Graham playing role in Badgers grid success
Brick native seeing plenty of field time for Wisconsin
BY WAYNE WITKOWSKI Staff Writer
Even with All-American candidate Travis Beckum back in the offense as the halfback, Brick's Garrett Graham still is expected to continue to have a big impact on the University of Wisconsin's football team this season.

With Beckum out for the first two games with a hamstring injury, Graham picked up the load in catching the ball as the Badgers moved up to No. 8 in the national rankings, winning their first three games. They were off two weekends ago before resuming their schedule for last Saturday's Big 10 opener at the University of Michigan.

"Playing them is always tough, no matter what the record is. We've had a lot of guys banged up and it's good to get the rest," said Graham, about the first bye week in his three seasons playing for the Badgers, also coming off a bye week.

Graham was ready to do his part but Michigan prevailed, 27-25, on an overthrown conversion pass after a Wisconsin touchdown with 13 seconds left. The loss knocked Wisconsin out of the top 10 to the No. 17 spot amid the landslide of highly ranked teams that were upset on Saturday. Next up is Ohio State on Saturday at Wisconsin's Camp Randall home field. But Graham will look to help his team bounce back with great efforts like he had in the first three games. He did not have any catches

"I'm just trying to carry things over from last year," said Graham whose four touchdown catches last season was No. 2 on the team and he played well in the Outback Bowl where Wisconsin lost to Tennessee, 21-17. The 6-foot-4, 237-pound junior has 11 catches this season for 154 yards and three touchdowns but got none against Michigan. He scored the first touchdown in two of the games for the 3-0 Badgers, including the latest 13-10 victory over then- No. 21 Fresno State on the road. Wisconsin also has a 15-game home win streak, second most in the nation.

"Hopefully, we'll clean things up [from the Fresno State game], just in the run game," said Graham. "We didn't do so well there."

Graham has done his part as he not only catches the ball, but has laid crisp blocks downfield, just as he did during his high school career at Brick Memorial.

"I tried to put on some weight for this season and that helped me out with my blocking," said Graham. "I have a good knowledge of the offense and I understand my role."

That role is part of what often calls for a double tight end set with Beckham or junior Mickey Turner under the guidance of a new tight end coach.

"It's the same things [as last year]," said Graham of the assistant coach's approach. "It's been great. Coming into last season, I wasn't sure if the coaches had enough confidence in me. I felt I've got to produce more."

And Graham did and has continued it this season. He caught a 26-yard touchdown pass against Marshall for a 31-14 lead. Marshall led in the second quarter, 14-0, when Wisconsin surged back with 51 unanswered points. Graham also caught a 3-yard touch down pass against Akron that started Wisconsin on to a 17-0 lead en route to a 38-17 opening victory.

"I learned a lot just watching him [Beckham] run his routes against coverage and how he wins personal battles when the defense reacts," said Graham. "We feed off each other. It helps us to make plays."