Berger could be back for Wisconsin’s bowl game
MADISON – With Wisconsin's 2020 finale a little more than a week away, head coach Paul Chryst isn't certain if any of the players sidelined recently by injury will be ready to play.
However, a recent decision by the Big Ten to reduce the number of days players must sit out after contracting COVID-19 to 17 from 21 could allow tailback Jalen Berger to play in the Dec. 30 Duke's Mayo Bowl.
“I think this does help with Jalen,” Chryst said Monday during a Zoom session.
The freshman has played in only three games but leads the team in rushing with 267 yards and an average of 5.9 yards per carry.
He tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 11, the day before UW played at Iowa.
With Berger and Nakia Watson out last week against Minnesota, senior Garrett Groshek rushed 24 times for 154 yards, both college-high marks, and a touchdown to help UW rally for a 20-17 overtime victory.
Whether injured players such as wide receivers Danny Davis and Kendrick Pryor and left tackle Cole Van Lanen can return is to be determined.
“Certainly you're hopeful,” Chryst said, “and we've got more than a normal week.”
Modified practice schedule
During normal bowl prep, the UW coaches take time to hold several developmental practices designed specifically for younger players. That won't be possible considering the bowl game is barely more than a week away.
"We can sneak a little in," Chryst said, "but the truth of it is, it is more like a long game week than it is a short bowl prep."
The players are set to go through individual work Tuesday and the practice is designed to focus solely on UW's plays.
"Those will be great opportunities for young guys that are playing and young guys that aren't playing," Chryst said.
Extra points
According to Chryst, the first time senior quarterback Jack Coan broached the subject of transferring was shortly before the Iowa game Dec. 12. Chryst declined to comment on the substance of the conversation or why Coan ultimately chose to leave. …
Chryst doesn't believe any UW player will choose to skip the bowl game. “I think the opposite,” he said. “A lot of guys are excited about it.”…
Officials from some schools announced before the bowl invitations were extended that their teams would not participate in a bowl game this season. The reason? To allow the players some extra time off. According to Chryst, UW's players should have threeplus weeks away from football before returning for the first day of classes, set for Jan. 25. "Our kids, many will leave from Charlotte to go back home," he said. "They'll have a good chunk of time back home."