July 25, 2012

Golden Eagles to face Wisconsin Badgers early in 2013 football season

The legacy of playing top-notch FBS opponents will continue in 2013 for the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagle football team, which has an early September date at Big 10 conference foe University of Wisconsin.

Coming up Roses: Tech will now be facing
five of the last six Rose Bowl participants

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - The legacy of Tennessee Tech's football team taking on top-notch Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponents will continue in 2013 as coach Watson Brown's Golden Eagles have an early September date at Big 10 conference foe Wisconsin.

The Golden Eagles will venture to Madison, Wis., for a Sept. 7 contest against the Badgers in 80,321-seat Camp Randall Stadium. The starting time has not been announced.

A year ago, the Badgers finished the regular season with a 10-2 record including a 7-0 record at home. UW went on to defeat Michigan State, 42-39, in the Big 10 championship game, sending the Badgers to the 2012 Rose Bowl. Wisconsin dropped a thrilling, 45-38 contest in a record-setting game to Oregon on Jan. 2, finishing with an 11-3 overall record. Wisconsin was ranked 10th/11th in the final national polls and will be firmly planted in the Top 25 in every preseason poll heading into the 2012 campaign.

"We're excited to announce this game against Wisconsin and give our young men another opportunity to play against an FBS opponent," Brown said. "Each game we've played against that level of competition has been a learning experience. It has given our players a chance to face the very best competition we can face, and it gives each player memories they will take with them for the rest of their lives.

"These games are also very important financially for our football program and the Tennessee Tech Athletic Department," Brown said.

It wil mark the 17th consecutive year that Tech has ventured up a level to face an FBS opponent and the 10th FBS challenge in Watson Brown's six seasons as head coach. Tech played at Iowa last year and will visit Oregon this September. Brown's teams at Tech have also played at Auburn, Western Michigan, Louisville, Kansas State, Georgia and Arkansas since 2007.

The game also means the Golden Eagles will face the last four Rose Bowl participants (and five of the last six), including TCU, Oregon and Wisconsin.

"We are delighted to announce this game and add it to our 2013 schedule," said TTU Director of Athletics Mark Wilson. "It has become a tradition for Tennessee Tech football to play these games against FBS opponents, and the game against Wisconsin will continue that tradition. The list of teams we've played under Watson Brown is impressive, including some of the very best FBS teams in the nation every year from the top conferences in the country.

"It's an experience that our players and our fans always enjoy," Wilson added. "Whether it's Auburn, Georgia, Iowa, Oregon or Wisconsin playing this caliber of opponent provides the team with a tremendous challenge and gives them some lasting memories, and it is also an important aspect of our financial picture."

Wisconsin announced its complete 2013 schedule Wednesday, opening the year at home with games against Massachusetts and Tennessee Tech, before heading to Arizona State.

Tech fans who follow the Golden Eagles will also be treated to one of the premier marching bands performances in the nation, including the famous "fifth quarter" following the game. Nowhere except Camp Randall Stadium will 30,000-40,000 die-hard fans stay and stay and stay -- for as long as 50 minutes after the game -- to watch, sing, dance and enjoy the excitement of this entertaining Wisconsin football tradition.

Tickets will be available for the game through the Tennessee Tech Athletics Ticket Office. Details will be announced later.