2000 Wisconsin Badgers football team

2000 Wisconsin Badgers football
Sun Bowl champion
Sun Bowl, W 21–20 vs. UCLA
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 24
APNo. 23
Record9–4 (4–4 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorBrian White (2nd season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Defensive coordinatorKevin Cosgrove (6th season)
Base defense4–3
Captains
Home stadiumCamp Randall Stadium
2000 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 11 Michigan +   6 2     9 3  
Northwestern +   6 2     8 4  
No. 13 Purdue $+   6 2     8 4  
Ohio State   5 3     8 4  
No. 23 Wisconsin   4 4     9 4  
Minnesota   4 4     6 6  
Penn State   4 4     5 7  
Iowa   3 5     3 9  
Illinois   2 6     5 6  
Michigan State   2 6     5 6  
Indiana   2 6     3 8  
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • + – Conference co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2000 Wisconsin Badgers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 2000 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their 11th year under head coach Barry Alvarez, the Badgers compiled a 9–4 record (4–4 in conference games), finished in a three-way tie for fifth in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 328 to 265. Against ranked opponents, they lost to No. 9 Michigan, No. 8 Ohio State, and No. 17 Purdue. They concluded the season with a 21–20 victory over unranked UCLAin the Sun Bowl. The Badger were ranked No. 23 in the final AP poll.

The team's statistical leaders included running back Michael Bennett (1,681 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns), quarterback Brooks Bollinger (1,479 passing yards, 121.17 passer rating), wide receiver Chris Chambers (52 catches, 813 yards), kicker Vital Pisetsky (70 points scored), and linebacker Nick Greisen (90 solo tackles, 146 total tackles). Cornerback Jamar Fletcher tallied seven interceptions and 14 pass breakups, won the Jim Thorpe Award, and was a consensus first-team All-American. Punter Kevin Stemke punted 69 times for an average of 44.49 yards and won the Ray Guy Award as the most outstanding punter in college football.

The team played its home games at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.