2003 Wisconsin Badgers football team

The 2003 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison during the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by Barry Alvarez, the Badgers completed the season with a 7–6 record, including a 4–4 mark in the Big Ten Conference, finishing in a tie for 7th in the Big Ten.

2003 Wisconsin Badgers football
Music City Bowl, L 14–28 vs. Auburn
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Record7–6 (4–4 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorBrian White (5th as OC; 9th overall season)
Defensive coordinatorKevin Cosgrove (9th as DC; 14th overall season)
Base defense4–3
MVPLee Evans
Captains
Home stadiumCamp Randall Stadium
Seasons
← 2002
2004 →
2003 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 6 Michigan $   7 1     10 3  
No. 4 Ohio State %   6 2     11 2  
No. 18 Purdue   6 2     9 4  
No. 8 Iowa   5 3     10 3  
No. 20 Minnesota   5 3     10 3  
Michigan State   5 3     8 5  
Wisconsin   4 4     7 6  
Northwestern   4 4     6 7  
Penn State   1 7     3 9  
Indiana   1 7     2 10  
Illinois   0 8     1 11  
  • % – BCS at-large representative
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

Schedule

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DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 3011:00 a.m.at West Virginia*No. 21ESPNW 24–1760,663
September 62:30 p.m.Akron*No. 18ESPN+W 48–3175,401
September 1311:00 a.m.UNLV*No. 14
  • Camp Randall Stadium
  • Madison, WI
ESPN2L 5–2378,043
September 2011:00 a.m.North Carolina*
  • Camp Randall Stadium
  • Madison, WI
ESPNW 38–2777,439
September 275:00 p.m.at IllinoisESPN2W 38–2058,495
October 411:00 a.m.at Penn StateESPNW 30–23107,851
October 118:00 p.m.No. 3 Ohio StateNo. 23
  • Camp Randall Stadium
  • Madison, WI
ESPNW 17–1079,793
October 1811:00 a.m.No. 13 Purdue No. 14
ESPNL 23–2679,541
October 2511:00 a.m.at NorthwesternNo. 20ESPN2L 7–1636,233
November 811:00 a.m.at No. 24 MinnesotaESPNL 34–3759,543
November 1511:00 a.m.No. 21 Michigan State
  • Camp Randall Stadium
  • Madison, WI
ESPN2W 56–2179,256
November 222:30 p.m.No. 17 Iowa
  • Camp Randall Stadium
  • Madison, WI (rivalry)
ABCL 21–2779,931
December 3111:00 a.m.vs. Auburn*ESPNL 14–2855,109
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

[1]

Season summary

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Wisconsin entered the 2003 season ranked, after an 8–6 campaign the year before. The Badgers defeated West Virginia and Akron to open the season, but then were shocked by perennially underachieving UNLV at home, 23–5. The stunning upset knocked the Badgers (then ranked 14th) out of the polls entirely, and they would not return until after wins in their first two Big Ten games, against Illinois and Penn State (teams that would combine for a 1–15 Big Ten record). With defending National Champion Ohio State coming to town on a 19-game winning streak, the Badgers put together a solid game, and ended the Buckeyes' winning streak in a 17–10 upset.

At 3–0 in the Big Ten and having defeated Ohio State, the Badgers were looking to put together a run at a Big Ten title. Unfortunately for the Badgers, Kyle Orton and the Purdue Boilermakers ended Wisconsin's undefeated Big Ten campaign with a 26–23 win in Camp Randall. The next week in Evanston, the 20th ranked Badgers lost 16–7 to Northwestern.

With Paul Bunyan's Axe on the line against Minnesota, the Badgers were unable to avoid giving up another late drive, and Minnesota beat the Badgers in Minneapolis for the 2nd time in a row, 37–34. Disheartened but not yet finished, the Badgers dealt a massive blow to Michigan State (which was riding a losing streak of its own) as they routed the Spartans, 56–21. It was their second straight win over MSU. WR Lee Evans caught 10 passes for 258 yards and 5 touchdowns[2] in the game.

Against Iowa the next week, the Badgers took a 21–7 lead, which they proved unable to hold. Iowa defeated Wisconsin 27–21, a devastating loss on Senior Day that left the Badgers tied for 7th in the Big Ten. The Badgers accepted an invitation to the 2003 Music City Bowl against Auburn, a team ranked 6th in the nation in the preseason. The Badgers lost 28–14, closing out their 3rd season in a row with 6 or more losses.

FS Jim Leonhard caught 7 interceptions on defense for Wisconsin, leading the Badgers and the Big Ten. However, Wisconsin's defense gave up late scoring drives against Purdue, Minnesota, and Iowa, all games the Badgers lost.

Roster

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2003 Wisconsin Badgers football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
G 58 Kalvin Barrett   Jr
TE 88 Mark Bell   Jr
FB 45 Matt Bernstein   So
WR 1 Byron Brown   Sr
G 67 Dan Buenning   Jr
WR 87 Darrin Charles Jr
G 50 Jonathan Clinkscale   Jr
WR 11 Owen Daniels   So
RB 28 Anthony Davis   Jr
OT 75 Morgan Davis   Jr
WR 3 Lee Evans (C)   Sr
WR 26 Zach Hampton   Fr
WR 13 Travann Hayes   Jr
WR 29 Paul Hubbard Fr
G 76 Matt Lawrence   So
OT 61 Mike Lorenz   Jr
WR 7 Ernest Mason   Fr
OT 68 Fred Nieforth   Sr
TE 84 Jason Pociask   So
WR 9 Jonathan Orr   So
TE 85 Tony Paciotti   Jr
C 52 Jason Palermo   So
RB 20 Jerrone Pettus   Jr
TE 84 Jason Pociask   So
C 53 Donovan Raiola   So
FB 37 Greg Root   So
QB 16 Matt Schabert   Jr
RB 30 Dwayne Smith   So
QB 19 Jim Sorgi (C)   Sr
RB 32 Booker Stanley   Fr
QB 2 John Stocco   Fr
WR 15 Luke Swan Fr
OT 72 Joe Thomas Fr
WR 8 Brandon White So
WR 25 Brandon Williams So
OT 78 Jake Wood   So
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
S 7 Ryan Aiello Sr
CB 6 Brett Bell   Jr
S 42 Robert Brooks Jr
LB 10 Chris Catalano   Jr
LB 56 Jason Clemens   Sr
DT 97 Nick Cochart   Sr
CB 4 Chuckie Cowans   Jr
S 44 Patrick Ellestad   Jr
DT 73 Matt Gajda   Sr
LB 47 Elliot Goode So
DT 77 Anttaj Hawthorne Jr
DE 90 Erasmus James Sr
DT 74 Jason Jefferson   Jr
DE 98 Darius Jones   Jr
S 18 Jim Leonhard (C) Jr
LB 12 Alex Lewis Sr
DE 91 Traison Lewis   Jr
LB 46 Jeff Mark (C)   Sr
LB 43 Kyle McCorison   Sr
DE 95 Joe Monty   Fr
DB 22 Roderick Rogers Fr
CB 21 Levonne Rowan So
S 14 Dontez Sanders   So
CB 2 Scott Starks Jr
S 16 Joe Stellmacher   Fr
LB 34 Kareem Timbers   Jr
LB 24 LaMarr Watkins So
DE 92 Jonathan Welsh   Jr
LB 41 Mark Zalewski   Fr
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
K 99 Mike Allen Jr
K 29 Scott Campbell Sr
P 94 Ken DeBauche Fr
LS 86 Matt Katula   Jr
P 31 R. J. Morse Jr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Brian White – Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs
  • Kevin Cosgrove – Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers
  • Jeff HortonQuarterbacks
  • Jim Hueber – Offensive Line and Run Game Coordinator
  • Rob IanelloTight Ends
  • Ron Lee – Defensive Backs
  • Henry Mason – Wide Receivers
  • Brian Murphy – Outside Linebackers/Special Teams
  • John PalermoAssistant Head Coach/Defensive Line

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  •   Injured
  •   Redshirt

Roster

West Virginia

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Wisconsin vs West Virginia – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 21 Badgers 7 0 31424
Mountaineers 10 0 7017

at Milan Puskar Stadium

  • Date: August 30, 2003
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m.
  • Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C); Overcast; Wind at SW 10 MPH
  • Game attendance: 60,663
  • Referee: John Carson
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Mark Jones (Play-by-play), Bob Davie (Color) & Holly Rowe (Sideline)
  • [1]
Game information

Akron

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Akron vs Wisconsin – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Zips 3 7 14731
No. 18 Badgers 17 14 31448

at Camp Randall Stadium

  • Date: September 6, 2003
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: 83 °F (28 °C); Clear; Wind at SW 10 MPH
  • Game attendance: 75,401
  • Referee: Steve Newman
  • TV: ESPN+
  • [2]
Game information

UNLV

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UNLV vs Wisconsin – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Rebels 10 6 7023
No. 14 Badgers 0 5 005

at Camp Randall Stadium

  • Date: September 13, 2003
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m.
  • Game weather: 69 °F (21 °C); Light rain; Wind at S 9 MPH
  • Game attendance: 78,043
  • Referee: Dave Witvoet
  • TV: ESPN2
  • [3]
Game information

North Carolina

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North Carolina vs Wisconsin – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Tar Heels 7 10 3727
Badgers 14 7 71038

at Camp Randall Stadium

  • Date: September 20, 2003
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m.
  • Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C); Clear; Wind at SE 6 MPH
  • Game attendance: 77,439
  • Referee: Jack Childress
  • TV: ESPN
  • [4]
Game information

Illinois

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Wisconsin vs Illinois – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Badgers 14 7 71038
Fighting Illini 0 10 10020

at Memorial Stadium

  • Date: September 27, 2003
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C); Partly Cloudy; Wind at W 15 MPH
  • Game attendance: 58,495
  • Referee: Richard Honig
  • TV: ESPN
  • [5]
Game information

Penn State

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Wisconsin vs Penn State – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Badgers 7 10 6730
Nittany Lions 3 6 7723

at Beaver Stadium

  • Date: October 4, 2003
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m.
  • Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C); Rainy; Wind at SW 10-20 MPH
  • Game attendance: 107,851
  • Referee: D. Lipski
  • TV: ESPN
  • [6]
Game information

#3 Ohio State

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Ohio State vs Wisconsin – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 3 Buckeyes 0 3 0710
No. 23 Badgers 0 7 3717

at Camp Randall Stadium

  • Date: October 11, 2003
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C); Light Rain; Wind at S 15 MPH
  • Game attendance: 79,793
  • Referee: Dave Witvoet
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Ron Franklin (Play-by-play), Mike Gottfried (Color) & Adrian Karsten (Sideline)
  • [7]
Game information

#13 Purdue

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Purdue vs Wisconsin – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 13 Boilermakers 14 3 3626
No. 14 Badgers 7 6 01023

at Camp Randall Stadium

  • Date: October 18, 2003
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m.
  • Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C); Clear; Wind at W 5-10 MPH
  • Game attendance: 79,541
  • Referee: Steve Newman
  • TV: ESPN
  • [8]
Game information

Northwestern

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Wisconsin vs Northwestern – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 20 Badgers 0 7 007
Wildcats 6 3 7016

at Ryan Field

  • Date: October 25, 2003
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m.
  • Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C); Cloudy; Wind at W 6 MPH
  • Game attendance: 36,233
  • Referee: Richard Honig
  • TV: ESPN2
  • [9]
Game information

Minnesota

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Wisconsin vs Minnesota – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Badgers 3 10 14734
No. 24 Golden Gophers 10 14 31037

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome

  • Date: November 8, 2003
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m.
  • Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C); Dome
  • Game attendance: 59,543
  • Referee: Bill LeMonnier
  • TV: ESPN
  • [10]
Game information

#21 Michigan State

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Michigan State vs Wisconsin – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 21 Spartans 0 7 7721
Badgers 14 14 21756

at Camp Randall Stadium

  • Date: November 15, 2003
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m.
  • Game weather: 40 °F (4 °C); Dome
  • Game attendance: 79,256
  • Referee: Stave Pamon
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Pam Ward (Play-by-play) & Chris Spielman (Color)
  • [11]
Game information

#17 Iowa

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Iowa vs Wisconsin – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 17 Hawkeyes 7 10 7327
Badgers 14 7 0021

at Camp Randall Stadium

  • Date: November 22, 2003
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: 38 °F (3 °C); Drizzle; Wind at NE 13 MPH
  • Game attendance: 79,931
  • Referee: Dennis Lipski
  • TV announcers (ABC): Tim Brant (Play-by-play) & Ed Cunningham (Color)
  • [12]
Game information

Auburn

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Wisconsin vs Auburn – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Badgers 0 6 0814
Tigers 0 7 71428

at The Coliseum

  • Date: December 31, 2003
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m.
  • Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C); Mostly sunny; Wind at Var. 7 MPH
  • Game attendance: 55,109
  • Referee: Jack Childress
  • TV: ESPN
  • [13]
Game information

Regular starters

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Players selected in the 2004 NFL Draft

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Player Position Round Overall Selection NFL Team
Lee Evans Wide Receiver 1 13 Buffalo Bills
Alex Lewis Linebacker 5 140 Detroit Lions
Jim Sorgi Quarterback 6 193 Indianapolis Colts

[3]

References

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  1. ^ "2003 Wisconsin Football". University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Athletics. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  2. ^ "Individual Game-by-Game Summaries". University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Athletics. Archived from the original on December 22, 2014. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  3. ^ "2004 NFL Draft". Pro-Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 23, 2007. Retrieved December 22, 2014.