A big win over Michigan (left) and a
crucial tie with Ohio State (center)
helped set the stage for the Badgers'
run to the Roses (right).
In 1991, Holt became the first defensive back in
school history to lead the team in tackles. He had
144. Despite missing a game with an injury, Nelson
was the fifth-leading tackler with 94.
In 1992, Nelson led the defense with four interceptions and was named second-team All-Big Ten.
Holt had 86 tackles and, upon further review, four
years, he felt like it might be time to move on.
"Coach Alvarez called me into his office because
he knew I was contemplating leaving," Holt said. "He
told me that I was an important piece to the puzzle
and 'we couldn't do it without you.'
"I thanked him so much for having that conversation with me. He was absolutely right; I needed to
stick around. If I had missed out on the '93 season
that would have been pretty bad.
"I kind of looked at Coach as a role model and father figure."
Nelson credited Alvarez for establishing a senior
roundtable, an open exchange of ideas. "It gave us
a chance to have some say on what direction we
would take as a team that year," Nelson said.
Few will forget the direction that the Badgers
took after getting upset at Minnesota.
They bounced back to beat Michigan in a game
that will be remembered for the crowd stampede
at Camp Randall Stadium where more than 70 were
injured from the surge in the stands.
The following Saturday, they "settled" for a 14-14
tie on their home turf with Ohio State when Marlon
Kerner blocked Rick Schnetzky's 32-yard field goal
attempt.
"We beat that team and we let one get away from
us," Nelson said. "They were jumping up and down
on the sidelines like they just had just won the Big
Ten title and were going to the Rose Bowl.
"We were ticked off and they were thrilled to be
No. 3 in the country and tying us. I thought that sent
a pretty strong message to our guys."
Holt said that he would never forget beating
Michigan State in Tokyo. "That was an experience of
a lifetime to have an opportunity to play in the Rose
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