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bodes well, of course, for Wisconsin's returning tag-team of James White and Melvin Gordon. Ludwig has also given the rock to 1,000-yard rushers at Utah (Darrell Mack), Oregon (Terrence Whitehead and Onterrio Smith) and Fresno State (Paris Gaines). In fact, the 2001 Fresno State offense was the first in NCAA history to feature a 4,000-yard passer (Carr), a 1,000-yard rusher (Gaines) and two 1,000-yard receivers (Berrian and Rodney Wright). "I like working with the players and I like the creative aspect that my coaching position allows and the competitiveness of it,'' said Ludwig, who has been influenced by a number of mentors. "Al Borges was really the guy that I learned a lot of football from. I played for him my senior year (at Portland State) and he gave me the opportu- nity to coach my first year out of college.'' Borges is the offensive coordinator for Brady Hoke at Michigan. "We've exchanged some text messages,'' said Ludwig, a college wide receiver. "I look forward to our next conversation.'' The Badgers and the Wolverines won't meet in the regular season until 2015. First things first ― evaluating personnel and identifying a starting quarterback. "I'm still going through the film and getting a bead on guys,'' Ludwig said. "There will be some great competition. You'd prefer one guy (winning the job). But you don't always get what you prefer.'' But he knows what he wants to see out of the player who eventually takes over as No. 1, whether it's Curt Phillips, Joel Stave, Danny O'Brien, Bart Houston or someone else. "Repetitive accuracy and athleticism ― those are two physical qualities,'' he said. "Then obviously, individually, you want great mental toughness, leadership ability and coachability.'' Last season, San Diego State reflected balance on offense. The Aztecs, who went 9-4 under coach Rocky Long, averaged 221 rushing yards and 176 passing yards. "I worked for an exceptional man (Long) who's a lot like Gary (Andersen),'' Ludwig said. "He's a defensive coordinator by trade who became a head coach." Utah's Kyle Whittingham also fit that mold. Ludwig was the offensive coordinator and Andersen was the defensive coordinator when the Utes went 13-0 and upended Alabama in the in the 2009 Sugar Bowl. "I've enjoyed great success working for defensive football coaches,'' Ludwig acknowledged On his two years at San Diego State, he said that Long "left a lasting impression just by the demands he places on the players in terms of toughness and work ethic day-in and day-out.'' That will be no different, Ludwig implied, under Andersen at Wisconsin. Moreover, one of the most appealing aspects of taking the UW job ― outside of football considerations ― was the positive recommendations he got 39