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Wisconsin got its last feel of AT&T Stadium in anticipation of its Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic clash with a brief walk-through late Sunday afternoon.
“It’s one more day of preparation,” said head coach Paul Chryst. “Guys were able to run through the game plan and make sure they are sharp on some things. You’re always teaching, you’re always coaching so (this was) one more day of preparation.”
With weeks of practice in the books, the Badgers (10-3, 7-2 Big Ten) and the No. 15 Western Michigan Broncos (13-0, 9-0 Mid-American) are ready to take center stage on Monday as a part of a trio of New Year’s Six bowl matchups. The last time Wisconsin and Western Michigan met, Chryst was on the sideline – as a senior quarterback for UW. The Broncos came away in that 2000 meeting at Camp Randall with a 19-7 upset of the then-fourth ranked Badgers.
Memories of that game have faded with the former signal caller now leading his alma mater for a second season. For tomorrow’s matchup, Chryst wants to make sure this team relishes the opportunity to make some memories of their own.
“We have a chance to play in the Cotton Bowl, and we know how good of a team Western Michigan is,” said Chryst. “We’re taking the approach we take into every game. There are things you have to do to have the best chance to win. This team, I’m proud of what we have done. This is the last time this team will play together and we want that to be our best game.”
For the walk-through, Wisconsin continued its long-standing traditions of players swapping jerseys for the final practice of the season and then closed with the seniors being carried off the field by their teammates. Tonight, the team will enjoy a quiet final night in North Texas at their headquarters hotel.
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.
