Freshman receiver eager to make his mark
LAS VEGAS – Growing up in Ohio, Markus Allen received many tips from his mother.
One stands out for freshman wide receiver:
Learn to be patient.
“My mom would teach me that back home,” Allen said, “but it’s something I never really understood until I got to college. …
“This year, I learned that patience is a virtue.”
The lesson wasn’t easy.
Allen held offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Kentucky, Virginia and others before he signed with UW.
“Coming in as a highly recruited guy,” he said, “I expected to play.”
Instead, Allen sat. The 6-foot-1, 215pounder did not play in UW’s first eight games and finally made his season debut at Rutgers and contributed two catches for 34 yards.
Allen did not play against Northwestern and Nebraska. He did play in the regular-season finale at Minnesota but did not have a catch.
Wide receivers coach Alvis Whitted
Wisconsin’s worked to keep Allen focused and involved during the regular season despite the lack of playing time.
“He kept saying your time is coming,” Allen said.
Allen occasionally posted comments on Twitter about the need to be patient.
“It was very hard at first,” he acknowledged. “I got frustrated and outside the facility I was telling my friends: ‘Man, I wish I was playing. I can do so much stuff for the team.’
“But we all had to let it sink in — me and the other freshmen — we had to realize that we had a lot of seniors that came back.”
According to UW coaches, Allen has flourished during preparation for the Las Vegas Bowl on Thursday.
“He’s been really good and been able to get a lot of reps,” UW coach Paul Chryst said. “I think he’s coming out with great purpose.”
Allen added: “I just came to work every day, worked on my craft and learned the system. It has helped a lot.”
Allen knows the UW wide receiver room will look dramatically different next season because of the departures of Kendric Pryor, Danny Davis and Jack Dunn.
“That time is on its way,” Allen said. “We’ve got one game left and we have to finish out the season strong and then come back for spring ball.”
Sophomore wide receiver Devin Chandler elected earlier this season to transfer because he wasn’t getting enough playing time.
Allen said he never pondered leaving. “In my mind,” he said, “I’ve just got to believe. I’ve got to believe in the system, believe in the offense and believe in what is coming.
“I bought into the program. And I thought, once you buy in, you’re in. There is no going back.”
UW players ready despite distractions
Chryst was asked, considering the cancellation of several bowl games and the presence of COVID-19, how well his players have been able to focus on preparing for the Las Vegas Bowl.
“Certainly we’ve gone through this season and obviously last season,” he said. “Our team is used to doing what we need to do, find ways to mitigate it . ...
“Certainly we’re aware of it and we’ve had some players that are not on the trip because of it.
“You’ve just got to roll with it.”
Henningsen joins team, set to play
Senior defensive end Matt Henningsen did not travel with the team Dec. 24 but has joined the team.
Henningsen has recorded three sacks, 51⁄2 tackles for loss and 31 total tackles, and has started all 12 games this season.
UW officials have not commented on why Henningsen’s arrival was delayed.
“He’s been doing a lot of things back home,” Chryst said.