Auburn Outback Bowl Preview: Wisconsin Badgers Offense

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Wisconsin Badgers Receivers

Receiver can be a lonely position at Wisconsin, especially when the nation’s leading rusher has a spot in the backfield. Still, there is pass-catching talent on the roster.

Sophomore Alex Erickson led the Badgers with 51 catches and 734 yards this season, and was on the receiving end of three touchdown passes.

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The 6-foot, 198-pound wideout had a trio of terrific games. Erickson snagged a career-high ten passes for 122 yards and a touchdown against Western Illinois, five passes for 121 yards and a score against Maryland, and notched a career-high 160 yards on five catches against Minnesota to help the Badgers win the Big Ten West.

“As a competitor, that’s what you want to do. You want to play your best in the biggest games,” Erickson said after the win over Minnesota. “Big time players make big time plays. Coach (Gary Anderson) says that all the time. In big games like this, guys have to step up. To be able to help my team and help the seniors was huge.”

Erickson was one of the few Wisconsin players to play well against Ohio State. He had seven catches for 83 yards against the Buckeyes.

Senior tight end Sam Arneson, a 6-foot-4, 265-pound target, is second on the team with 27 receptions and 354 yards and leads all players with four touchdown catches.

Other options in the passing game include Kenzel Doe, Troy Fumagalli and Jordan Fredrick, who each have 12 catches or more. Doe has 16 receptions for 187 yards and a TD, while Fumagalli and Fredrick each have 12 grabs for 169 and 117 yards, respectively. Neither has a touchdown in 2014.

Next: Wisconsin Offensive Line