Bielema says penalty had nothing to do with age
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By SCOTT BAUER
Associated Press Writer
Tuesday, November 4, 2008 12:12 AM CST
MADISON — A contrite Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema said Monday that he lost some credibility with his players after being penalized while complaining about a call at a critical point in the team’s 25-24 loss to Michigan State.
But Bielema said the penalty was not an indication of a lack of maturity. At 38, he is the fourth youngest head coach in NCCA Bowl Subdivision football.
“It’s a play as a head coach that I will forever be able to hold in my memory bank and make me a better person in the future,” he said.
Wisconsin (4-5, 1-5 Big Ten) was leading Michigan State 24-13 with 9:19 left in the game Saturday when it started to unravel. Bielema’s unsportsmanlike conduct penalty following a delay of game penalty to give the Spartans a 20-yard jump on a touchdown drive that pulled them within five points.
The penalty was one of 12 for the Badgers that cost them 121 yards.
“My reaction to that play was a poor example to them,” Bielema said. “But on the same account I think they understand and understand the big picture. It’s not one play in particular, it’s not one penalty, it’s a cumulative effect of 12.”
Bielema was also asked if the penalty hurt his credibility and ability to take a hard line with his players about not getting penalties.
“Well, it did,” Bielema replied. “That’s what I expressed to our players.”
Bielema, who has posted a 25-10 record in nearly three seasons as a head coach, has been a frequent critic of officials both during games and often afterward in public. But he said his reaction to the latest controversial penalty had nothing to do with how young he is.
“Age is just a number,” Bielema said. “I’ve seen some very upset 40, 50 and 60-year-olds who go about their business in a certain way. The situation that got me the penalty .... by far was not the most strenuous or vigorous comment I’ve made to an official. But the timing of it went against me because of the reaction that I received from him.”
After bouncing back following a four-game losing streak to defeat Illinois a week ago, the Badgers find themselves at the bottom of the Big Ten following the loss to Michigan State (8-2, 5-1).
For a team that started the season with hopes of competing in a Bowl Championship Series game, Wisconsin now must win two of its final three games to be eligible for a bowl for the seventh year in a row. Following the game at Indiana (3-6, 1-4) the Badgers will host Minnesota and Cal Poly.
Wisconsin will have to play out the rest of the regular season without sophomore tight end Lance Kendricks. He broke the fibula in his left leg during this week’s loss and will be out for the rest of the regular season. Bielema said he may be back within four to six weeks, which means he could be available for a bowl game.
Kendricks was filling in for injured starter Travis Beckum when he was hurt while making a block against a Michigan State player.
Bielema said the break wasn’t as bad as it could have been and he is expected to make a full and complete recovery.
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