Published: Dec. 2, 2014
Badgers, Trotter have reason to smile
Fifth-year senior had 14 tackles in victory
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
Daily News
MADISON — Wisconsin’s Marcus Trotter doesn’t like to smile
while playing football.
But after the Badgers’ 34-24 come-from-behind victory
Saturday against rival Minnesota, neither he nor could his coach, Gary
Andersen, could stop smiling.
Trotter, a fifth-year senior playing in his 25th career game
for the Badgers, had a collegiate-best 14 tackles, besting his 12-tackle
performance in this season’s opener against LSU, to hold off an upstart Gophers
offense in the second half on the Badger’s Senior Day.
“It means the world to me,” Andersen said about Trotter’s
performance. “Marcus Trotter is a kid, probably repeating this to many of you,
but, you know, the first thing he says is just thanks for giving me the
opportunity to play, coach, when you tell him nice game, great job, or thanks
for believing in me.
“That’s come out of his mouth four, five times throughout
the season. It did again today.”
A zoology major, Trotter is from Racine and went to
Marquette University High School in Milwaukee. His twin brother, Michael, is
also on the Badgers’ team.
To get to this point has been a test of patience for Marcus
Trotter.
He redshirted as a freshman. Then in his second, third and
fourth years in the program, Trotter played in 14 games. There was
consideration for him to change positions.
“There were some times here I was like, ’Dang, coach might
be right. I might have to go to fullback,’” Trotter said. “I wasn’t getting any
plays or opportunities.”
An injury on the defense last year gave him the chance he
longed for — a chance to get more playing time. He rose to the occasion. In
five games, he made 23 tackles, including two tackles-for-loss, with a fumble
recovery and a pass defended.
In preseason camps, Trotter was given the opportunity to win
the starting job, which he did.
This year, his first as a starter, Trotter has been one of
the key cogs on the nation’s second-ranked defense (260.3 yards per game),
trailing only Clemson (259.6).
“Just getting the chance to play here has been great,”
Trotter said.
“I think it’s just a good example that if you really believe
in what you can do, even if you’re not getting the opportunity, just keep on
working because sooner or later something’s going to happen,” he added. “I’m
very blessed.”
Trotter’s chance came when All-American Chris Borland got
injured last season.
“I’m thankful that I worked really hard and seized the
moment when I had the chance,” Trotter said.
On Monday, Trotter was rewarded. He was named honorable
mention All-Big Ten by the conference’s coaches and media.
“To see him come out, not only hold down a spot down, but, I
said it a week ago, I thought he was the best player a week ago on our
defensive side of the football,” Andersen said.
“It’s fun to see a young man like that have success, it
really is,” he added.
Trotter’s game highlighted a day full of emotion, capped
with the Badgers’ 11th straight victory over the Gophers and an end to a
two-game slide on Senior Day.
Last year’s loss to Penn State was the worst. The loss
shattered any small hope the Badgers had of going to a BCS bowl.
“It was a tough day,” Andersen said. “We played against a
very talented team. They executed, and they frankly deserved to win that
football game, and did.
“It’s tough to see those kids go out that way when they’ve
done so many things and fought so hard within the program.”
The hype surrounding the Minnesota game enhanced the
satisfaction of triumph.
It was only the fifth matchup of the rivals in 123 previous
meetings where both teams were ranked in the top 25. Wisconsin is 5-0 in those
meetings — 1954, 1962, 1999 and 2005.
This year’s senior class saw the look of disappointment
after the Penn State game and vowed for it to not happen to them.
“Me and all those seniors, leaving Camp Randall with a
victory, you can’t take that for granted,” Trotter said. “It’s something we’re
going to remember for the rest of our lives.”
Trotter is bummed the end of the line is this close. The
Badgers have the Big Ten Championship game Saturday and a bowl game.
“I was telling my brother I wish we had one more year,” he
said. “I just feel like I’m getting more comfortable with the scheme. ... The
last couple of games, I feel like I’m getting into my zone.”
If it were up to him, Andersen would welcome him back for
another year.
“He made some big-time plays (Saturday),” he said. “He plays
with such energy and passion.”
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