Notes: Hill might be up and running for Outback Bowl

Madison - Less than two weeks ago, it appeared tailback P.J. Hill would not be healthy enough to play in the 2008 Outback Bowl.

His prognosis has changed dramatically and on Monday University of Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema sounded optimistic that P.J. Hill could give UW three viable tailback options against Tennessee.

"P.J. really, the last two practices, has been as good as we've seen him since the time of the injury," Bielema said after practice. "We're excited about that."

Bielema's revelation came with a caveat. He wants to see P.J. Hill, who missed 13 of the last 15 quarters of the regular season because of a leg injury suffered in the first quarter against Indiana in Week 9, stay on the practice field for an extended period of time.

UW is set to practice twice more this week before leaving on Christmas Day for Tampa. The Badgers are scheduled to hold five practices and a walk-through in Tampa.

"P.J. just has to be able to put through a consistent amount of work for a long time," Bielema said.

Freshman Zach Brown, who started the last three regular-season games and rushed 76 times for 421 yards and four touchdowns in those games, remains the leading contender to start against Tennessee in the bowl game.

"Zach has got the upper hand there," Bielema said. "He has continued to do a lot of good things."

Sophomore Lance Smith played well in the home finale, rushing 10 times for 52 yards before suffering a shoulder injury late in the first half. He has been practicing and is expected to play in Tampa. His average of 6.2 yards per carry is No. 1 among the team's tailbacks.

P.J. Hill has rushed for 1,080 yards and 14 touchdowns. However, his only action since suffering the injury to his left leg came in the second half against Michigan when he rushed five times for 14 yards and clearly wasn't at full strength. P.J. Hill initially broke the leg during preseason camp in 2005 and doctors inserted a plate in the leg.

"It was something that needed time to heal," Bielema said of the latest injury. "He is the only guy that went through that surgery. He is the only one who has got that plate in his leg.

"The biggest thing is, he has been able to survive it."

P.J. Hill has not been made available for interviews during bowl practices.

Don't mess with success

Junior right tackle Eric Vanden Heuvel, who missed the final two games after suffering a foot/ankle injury at Ohio State, is back at practice. However, he is working with the second unit and has also been getting work at right guard.

When Vanden Heuvel was out, the staff shifted Kraig Urbik from right guard to right tackle and went with John Moffitt at left guard and Andy Kemp at right guard.

That trio, along with Gabe Carimi at left tackle and Marcus Coleman at center, played well against Michigan and Minnesota, and the staff doesn't see the need to change back.

"We've just expanded our depth a little bit," Bielema said. "It wasn't so much what Kraig did, it was what Moffitt did at guard. He gave us a little bit more athleticism and the biggest thing is it gave us more depth."

Knowing that Coleman must be replaced after the bowl game, the staff has also given Moffitt time at center.

Beckum progressing

Tight end Travis Beckum, who suffered a shoulder injury in the regular-season finale at Minnesota, is practicing without restrictions.

He had been wearing a green "no-contact" jersey.

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