Wisconsin Upsets Ohio State

Led by Jordan Taylor and Jared Berggren, the #16 Wisconsin Badgers beat the #8 Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus on Sunday. The win marked the Badgers' first Big Ten road victory against a top-ten team since 1980, when Wisconsin took down the 4th ranked Buckeyes (a team Bo Ryan was an assistant for).

The Badgers, coming off a terrible loss to Iowa on Thursday, opened the game strong and stuck with the high-powered Buckeyes. By halftime the teams were knotted at 29 all.

The Buckeyes managed an eight point lead with around ten minutes to play, but the Badgers came back, closing the gap to one point with less than a minute remaining.

Jared Berggren took it from there, hitting a huge three-pointer to put the Badgers on top by two.

"We always -- if we have an open look -- we have to be aggressive," said Berggren. "They're a good defensive team so you know open looks can be hard to come by. So when we get an opportunity like that, you have to step up with confidence. Jordan found me on the wing and I had a little space. I just stepped up and knocked it down."

After a Buckeye miss, Berggren grabbed a rebound and was fouled, and hit both free throws, putting the Badgers up by four.

Ohio State point guard Aaron Craft hit a free throw with a few seconds remaining to close out the game's scoring, and Wisconsin walked out of Columbus with a 63-60 victory.

"It's awesome, especially late in the season," Said Jordan Taylor. "We came off a tough loss against Iowa and to be able to come into an environment like this against a great team, it's really big for us."

Taylor led the Badgers with 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Berggren added 18 points and 5 boards, while Ryan Evans notched a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Rob Wilson nailed 3 triples to total 9 points, and Josh Gasser closed out the Badger scoring, adding 7 points of his own.

Wisconsin (21-8, 10-6) now sits in 4th place in the Big Ten, a half game behind Ohio State and Michigan who are tied for second.

The Badgers play Minnesota on Tuesday and Illinois on Sunday to close out the regular season. Both games are at the Kohl Center.

Rodgers Continues Support of Braun

When Ryan Braun's suspension was handed out back in Decemeber, Green Bay Packer quarterback Aaron Rodgers was quick to defend his close friend (and fellow MVP).

"Ryan and I are good buddies, probably my best athlete friend and we keep in touch obviously throughout the year. 


I would say I 100 percent support Ryan and believe in him and it’s not going to affect our friendship in the least. I’m 100 percent supporting him and behind him and believe in everything that he says."

Yesterday, when Braun officially won his appeal of the 50 game suspension imposed for a positive drug test, Rodgers quickly congratulated his friend via Twitter, with extensive use of the hashtag "exonerated."

Rodgers let loose a string of five or six tweets, all in support of Braun, closing with the following:

Braun is expected to speak today when he reports to Brewer training camp.

Ryan Braun Wins Appeal

Ryan Braun, the reigning National League MVP won his appeal of a 50 game suspension as a result of a positive test for performance-enhancing drugs.


Braun had tested positive for synthetic testosterone during last season's playoffs, and challenged his suspension in January. After 35 days of arbitration, a neutral third party voted in 2-1 decision to clear Braun.

Said Braun on Thursday:

"I am very pleased and relieved by today's decision. It is the first step in restoring my good name and reputation. We were able to get through this because I am innocent and the truth is on our side. We provided complete cooperation throughout, despite the highly unusual circumstances."

Braun will address the media again on Friday.


The MLB is less than enthusiastic with the outcome brought forth by the neutral third party and arbitrator Shyam Das. Rob Manfred, MLB's vice president for labor relations, said:

"Major League Baseball considers the obligations of the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program essential to the integrity of our game, our Clubs and all of the players who take the field. It has always been Major League Baseball's position that no matter who tests positive, we will exhaust all avenues in pursuit of the appropriate discipline. We have been true to that position in every instance, because baseball fans deserve nothing less.

"As a part of our drug testing program, the Commissioner's Office and the Players Association agreed to a neutral third party review for instances that are under dispute. While we have always respected that process, Major League Baseball vehemently disagrees with the decision rendered today by arbitrator Shyam Das."

Regardless of the MLB's opinions, Braun is back, and will report to training camp on Friday.

Aaron Rodgers: 2011 MVP Season in Review

Green Bay Packer quarterback Aaron Rodgers capped off a monstrous 2011 campaign by winning the Associated Press Most Valuable Player award in a landslide victory, garnering 48 of 50 votes. Quarterback Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints received the other 2 votes.

Rodgers is the first Packer to be named MVP since Brett Favre won the award three consecutive years (1995-1997), and joins former Packer legends Bart Starr (1966), Jim Taylor (1962), and Paul Hornung (1961) as MVPs.

Rodgers received the award at the inaugural NFL Honors to a standing ovation from the players, coaches and guests in attendance.

"It means a lot to be recognized as a consistent player and contributor on my team," Rodgers said. "I think it's an award that relies on a player having the support of his teammates, obviously, guys blocking, guys running, guys catching, guys making plays. But I'm very honored to receive the award."

The 2011 season marked Rodgers' best season to date. He threw for 4,634 yards, and became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw at least 45 touchdowns with just 6 interceptions. His single-season passer rating of 122.5 is the best in NFL history, and his career passer rating rose to 104.1, also an NFL record.

Rodgers walked away with numerous accolades during the season, as he was the NFC Offensive Player of the Month in September, October, and November, and was the FedEx Air Player of the Week 6 times (weeks 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 13).

After winning Super Bowl MVP honors at the end of the 2010 season, Rodgers began 2011 right where he left off, throwing for 312 yards and 3 touchdowns in the season-opening victory against the Saints. He would continue to throw at least 2 touchdowns in each of the first 13 games of the season, an NFL record.

In week 4 against the Denver Broncos Rodgers exploded, throwing for 408 yards and scoring 6 total touchdowns (2 rushing) on the way to a 49-23 blowout victory.

Week 7 at Minnesota was Rodgers' best statistical performance, when he completed 24 of 30 passes for 335 yards and 3 touchdowns, amassing a 146.2 quarterback rating en route to a 33-27 win in the Metrodome.

On Thanksgiving Day in Detroit Rodgers threw for 300+ yards and 2 touchdowns, winning the "prestigious" Galloping Gobbler award after the 27-15 victory. He continued his holiday successes by throwing for 283 yards and 5 touchdowns and amassing a passer rating of 142.7 in a 35-21 Christmas Day victory against the Bears.



While the Packers ultimately fell short in the playoffs, Rodgers' 2011 campaign will certainly be remembered as one of the best individual performances in Packer history, and as a historic season in the NFL record books

12/12/12 to be "Aaron Rodgers Day" in Wisconsin

The state Assembly in Wisconsin unanimously passed the decision to make December 12, 2012 Aaron Rodgers Day, in honor of the 2011 NFL MVP.

The effort to create Aaron Rodgers Day was started by Stevens Point resident Jennifer Brilowski, who began a Facebook campaign to honor the MVP.

Said Rodgers via Twitter: "Very flattered and honored that 12/12/12 is in the works. Thank u to the efforts of Jennifer Brilowski and our many incredible fans."

Packers Announce New Offensive Coordinator

On Thursday the Green Bay Packers officially promoted quarterback coach Tom Clements to offensive coordinator, a position previously held Joe Philbon, who is now head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

Packer head coach Mike McCarthy said of the promotion, “Tom has been an integral part of our success and our staff, making it an obvious decision to promote him to offensive coordinator. He has earned this opportunity and we look forward to continued offensive success in 2012.”

Clements' most obvious success is his work with Aaron Rodgers, who over the past two seasons has emerged as the league's premier passer.

While Clements was passed over after interviewing for the head coaching positions at Penn State University and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he is happy to remain in Green Bay.

“I’m not disappointed. Being a head coach would be great. I did interview with Penn State and Tampa, but all along I’ve said this would be a tough place to leave. It’s a great football town, the fans are great, we’re a young team and have a chance to be good for a long stretch of time. It would’ve had to have been the right situation to go. I wasn’t looking to leave just to go, because this is a great place to be,” Clements said.