Former Fremd QB gets call to direct Wisconsin's offense

Posted August 31, 2009 11:00 pm

Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. - Fourth-year junior Scott Tolzien of Rolling Meadows will get his first career start at quarterback when Wisconsin opens the season Saturday against Northern Illinois.

Tolzien, a former standout at Fremd High School in Palatine, beat out redshirt freshman Curt Phillips and senior Dustin Sherer, who started UW's final seven games last season.

Coach Bret Bielema said Monday that Tolzien has responded well to the pressure of being named the starter.

The depth chart shows Tolzien listed first with Phillips listed next to him, differentiated by a slash instead of the word "or." Several other positions, including junior Zach Brown and sophomore John Clay at running back, are listed in the same manner.

Bielema has said that Phillips will see playing time Saturday.

Tolzien redshirted in 2006, didn't play in 2007, and only had limited playing time in three games last season, completing 5 of 8 passes for 107 yards with 1 interception and 1 touchdown run. The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder set 15 passing records as a senior at Fremd and finished his high school career with 40 touchdowns and 4,145 yards passing. Tolzien is former Daily Herald All-Area Football captain (2005).

A late commitment to the Badgers who was heavily recruited by Mid-American Conference schools, Bielema was asked if he was a "Plan B guy who panned out."

"He's the Scott Tolzien plan. Every guy was recruited in a different fashion. Some guys are going to come in with 20 offers, some are going to come in with none," Bielema said. "The greatest thing he's done is he's come in here and taken full advantage of every opportunity."

How well Tolzien responds as the starter is just one of the larger questions facing the Badgers as they try to recover from a disappointing 7-6 season.

Bielema, 39, has been candid in the lead-up to this season about mistakes that were made in 2008 and changes that have been made to fix them.

He has said there will be more discipline in the program. A tougher class attendance policy started in the second semester last year, shortly after Wisconsin was blown out 42-13 by Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl.

There's a lot on the line for Bielema, the head coach personally selected by his predecessor and current athletic director Barry Alvarez.

After notching a 12-1 record his first season, Bielema's teams have gone just 16-10 since.

Tolzien isn't the only untested player the Badgers are resting their rebound hopes on this season. The depth chart lists only 10 seniors compared with 31 freshmen and sophomores.

The Badgers will have a chance to work out the kinks at home with three nonconference opponents to open the season.

Wisconsin has won 14 straight games at home again nonconference opponents since 2003. The Big Ten season also starts at home for Wisconsin against Michigan State.

Big Ten fraternity When he starts at quarterback on Saturday for Wisconsin, Scott Tolzien of Fremd High School joins the fraternity of suburban quarterbacks who started for Big Ten programs. Here's a look at some of the most recent ones: • Scott Kavanagh, Wisconsin (1999), Naperville North H.S. • Kurt Kittner, Illinois (1998-2001), Schaumburg H.S. • Jon Beutjer, Iowa (2000), Wheaton Warrenville South H.S. • Jon Beutjer, Illinois (2002-04), Wheaton Warrenville South H.S. • Brad Bower, Illinois (2004), Hinsdale Central H.S. • Brett Basanez, Northwestern (2002-05), St. Viator H.S.

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