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WISCONSIN PUTS FINAL TOUCHES ON PREP FOR CLASSIC
After a day away from the practice field, Wisconsin got back to business for its matchup with the No. 15 Western Michigan Broncos in the 81st Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
The Badgers (10-3, 7-2 Big Ten) went through their final full workout at AT&T Stadium with a 90-minute workout, thoroughly going through the final touches of their preparation in helmets and shorts. Head coach Paul Chryst said he was pleased with how his squad responded from taking the much-needed respite.
“I liked the way they came out,” said Chryst. “They came with good energy and good focus.”
A keen focus is going to be key for UW to come out victorious on Monday and earn its 81st win since the start of the 2009 season. The Badgers are just one of seven Power 5 programs to average 10 wins over the last eight seasons.
Chryst said a big part of having success is mental preparation, as well as physical preparation, especially when it will be 30 days between games.
“There’s no doubt that we haven’t played in a while,” said Chryst. “There’s going to be some of that transition that’s only going to happen on the field. But I think you can mentally put yourself in that frame of mind and a chance to use some of that free time to look at a little more film. I think it’s just mentally changing gears from enjoying the bowl experience to getting ready to play a game.”
Following practice, Wisconsin participated in its media day session then returned to its headquarters hotel where the team will ring in the New Year. Tomorrow, the Badgers are scheduled to conduct a short, afternoon walk-through at AT&T Stadium. The walk-through is closed to the media and public.
The Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic celebrates its 81st anniversary on Monday, January 2. Airtime on ESPN is set for noon CST, with kickoff slated for 12:01 p.m.
This marks the third consecutive year for the Goodyear Cotton Bowl to be a part of the ESPN bowl lineup. Bob Wischusen and Brock Huard will provide the call from the booth with Allison Williams reporting from the sideline.
ESPN Radio returns as the Classic's national radio partner for the fifth consecutive year. Brad Sham, the "Voice of the Dallas Cowboys," teams with Rod Gilmore in the booth and Quint Kessenich on the sideline to describe all the action from AT&T Stadium. This is Sham's 20th consecutive year as the Classic's play-by-play voice and his 24th overall.
