It's been a bruising series of late.
The last time Penn State faced Wisconsin, the game produced one of the most memorable moments in Penn State football history. It had nothing to do with a miraculous play or an upset win. Joe Paterno broke his left leg and tore knee ligaments in a sideline collision and was carted off the field.
Two years ago, the Nittany Lions stymied Badger tailback Brian Calhoun with an imposing defensive effort.
Three years ago, Penn State's starting and backup quarterbacks were knocked out of the game.
In 2002, three Penn State players suffered injuries that forced them off the field.
The schools have met each of the last six seasons. Penn State has lost four of those games. The Nittany Lions are 4-8 all-time against Wisconsin.
Penn State not only has a chance to right its course tonight against the Badgers, but it will have the opportunity to get a win against a ranked opponent. And with thick running back P.J. Hill squaring off against a stout Penn State defense, this meeting figures to again be a physical effort.
Here's a look at the last five games in this series:
2006: Wisconsin 13, PSU 3
Camp Randall Stadium
The score in this one was an afterthought. The enduring image will be of tight end Andrew Quarless and Wisconsin linebacker DeAndrew Levy crashing into Paterno, who was then carted off the field with his left leg in a brace. "If I were to ask him, 'How are you feeling?' I think he might have punched me," said defensive coordinator Tom Bradley, who served as acting head coach following Paterno's injury.
2005: PSU 35, Wisconsin 14
Beaver Stadium
On Senior Day, Penn State proved its mettle against a No. 14 Wisconsin team before the second-largest Beaver Stadium crowd. The game gave the Lions the inside track in the Big Ten. "People this week have kind of been insulting us, talking about the Big Ten is wide open, like we're not really on top of it," Lions tailback Tony Hunt said. "We proved we're on top of the Big Ten right now. I don't think there's a question of it being wide open." The Lions shut down Wisconsin's Heisman hopeful running back Calhoun, who had 38 yards rushing. "This is Heisman Hell here, man," Lions defensive end Matthew Rice said. "Any Heisman carriers to come here -- they don't leave out the same."
2004: Wisconsin 16, PSU 3
Camp Randall Stadium
This game didn't stand out because of JoePa's injury. Instead, this was memorable because of immediate injuries to quarterbacks Zack Mills and Michael Robinson. Mills separated his right shoulder on the first play of the game when Wisconsin defensive end Erasmus James jumped on him after releasing the ball. Robinson was taken off the field in a stretcher with a concussion during the first quarter when James levied a massive blow that jarred Robinson's head backward. Third-string quarterback Chris Ganter took over and the Lions fell slowly before a raucous crowd
2003: Wisconsin 30, PSU 23
Beaver Stadium
Penn State couldn't get its rushing attack moving -- mustering only 45 yards -- but Robinson passed for 379 yards. The special teams also faltered in a big way, including kicker Robbie Gould's missed field goal. "I don't know whether it's as bad as we have ever had, we just obviously weren't good," Paterno said when asked about his special teams. "We just weren't good, I don't know what to tell you."
2002: PSU 34, Wisconsin 31
Camp Randall Stadium
Coming off of a loss to Iowa, Penn State was able to get in sync offensively and had an impressive defensive effort to topple Wisconsin. But, again, this game stayed true to hard-hitting form. At least three Nittany Lions, including quarterback Zack Mills, running back Larry Johnson and linebacker LaMar Stewart, suffered injuries that forced them off the field or into the locker room.
