Badgers prep for limelight

It stood to reason that the Wisconsin Badgers football team would be disappointed when Northwestern, not Wisconsin, was given a bid to play in the Outback Bowl on New Year's Day.

But two players with local connections have moved on just fine.

"I was almost positive we were going to the Outback based on everything I heard," said Waukesha native Kevin Zeitler, who has started all 12 games this year at right guard. "It's a better situation for us this way, going against a ranked team now.

"And they give out pretty good gifts," he added with a laugh. "So that's nice."

Both Zeitler and Catholic Memorial graduate Patrick Butrym have been to Orlando for the Champs Sports Bowl before, when the program fell to Florida State in last year's season finale. The No. 25 Badgers have an intriguing battle set for Dec. 29 against No. 15 Miami, a storied program out of the Athletic Coast Conference.

"We were definitely disappointed at first, but we're beyond that," said Butrym, one of the team's defensive linemen. "Miami probably excited us more than the Outback Bowl. Orlando is a fun city, and it's not necessarily the bowl you're playing in but the opponent you're playing. It's good national exposure for us. If we can win that game, that's going to really pump us up for next year."

A season of growing

The pair of sophomores (Butrym redshirted his first year) have seen their roles increase from a year ago. Butrym made his first career start at the beginning of the season and has notched a career-best four tackles in a game on three occasions. In one particularly strong performance against Minnesota, the New Berlin native recorded his first-ever sack and interception.

"It was an emotional game, Badgers against the Gophers," he said. "There were stats in that game I came out with, but I definitely owe that to a lot of other guys. The linebackers were doing a good job and forcing some plays our way … it works both ways. We compliment each other well."

Zeitler, a graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran, did not allow a sack until the 11th game of the season.

"I've definitely gotten better at everything compared to last year," he said. "My pass blocking improved over the winter and summer - I worked really hard on that. Not giving up a sack was pretty sweet, especially because the biggest thing I worked on was pass blocking before the season started."

Zeitler and his fellow offensive linemen can also hang their hat on the performance of running back John Clay, who netted the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honor.

"John's a great guy, and he definitely deserved it," Zeitler said. "As long as he mentions us as the press conference, we'll keep blocking for him."

Injuries wreaked havoc along the line all season, forcing several shifts of position and making Clay's accomplishment all the more impressive.

"The coach makes sure everyone on first string or second string or third string really knows what the heck we're doing," said Zeitler, who was one of many Badgers even practicing limited snaps at center. "If worse comes to worse, I could be the fifth or sixth string center. I'll play wherever they need me."

The roots

Butrym had a chance to watch Catholic Memorial play this season in the regular-season finale against Arrowhead. The Crusaders went on a playoff run thereafter and fell a heartbreaking late touchdown short of the state-title game. Reedsburg - which scored with virtually no time left to oust CMH in the Level 4 contest - went on to win the state crown.

"We were playing in the biggest conference in the state, and we were a Division 3 school," Butrym said. "The one thing about Memorial that prepared me for college was mental and physical toughness, I think that's why I fit in so well here. Football is tough, practice here is tough, and Wisconsin has a bunch of tough kids that play hard. I really owe it to coach (Bill) Young and Memorial and especially my parents for making me a tough football player. (Young) definitely took the next step in making me a better person, as well."

Both look forward to what's ahead.

"There's definitely room for improvement, and I look forward to getting into the offseason and making that improvement," Butrym said.

Champs Bowl

WHO: No. 15 Miami (9-3) vs. No. 25 Wisconsin (9-3)

WHEN: 7 p.m. Central, Tuesday, Dec. 29

WHERE: Orlando, Fla.

ON TV: ESPN

NOTES: Last year, Wisconsin played in the same bowl game and fell to Florida State, 42-13. … Miami finished third in the Coastal Division of the ACC, behind Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech. … Wisconsin running back John Clay was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. … Four Miami players earned first team all-conference, led by offensive tackle Jason Fox.