Greetings Fellow Badgers! Well, I don't know about you, but I felt that last Saturday's game took a few years off of my life. Just the slightest change in luck, and the Badgers would have lost that one. Yikes! How can you give up 564 offensive yards and still win the game??? But the Badgers did manage to pull off another win against the Michigan State Spartans, 37-34, increasing the Badgers' record to 5-0 and moving them back up to number 5 in both of the polls after some key losses by other higher-ranked teams. Elijah Hodge has won praise for his tough play at the end of the game. Playing with a bruised knee that had him on crutches after the game, Hodge stymied MSU's Javon Ringer on a fourth down play. The MSU quarterback tried to hit Ringer with a quick pass, but Ringer never had a chance to make a play, thanks to Hodge. Hodge had been beaten by Ringer for a 23-yard completion earlier in the quarter, which set up a MSU touchdown. Kyle Jefferson must have shared Hodge's toughen-up pills, based on a nasty helmet-to-helmet hit he took late in the first half. Everyone's breath caught as he flew through the air and then sat motionless on the ground afterwards. And a big sigh of relief was heard when he bounded up and left the field on his own accord. While he didn't play in the second half, there's been no word of any long-lasting injury as a result of that play. In a disturbing acknowledgement of the play by MSU, the MSU player who made the hit was later given the team's award for the biggest hit of the game. According to the Wisconsin State Journal, when Jefferson was asked if the Spartans seemed to be rewarding head-hunting, Jefferson showed great diplomacy, responding "That's his award. My award was us getting a victory. He didn't get that award." Other key players contributed to the win. P.J. Hill was awarded Big Ten Co-offensive Player of the Week honors, with 34 rushes for 155 yards and two touchdowns, breaking the 100-yard mark for the fourth consecutive game this season and for the 12th time in 18 games at UW. Donovan completed 10 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown to tight end Travis Beckum; reserve tailback Lance Smith added 54 yards in just six carries; and Taylor Mehlhaff drilled field goals of 35, 47 and 22 yards. By the way, if you were confused when MSU got flagged for defensive holding on a third-and-goal play late in the fourth quarter but Wisconsin was not awarded a first down, here's the explanation why. The college rule states that the quarterback must throw the ball to get an automatic first down. Of course, Bret Bielema wasn't slow in pointing out that the reason the Badgers had to run was because the receiver was held, taking away the pass play. This Saturday the Badgers take on the Illini, the first of two consecutive away games. The Illini are playing well this year, taking care of Penn State and their numerous turnovers this past Saturday, and are actually favored over the Badgers by 2.5 points. In the polls, the Illini have received votes but are unranked. The game begins at 12:02 pm EDT and will be shown on ESPN. But why not join us at Rookies to watch the game? Directions are provided below. I'm also sending out a special invitation to an Illinois fan that I met at Chicago Sam's in Enfield a few weeks ago... if you join us, we promise to be friendly foes! And if you need something to get you in the Badger spirit for this away game, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBeZeBXUhYg&mode=related&search. It's a bit grainy but captures much of the fun of gameday... On Wisconsin! Jean Oliva Secretary, UW Alumni Club of CT and Western MA DIRECTIONS TO ROOKIES: From Stamford, and New Haven: I-95 north to I-91 north to exit 22 South, onto Route 9 south. Go ½ mile to exit 19 (West Street) Turn right off of exit ramp, turn right at next light (25 feet) onto Shunpike Road. Go 100 feet and turn left into K-Mart Plaza. Rookies is located near the left corner of the mall as you face it. From Waterbury, Southington, Meriden: I-84 east to 691 east to I-91 north to exit 22S onto Route 9 south. Then follow directions from New Haven as listed above. From New London, Old Saybrook, and Middletown: Route 9 north to exit 19 (West Street) Turn left off of exit ramp. Go to second traffic light (150 feet) and turn right onto Shunpike Road. Go 100 feet and turn left into the K-Mart Plaza. Rookies is located near the left corner of the mall as you face it. From New Britain: Route 9 south to exit 19 (West Street). Then follow directions from New Haven as listed above. From Springfield, and Hartford: I-91 south to exit 22S (Route 9). This exit is on the left-hand side of the highway. Go ¾ of a mile to exit 19 (West Street) Turn right off the exit ramp and follow directions from Edit | 
