Badger of Honor
Fansided

Flashback: A Yom Kippur Running Diary

By Noah Seligman

DETROIT - 2006: Matt Bernstein of the Detroit Lions poses for his 2006 NFL headshot at photo day in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Getty Images)
DETROIT - 2006: Matt Bernstein of the Detroit Lions poses for his 2006 NFL headshot at photo day in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Getty Images) /
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Booker Stanley of the Wisconsin Badgers during a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)
Booker Stanley of the Wisconsin Badgers during a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images) /

Wisconsin versus Penn State, September 25, 2004

Wisconsin came into the game ranked #20 sporting a 3-0 record with wins over Central Florida, UNLV, and Arizona.  The Badgers had outscored its opponents by a combined 61-16 total in its three games. 

Meanwhile, Penn State started 2-1 on the season with wins over Akron and Central Florida and losing to Boston College.  The unranked Nittany Lions had outscored its three opponents by a combined 92-44 total in its three games.

Bernstein had a total of 49 carries for 186 rushing yards and three touchdowns in his first two Badger seasons.  He also added eight receptions for 113 yards in those two years.

In the first three games of the 2004 season, Bernstein had nine carries for 17 yards and two receptions for 27 yards.

Were you surprised by your usage in that game?

In the first half, I hardly did anything.  I was exhausted and got maybe two carries for like four yards.

Were their injuries to Booker Stanley or something else that necessitated you at RB or just a matchup Wisconsin liked?

EVERYONE got hurt and was held out of the game.  It was kind of scary to see everyone go down.  I am just lucky that Coach White would give me 1-2 reps at tailback in practice and that I paid attention to his coaching all the time.  I would watch the halfbacks on every play as well as myself or the fullback. Coach White was one of the best coaches I have ever had.  He made me into a blocker and someone that could see the whole field and play fast.

Anything distinct you remember about the game?

I remember the game being a slow defensive battle at first.  No team could really move the ball and everyone looked slow.  The second half was completely different.  We were able to control the ball and our defense dominated.

The game was an “old school” defensive struggle.  Wisconsin eventually clawed out a 16-0 lead.  A Penn State field goal late in the third quarter were the only Nittany Lions points of the day.  Those were also the final points of the game in a 16-3 Badger win.

For the game, Wisconsin ran for 130 yards but held Penn State to only 70.  John Stocco 12/29 for 150 yards but tossed two interceptions.  The Nittany Lions were just 8/28 passing for 87 yards and two interceptions.  

Naturally, current Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard had one of the picks.  Each team also lost a fumble.  The Badgers had 17 first downs to only nine for the visitors.

Bernstein racked up 27 of his 83 carries of the season in the Penn State game.  He finished with 123 rushing yards.  He would rush for 300 total that season.