1998 Wisconsin Badgers football team
Encyclopedia
The 1998 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin in the 1998 NCAA Division I-A football season
.
and Michigan
) for the first time since 1993
. They were awarded the berth in the 1999 Rose Bowl
due to Big Ten Conference
tie-breaking rules, at the time, which gave the Rose Bowl
invitation to the tied team which had gone the longest period of time without an invitation: Michigan had been in the 1998 Rose Bowl
, Ohio State had been in the 1997 Rose Bowl
, while Wisconsin's last Rose Bowl was 1994
.
The circumstances of this selection, the fact that Ohio State was the higher-ranked team (Ohio State was the pre-season #1 and spent most of the season with this ranking: Wisconsin did not play Ohio State or Michigan State that year, so Ohio State had the better record versus common opponents due to the Michigan loss), combined with the fact that the opponent was ranked #2 and headed to the national title game before a season-ending loss, led to ridicule in the national media: most notably, Craig James' declaration that Wisconsin was "the worst team to ever play in the Rose Bowl." Wisconsin went on to defeat #6 UCLA 38–31 in the 1999 Rose Bowl. Afterward, Badger coach Barry Alvarez
fired back, "Well, I know we're at least the second worst."
Team players selected in the 1999 NFL Draft
1998 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1998 NCAA Division I-A football season was the first of the Bowl Championship Series, which saw Tennessee win the national championship, one year after star quarterback Peyton Manning left for the NFL...
.
Season
Wisconsin finished the regular season 10-1 overall (7-1 conference) and were co-champions of the Big Ten Conference (with Ohio State1998 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 1998 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 1998-1999. The team's head football coach was John Cooper. The Buckeyes played their home games in Ohio Stadium. The team finished the season with a win-loss record of 11 and 1, and...
and Michigan
1998 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1998 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1998 college football season. The team's head coach was Lloyd Carr. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium. The 1998 Wolverines finished the season with a 10–3 record and defeated the...
) for the first time since 1993
1993 Wisconsin Badgers football team
The 1993 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin in the 1993 NCAA Division I-A football season.-Season:Over the course of the season, Wisconsin was the top team in the Big Ten in terms of passing efficiency, with QB Darrell Bevell recording an impressive 155.2 in...
. They were awarded the berth in the 1999 Rose Bowl
1999 Rose Bowl
The 1999 Rose Bowl was the 85th Rose Bowl game and was played on Friday January 1, 1999 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. It was a college football bowl game at the end of the 1998 college football season. Wisconsin defeated by a score of 38-31. Ron Dayne of Wisconsin was named...
due to Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
tie-breaking rules, at the time, which gave the Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
invitation to the tied team which had gone the longest period of time without an invitation: Michigan had been in the 1998 Rose Bowl
1998 Rose Bowl
The 1998 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 1998 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. It was the 84th Rose Bowl Game. The game featured Michigan beating Washington State by a score of 21–16. The ending of the game is controversial...
, Ohio State had been in the 1997 Rose Bowl
1997 Rose Bowl
The 1997 Rose Bowl Game was a postseason college football bowl game between the Arizona State Sun Devils of the Pacific-10 Conference and the Ohio State Buckeyes of the Big Ten Conference, held on New Year’s Day in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The game resulted in a dramatic 20–17...
, while Wisconsin's last Rose Bowl was 1994
1994 Rose Bowl
The 1994 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 1994. It was the 80th Rose Bowl Game. The Wisconsin Badgers defeated the 21-16...
.
The circumstances of this selection, the fact that Ohio State was the higher-ranked team (Ohio State was the pre-season #1 and spent most of the season with this ranking: Wisconsin did not play Ohio State or Michigan State that year, so Ohio State had the better record versus common opponents due to the Michigan loss), combined with the fact that the opponent was ranked #2 and headed to the national title game before a season-ending loss, led to ridicule in the national media: most notably, Craig James' declaration that Wisconsin was "the worst team to ever play in the Rose Bowl." Wisconsin went on to defeat #6 UCLA 38–31 in the 1999 Rose Bowl. Afterward, Badger coach Barry Alvarez
Barry Alvarez
Barry Alvarez is a former American football player and coach and currently the Director of Athletics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He served as the head football coach at Wisconsin for 16 seasons from 1990 to 2005, compiling a career college football record of 118–73–4...
fired back, "Well, I know we're at least the second worst."
Individual awards and honors
- Tom BurkeTom Burke (American football)Thomas Burke is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wisconsin and holds the team record for most sacks in a season with 22....
: All-America1998 College Football All-America TeamThe 1998 College Football All-America Team is composed of the following All-American Teams: Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp Foundation, The Sporting News and Football News....
(unanimous consensus), Bill Willis Trophy, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, All-Big Ten (First Team, coaches & media) - Aaron GibsonAaron GibsonAaron Gibson is a professional American football offensive tackle. He holds the record for heaviest NFL player ever, at 410 lbs, weighing over 440 lbs in high school.-High school career:...
: All-America (consensus), All-Big Ten (First Team, media; Second Team, coaches) - Ron DayneRon DayneRon Dayne is a former American football running back who is currently a free agent. He holds the NCAA record for career rushing yards, and he won the 1999 Heisman Trophy.-Early life:...
: All-America (WCFFWalter Camp Football FoundationThe Walter Camp Football Foundation is one of the organizations whose College Football All-America Team is recognized by the NCAA. The organization also presents various awards.-Awards:*Walter Camp Player of the Year*CT Player of the Year...
), 1999 Rose Bowl player of the Game, All-Big Ten (First Team, coaches & media) - Matt Davenport: All-Big Ten (First Team, coaches & media)
- Kevin StemkeKevin StemkeKevin Stemke is a former professional American football punter.Stemke was born in 1978 to Horst Stemke, a U.S. Olympic soccer player. He graduated from Green Bay's Preble High School in 1997, where he played quarterback, and went on to play for the University of Wisconsin Badgers...
: All-Big Ten (First Team, coaches & media) - Jamar FletcherJamar FletcherJamar Mondell Fletcher is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent and lives in south Florida. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins 26th overall in the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wisconsin...
: All-Big Ten (First Team, media; Second Team, coaches) - Casey RabachCasey RabachCasey Edward Rabach is an American football center who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
: All-Big Ten (Second Team, coaches & media) - Chris McIntoshChris McIntoshChris McIntosh is a former offensive tackle in the NFL. McIntosh was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.-College:...
:All-Big Ten (Second Team, coaches) - Barry AlvarezBarry AlvarezBarry Alvarez is a former American football player and coach and currently the Director of Athletics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He served as the head football coach at Wisconsin for 16 seasons from 1990 to 2005, compiling a career college football record of 118–73–4...
: Big Ten Coach of the Year
Schedule and results
Regular starters
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Quarterback | Mike Samuel |
| Running Back | Ron Dayne Ron Dayne Ron Dayne is a former American football running back who is currently a free agent. He holds the NCAA record for career rushing yards, and he won the 1999 Heisman Trophy.-Early life:... |
| Fullback | Cecil Martin Cecil Martin Danyel Cecil Martin is a former American football Full back in the National Football League. He attended Evanston Township High School and played college football at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles... |
| Wide Receiver | Chris Chambers Chris Chambers Christopher J. "Chris" Chambers is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft... |
| Wide Receiver | Ahmad Merritt Ahmad Merritt Ahmad Rashad Merritt is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2000... |
| Tight End | Dague Retzlaff/Eric Grams |
| Left Tackle | Chris McIntosh Chris McIntosh Chris McIntosh is a former offensive tackle in the NFL. McIntosh was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.-College:... |
| Left Guard | Bill Ferrario Bill Ferrario William James Ferrario is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League primarily with the Green Bay Packers.-Early years:Ferrario graduated from West Scranton High School... |
| Center | Casey Rabach Casey Rabach Casey Edward Rabach is an American football center who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft... |
| Right Guard | Dave Costa |
| Right Tackle | Aaron Gibson Aaron Gibson Aaron Gibson is a professional American football offensive tackle. He holds the record for heaviest NFL player ever, at 410 lbs, weighing over 440 lbs in high school.-High school career:... |
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Defensive End | Tom Burke Tom Burke (American football) Thomas Burke is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wisconsin and holds the team record for most sacks in a season with 22.... |
| Defensive Tackle | Ross Kolodziej Ross Kolodziej Ross Anthony Kolodziej is an American football defensive tackle for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the seventh round of the 2001 NFL Draft... |
| Nose Guard | Eric Mahlik |
| Defensive End | John Favret |
| Outside Linebacker | Bob Adamov |
| Inside Linebacker | Donnel Thompson Donnel Thompson Donnel A. Thompson is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts . He played collegiate level at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.-References:... |
| Outside Linebacker | Chris Ghidorzi |
| Cornerback | Mike Echols Mike Echols (American football) Michael Kitome Echols is a former American football cornerback who played in both the National Football League and the Canadian Football League . He was selected in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans. He played collegiately for the University of Wisconsin–Madison.At... |
| Free Safety | Jason Doering Jason Doering Jason James Doering is a former American football defensive back in the National Football League for the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins. He played college football at the University of Wisconsin and was drafted in the sixth round of the 2001 NFL Draft.... |
| Strong Safety | Leonard Taylor |
| Cornerback | Jamar Fletcher Jamar Fletcher Jamar Mondell Fletcher is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent and lives in south Florida. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins 26th overall in the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wisconsin... |
Team players selected in the 1999 NFL Draft1999 NFL DraftThe 1999 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 17-18, 1999...
| Player | Position | Round | Pick | NFL Club |
| Aaron Gibson Aaron Gibson Aaron Gibson is a professional American football offensive tackle. He holds the record for heaviest NFL player ever, at 410 lbs, weighing over 440 lbs in high school.-High school career:... |
Tackle | 1 | 27 | Detroit Lions Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and... |
| Tom Burke Tom Burke (American football) Thomas Burke is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wisconsin and holds the team record for most sacks in a season with 22.... |
Linebacker | 3 | 83 | Arizona Cardinals Arizona Cardinals The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Cecil Martin Cecil Martin Danyel Cecil Martin is a former American football Full back in the National Football League. He attended Evanston Township High School and played college football at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles... |
Fullback | 6 | 172 | Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |