Wisconsin Football Countdown: No. 61, Mike Lorenz
By Jim Oxley
As the countdown to the first Wisconsin football game of the season continues, Badger of Honor is taking a look at Badgers by the numbers, checking in on a different Badger or Badgers players who wore the number corresponding with the remaining days until the Badgers head to Texas to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide Saturday, Sept. 5.
Next up in our countdown, signifying 61 days until college football is back, is Mike Lorenz.
Wisconsin Badgers
A member of the Badgers from 2001 to 2004, Lorenz is a Manitowoc, Wisconsin native.
He was an Academic All-Big Ten selection in 2002, 2003 and 2004, despite dealing with dyslexia.
Lorenz credited his brother, Tom, with helping him keep his GPA above 3.0 by rewarding him with 40-ounce steaks after each semester. Yes, 40-ounce steaks. Only in Wisocnsin.
The hard work paid off, and Lorenz was given a chance in NFL free agency with the New England Patriots. While he never made an NFL roster, his success at Wiconsin won’t be forgotten.
Who wore No. 61 first?
• Center Irving Highland was the first Badgers player to wear No. 61 back in 1927.
Who wears No. 61 now?
• Offensive lineman Tyler Marz currently wears No. 61 for the Badgers. Big things are expected from the senior lineman, who heads into the 2015-16 one of the best linemen in the country. Marz is expected to pave the way for a strong rushing attack out of the Badgers running backs this season, and is expected to be drafted early come next spring.
Stay tuned to Badger of Honor as we continue our daily countdown in preparation of the season opener against Alabama.
Next: Wisconsin Football Experience