Scott Tolzien shakes off perfection, instead paces Wisconsin with precision

CHICAGO -- Wisconsin quarterback Scott Tolzien strives for perfection, something that he admits is unattainable.

It's a praiseworthy characteristic, but in many ways caused him problems last year.

Tolzien, a fifth-year senior, earned the starting nod as Wisconsin's quarterback in fall camp. He was the most consistent player at the position, Badgers Coach Bret Bielema said, but Tolzien continued to beat himself up after making mistakes. He couldn't relax and struggled to handle the starting quarterback role, Bielema said.

"I think it hindered him to be quite honest," Bielema said. "When you're a perfectionist, and you've never experienced setbacks, it's really hard to deal with. He never had to deal with that until he got to the point where he was a year ago, where he was the starting guy. He was the guy who was in charge, and he was the guy responsible for everything going on out there. He had to go through a couple of tribulations to get to where he is today."

Tolzien's first five games were solid, throwing nine touchdowns and only three interceptions. The Badgers were 5-0 entering their most difficult two-week stretch against Ohio State and Iowa.

Tolzien then fell apart. He threw five interceptions, no touchdowns and was sacked 10 times in those two games, both double-digit losses. Tolzien failed his test as a starting quarterback, and took the losses hard.

"It's a huge motivation because I put the brunt of that on my shoulders," Tolzien said. "I turned the ball over, and that's not how we win games at Wisconsin. It's ball control and disciplined football and mistake-free football.

"But in a way I'm kind of glad that happened because hopefully I can grow from that experience and it won't happen again."

Tolzien, a Rolling Meadows, Ill. native, rebounded to post solid numbers the rest of the season. He led Wisconsin to a 10-3 record and a Champs Sports Bowl victory against Miami. He set Wisconsin records for season completion percentage (64.3 percent) and career passing efficiency (143.2). He passed for 2,812 yards and 16 TDs and was named honorable mention all-Big Ten last year.

But it's not about statistics with Bielema. Tolzien has grown into a leadership role and is more relaxed on the field, something that excites Bielema.

"When you talk to our other offensive players, they're so comfortable with him," Bielema said. "I remember walking behind (wide receiver) Nick Toon a year ago last spring, and I overheard Nick Toon say to a reporter that he's most intelligent quarterback he's ever been around. When you get other players on that side of the ball feeling that they know he's got the game plan, he's got the decisions, he's got the idea and he's able to put them in the right situation, that really goes a long way."