
    • TV announcers (ESPN): Mark Jones (Play-by-play), Bob Davie (Color) & Holly Rowe (Sideline)
    • [1]
    Game information

    Akron

    Akron vs Wisconsin – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Zips 3 7 14731
    No. 18 Badgers 17 14 31448

    at Camp Randall Stadium

    • Date: September 6, 2003
    • Game time: 2:30 p.m.
    • Game weather: 83 °F (28 °C); Clear; Wind at SW 10 MPH
    • Game attendance: 75,401
    • Referee: Steve Newman
    • TV: ESPN+
    • [2]
    Game information

    UNLV

    UNLV vs Wisconsin – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Rebels 10 6 7023
    No. 14 Badgers 0 5 005

    at Camp Randall Stadium

    • Date: September 13, 2003
    • Game time: 11:00 a.m.
    • Game weather: 69 °F (21 °C); Light rain; Wind at S 9 MPH
    • Game attendance: 78,043
    • Referee: Dave Witvoet
    • TV: ESPN2
    • [3]
    Game information

    North Carolina

    North Carolina vs Wisconsin – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Tar Heels 7 10 3727
    Badgers 14 7 71038

    at Camp Randall Stadium

    • Date: September 20, 2003
    • Game time: 11:00 a.m.
    • Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C); Clear; Wind at SE 6 MPH
    • Game attendance: 77,439
    • Referee: Jack Childress
    • TV: ESPN
    • [4]
    Game information

    Illinois

    Wisconsin vs Illinois – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Badgers 14 7 71038
    Fighting Illini 0 10 10020

    at

    Memorial Stadium

    • Date: September 27, 2003
    • Game time: 5:00 p.m.
    • Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C); Partly Cloudy; Wind at W 15 MPH
    • Game attendance: 58,495
    • Referee: Richard Honig
    • TV: ESPN
    • [5]
    Game information

    Penn State

    Wisconsin vs Penn State – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Badgers 7 10 6730
    Nittany Lions 3 6 7723

    at Beaver Stadium

    • Date: October 4, 2003
    • Game time: 11:00 a.m.
    • Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C); Rainy; Wind at SW 10-20 MPH
    • Game attendance: 107,851
    • Referee: D. Lipski
    • TV: ESPN
    • [6]
    Game information

    #3 Ohio State

    Ohio State vs Wisconsin – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    No. 3 Buckeyes 0 3 0710
    No. 23 Badgers 0 7 3717

    at Camp Randall Stadium

    • Date: October 11, 2003
    • Game time: 8:00 p.m.
    • Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C); Light Rain; Wind at S 15 MPH
    • Game attendance: 79,793
    • Referee: Dave Witvoet
    • TV announcers (ESPN): Ron Franklin (Play-by-play), Mike Gottfried (Color) & Adrian Karsten (Sideline)
    • [7]
    Game information

    #13 Purdue

    Purdue vs Wisconsin – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    No. 13 Boilermakers 14 3 3626
    No. 14 Badgers 7 6 01023

    at Camp Randall Stadium

    • Date: October 18, 2003
    • Game time: 11:00 a.m.
    • Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C); Clear; Wind at W 5-10 MPH
    • Game attendance: 79,541
    • Referee: Steve Newman
    • TV: ESPN
    • [8]
    Game information

    Northwestern

    Wisconsin vs Northwestern – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    No. 20 Badgers 0 7 007
    Wildcats 6 3 7016

    at Ryan Field

    • Date: October 25, 2003
    • Game time: 11:00 a.m.
    • Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C); Cloudy; Wind at W 6 MPH
    • Game attendance: 36,233
    • Referee: Richard Honig
    • TV: ESPN2
    • [9]
    Game information

    Minnesota

    Wisconsin vs Minnesota – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Badgers 3 10 14734
    No. 24 Golden Gophers 10 14 31037

    at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome

    • Date: November 8, 2003
    • Game time: 11:00 a.m.
    • Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C); Dome
    • Game attendance: 59,543
    • Referee: Bill LeMonnier
    • TV: ESPN
    • [10]
    Game information

    #21 Michigan State

    Michigan State vs Wisconsin – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    No. 21 Spartans 0 7 7721
    Badgers 14 14 21756

    at Camp Randall Stadium

    • Date: November 15, 2003
    • Game time: 11:00 a.m.
    • Game weather: 40 °F (4 °C); Dome
    • Game attendance: 79,256
    • Referee: Stave Pamon
    • TV announcers (ESPN): Pam Ward (Play-by-play) & Chris Spielman (Color)
    • [11]
    Game information

    #17 Iowa

    Iowa vs Wisconsin – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    No. 17 Hawkeyes 7 10 7327
    Badgers 14 7 0021

    at Camp Randall Stadium

    • Date: November 22, 2003
    • Game time: 2:30 p.m.
    • Game weather: 38 °F (3 °C); Drizzle; Wind at NE 13 MPH
    • Game attendance: 79,931
    • Referee: Dennis Lipski
    • TV announcers (
      ABC): Tim Brant (Play-by-play) & Ed Cunningham (Color)
    • [12]
    Game information

    Auburn

    Wisconsin vs Auburn – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Badgers 0 6 0814
    Tigers 0 7 71428

    at The Coliseum

    • Date: December 31, 2003
    • Game time: 11:00 a.m.
    • Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C); Mostly sunny; Wind at Var. 7 MPH
    • Game attendance: 55,109
    • Referee: Jack Childress
    • TV: ESPN
    • [13]
    Game information

    Regular starters

    Players selected in the 2004 NFL Draft

    Player Position Round Overall Selection NFL Team
    Lee Evans Wide Receiver 1 13 Buffalo Bills
    Alex Lewis Linebacker 5 140 Detroit Lions
    Jim Sorgi Quarterback 6 193 Indianapolis Colts

    [3]

    References

    1. ^ "2003 Wisconsin Football". University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Athletics. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
    2. ^ "Individual Game-by-Game Summaries". University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Athletics. Archived from the original on December 22, 2014. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
    3. ^ "2004 NFL Draft". Pro-Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 23, 2007. Retrieved December 22, 2014.