W
"Obviously you try to only worry about one game
at a time," echoed defensive lineman Tyler Dippel, a
fifth-year senior from Slinger, Wis. "But it's always
in your head being this is your last year.
"You realize you could really leave your mark on
the school and that's something this class really
wants to do. We know the importance of it and we
know what we could actually do."
Another fifth-year senior, Ethan Hemer, reaffirmed what Dippel was saying.
"This senior class is focused on leaving our own
legacy ― leaving our own mark," said Hemer, a starting defensive tackle from Medford, "and we hope
that's going to be the end result of this season."
Every team has an identity, just like every journey
has a starting point.
"By not taking a step back, every single year you
want to improve on what you did the year before,"
said tight end Jacob Pedersen, a fifth-year senior
from Menominee, Mich.
"So, for us, that starts with winning the Big Ten,
and that's what we've got to do. I want to win every single game that we play. It doesn't matter if it's
Ohio State or Indiana or Purdue."
UW linebacker Chris Borland, a fifth-year senior
28
//
VARSITY September 19, 2013
DAVID STLUKA
Including Wozniak, Dippel, Hemer and
Pedersen, UW's 23-man senior class is adept
at leading the Badgers through adversity.
NEIL AMENT
DAVID STLUKA
henever tight end Brian Wozniak has
family or friends in town, he likes to show
them the sights. Any such tour includes a
visit to the "Wow Room" on the eighth floor of Camp
Randall Stadium.
Beyond the panoramic view of the playing surface
and seating areas, there's something else special
about the reception area of the Wisconsin football
offices.
"I always take them up to that room," Wozniak
said, "just to see the trophies."
It accounts for the "Wow" factor because there's a
lot of history on display in the room.
"It would be fun," said Wozniak, a fifth-year senior, "to have another trophy up there."
On Saturday, the Badgers will begin their quest
for a 4-peat ― a fourth-consecutive Big Ten championship. The last school to play in four straight Rose
Bowls was Ohio State in the mid-'70s.
"It's been awhile," acknowledged Wozniak, a
Loveland, Ohio, native, "and the fact that we have
the opportunity to do it is great. We haven't lost
sight of that."
Nor do they dwell on it, Wozniak emphasized.
Purdue is the only focal point this week.
