Bryant Would Be Happy With Repeat Performance

Sophomore defensive tackle Wendell Bryant cherishes the memory of Wisconsin’s 38-31 victory over UCLA in the 1999 Rose Bowl. He was credited with four tackles, tipped two passes at the line of scrimmage and sacked quarterback Cade McNown on a game-saving play with slightly more than a minute to play.

“It was a great experience, a great game,” he said Tuesday. “I think people called that my coming-out party, and in a sense it was.”

But he’s smart enough--academic all-Big Ten, no less--to know he can’t live on memories. As a starter in all 11 games of Wisconsin’s second successive title-winning season, Bryant has developed into a fine pass rusher who is also capable of defending against the run.

“I knew I’d have to come back and work hard,” Bryant said. “We lost a lot of players and I knew I’d have to step it up. It wasn’t always easy, because I was double-teamed sometimes. But to me, that’s a sign of respect from the coaches on the other team. No matter what the block or the circumstances, I still have to come through.”

He came through often enough this season to make 25 unassisted tackles and assist on 19 more, winning raves from Coach Barry Alvarez.

“You go back and look at 1/8the Rose Bowl 3/8 and Wendell Bryant pops out at you, and you’re looking at a true freshman,” Alvarez said. “Because he plays inside, he’s not as dominant as some guys who play outside. Before he finishes--and I’m not saying he’s there yet--he will be a special player.”

Bryant expects to be tested Saturday, when the Badgers return to Pasadena to face Stanford. “They’re a solid offense. They have a talented wide receiver corps, a great quarterback and a good fullback,” he said. “We respect them. Coach isn’t letting us get relaxed and confident, no matter who’s favored.”

But can he top his performance of a year ago?

“I don’t know,” he said, “but I’m going to try.”

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Senior linebacker Donnel Thompson, who sprained his left ankle Sunday, missed his third consecutive day of practice but did manage to jog.

“It’s feeling fine,” said Thompson, a team captain. “It’s a little sore, but nothing too bad.”

He intends to play Saturday. For him to miss the game, he said, “My leg would have to be missing.”

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Alvarez and Stanford Coach Tyrone Willingham will share a birthday Thursday.

“Tyrone and I are going to split a cake,” Alvarez joked. “I bought him a present already. I don’t know if he bought me one.”

Alvarez said he plans to celebrate over dinner with friends and family.

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Wisconsin’s third Rose Bowl appearance in seven years has helped its recruiting efforts on the West Coast.

“When we came to the first Rose Bowl, 1/8prospective recruits 3/8 were in sixth or seventh grade and those guys were just starting to pay attention to football,” Alvarez said. “Now, we’re a familiar face. We weren’t able to recruit like we thought we could after the ’93 season, but a lot of those guys are more familiar with us now. We’ve gotten several commitments from out here already.”

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Starting today, the Badgers will conduct closed practices. . . . Actor Henry Winkler, whose daughter attends Wisconsin, gave the team an informal pep talk after Tuesday’s workout at the Coliseum. At the end, he worked up to a mock frenzy and shouted, “It’s a real shame that Stanford even packed to come down here,” before adding, “Now you take it over, Coach.”