RB P.J. Hill -- With his 61-yard, two-touchdown effort against Cal Poly, the junior tailback vaulted over the 1,000-yard mark for the third consecutive year. He heads into the Badgers' bowl game with 3,802 career yards and 42 touchdowns on the ground.

RB John Clay -- This redshirt freshman is even more of a bruiser than Hill. With three 100-yard efforts in his last four games, Clay wrapped up the regular season with 845 yards and nine touchdowns. Not only did he average 5.9 yards per carry, he lost yards on just three of his 144 carries.

QB Dustin Sherer -- The redshirt junior took over the job from senior Allan Evridge at halftime of the Week 6 game against Penn State. He struggled with interceptions and fumbles early, but became better at protecting the ball as he gained experience. When Wisconsin won four of its final five games, Sherer had five TD passes versus two interceptions and threw for nearly 1,000 yards.

DE Matt Shaughnessy -- The senior overcame a broken leg suffered at the end of spring practice and finished his third year as a starter. He had four sacks and seven hurries as a senior to finish with 15.5 career sacks and 40.5 tackles for loss.

ROSTER REPORT:

--Hard-hitting S Jay Valai (shin) did not play in the regular-season finale against Cal Poly, but figures to be ready for the bowl game. Aubrey Pleasant, last year's starter, took his spot and racked up a team-high 12 tackles.

--RT Eric Vanden Heuvel (foot) started his final game at Camp Randall Stadium after sitting out the previous week.

--TEs Travis Beckum (fibula) and Lance Kendricks (fibula) are among the Wisconsin players who are out for the season.