News

Wisconsin has been selected as the Big Ten representative to play in the 2002 Alamo Bowl presented by MasterCard on Saturday, December 28 at 7 p.m. (CST) in San Antonio?s 65,000-seat Alamodome. ?We are looking forward to the Badgers to bring their power-running attack along with their devoted fans and outstanding football tradition to this year?s Alamo Bowl presented by MasterCard,? said Diane Rath, Alamo Bowl Chairman. ?We?re excited that Wisconsin will be representing the Big Ten this year,? said John Stuart, MasterCard?s Senior Vice President of Global Sponsorships and Events. ?We?re looking forward to announcing their Big 12 competitor and to an exciting game. MasterCard is proud to serve as the presenting sponsor of the Alamo Bowl, one of college football?s premier match-ups.? Led by Head Coach Barry Alvarez, Wisconsin (7-6) will be making their first bowl trip to San Antonio. During his tenure, Alvarez has complied a 6-1 bowl record including three Rose Bowl victories (1994, 1999 and 2000). ?We?re thrilled to be going to San Antonio to play in the Alamo Bowl presented by MasterCard,? said Alvarez. ?We are really happy to have been selected to represent the Big Ten in such a great bowl game. Our fans are already making plans to travel to Texas and we will cover the Riverwalk in red.? Led by senior quarterback Brooks Bollinger and sophomore running back Anthony Davis, the Wisconsin offense averaged 26.2 points per game. Together, Bollinger and Davis accounted for 3,435 yards of total offense this season. Bollinger passed for 1,595 yards and threw twelve touchdowns to only three interceptions and is the top running quarterback in Wisconsin history. Davis finished the season with 1,456 yards, the second highest total in the Big Ten this year behind the 2,015 yards from Penn State?s Larry Johnson and the eighth highest total in the nation. In Wisconsin?s season finale 49-31 win against Minnesota, Davis, a Second Team All-Big Ten selection, rushed for 301 yards and a school record-tying five touchdowns. This season Davis also became Wisconsin?s tenth straight 1,000 yard rusher this season, a Big Ten record. The Badgers opportunistic defense has the best turnover margin in the conference with a +19 mark and is paced by defensive backs Ryan Aiello and Jim Leonhard with 97 and 91 total tackles, respectively. Leonhard, a First Team All-Big Ten selection, leads the nation with ten interceptions. Wisconsin?s Big 12 opponent is yet to be determined and will probably not be announced until after this Saturday?s Dr Pepper Big 12 Championship. A press conference is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, December 8 at 4 p.m. at The Palm Restaurant in downtown San Antonio. The Alamo Bowl presented by MasterCard will pick its Big 12 team after the BCS, the SBC Cotton Bowl and the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl. To purchase tickets to the 2002 Alamo Bowl presented by MasterCard, fans can visit or call any Texas TicketMaster outlet (210-224-9600 in San Antonio) or through ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the Alamodome Southeast Box Office, Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or through the bowl?s website at alamobowl.com. Fans interested in travel packages can call 1-800-810-2695 (BOWL). For more information, please call Rick Hill at the Alamo Bowl presented by MasterCard at (210) 704-6388 or visit the bowl?s website at alamobowl.com courtesy of SBC.