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Outback Bowl notebook
By KEITH NIEBUHR, Times Staff Writer
Published December 27, 2007
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Wisconsin began acclimating itself to the Florida heat Wednesday afternoon at the team's first practice in Tampa for the Outback Bowl against Tennessee, but the Badgers' preparation for the warm weather actually began in the Cheese State during recent weeks.
"We cranked the heat at our indoor stadium," coach Bret Bielema said.
At that facility, the temperature often reached 70. Even though it was pretty close to that (73 degrees) when the Badgers hit the field at Jefferson High on Wednesday, Bielema said there was no way to perfectly replicate everything in Madison.
"You can't," he said, "simulate the sun beating on you."
ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS: Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer isn't just preparing his team for a game this week, he's trying to fill two vacancies on his staff. Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe is leaving to become head coach at Duke and wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor will be co-offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State.
Both are coaching the Vols through the bowl game.
Finding their replacements "is a process," Fulmer said. "The search is ongoing."
Fulmer hopes to have the new coaches in place in January.
O MY: The Badgers typically have one of the country's largest offensive lines, and this season is no different. The unit averages 6 feet 6 inches, 310 pounds, which Bielema was told would make it one of the biggest in the NFL. "The one thing we have an abundance of in Wisconsin is big people," Bielema said.
BADGER IS BACK: The Badgers got an emotional lift Wednesday when fifth-year senior James Kamoku, a key special teams performer and one of their most inspirational players, practiced for the first time since popping an Achilles' tendon in fall camp. "He's pretty excited," Bielema said.
ODDS AND ENDS: Both teams attended the Outback Steakhouse welcome dinner Wednesday at the Tampa Convention Center. Tonight, the teams will be guests at the Lightning-Canadiens game at the St. Pete Times Forum. ... Tennessee offensive tackle Ramon Foster (thumb), linebacker Ryan Karl (elbow) and linebacker Nevin McKenzie (ankle) returned to practice Wednesday. Each was injured in the Dec. 1 SEC Championship Game against LSU.
© 2007 All Rights Reserved St. Petersburg Times
By KEITH NIEBUHR, Times Staff Writer
Published December 27, 2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wisconsin began acclimating itself to the Florida heat Wednesday afternoon at the team's first practice in Tampa for the Outback Bowl against Tennessee, but the Badgers' preparation for the warm weather actually began in the Cheese State during recent weeks.
"We cranked the heat at our indoor stadium," coach Bret Bielema said.
At that facility, the temperature often reached 70. Even though it was pretty close to that (73 degrees) when the Badgers hit the field at Jefferson High on Wednesday, Bielema said there was no way to perfectly replicate everything in Madison.
"You can't," he said, "simulate the sun beating on you."
ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS: Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer isn't just preparing his team for a game this week, he's trying to fill two vacancies on his staff. Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe is leaving to become head coach at Duke and wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor will be co-offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State.
Both are coaching the Vols through the bowl game.
Finding their replacements "is a process," Fulmer said. "The search is ongoing."
Fulmer hopes to have the new coaches in place in January.
O MY: The Badgers typically have one of the country's largest offensive lines, and this season is no different. The unit averages 6 feet 6 inches, 310 pounds, which Bielema was told would make it one of the biggest in the NFL. "The one thing we have an abundance of in Wisconsin is big people," Bielema said.
BADGER IS BACK: The Badgers got an emotional lift Wednesday when fifth-year senior James Kamoku, a key special teams performer and one of their most inspirational players, practiced for the first time since popping an Achilles' tendon in fall camp. "He's pretty excited," Bielema said.
ODDS AND ENDS: Both teams attended the Outback Steakhouse welcome dinner Wednesday at the Tampa Convention Center. Tonight, the teams will be guests at the Lightning-Canadiens game at the St. Pete Times Forum. ... Tennessee offensive tackle Ramon Foster (thumb), linebacker Ryan Karl (elbow) and linebacker Nevin McKenzie (ankle) returned to practice Wednesday. Each was injured in the Dec. 1 SEC Championship Game against LSU.
© 2007 All Rights Reserved St. Petersburg Times