Paul Chryst talks Wisconsin's bowl bid to Duke's Mayo Bowl

After capping the 2020 season by keeping Paul Bunyan’s Axe in Madison for at least another year, Wisconsin has a chance to end the year with a win over Wake Forest on Dec. 30, in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.

The Badgers snapped a three-game losing streak by topping Minnesota 20-17 in overtime during their Big Ten Champions Week matchup.

Under head coach Paul Chryst, Wisconsin is 4-1 in bowl games, with their only loss just last year in the Rose Bowl to Oregon.

Wake Forest will bring their 4-4 record, and high-powered offense down the road to Charlotte. The Demon Deacons average 37 points and 453.3 yards per game, and running back Kenneth Walker III has 13 rushing touchdowns on the year.

Like UW, Wake Forest has had three games cancelled due to COVID-19 issues this season.

Monday, coach Chryst spoke to the media to discuss how the team will be preparing for the Demon Deacons, touched on quarterback Jack Coan’s decision to enter the transfer portal, as well as some other topics.

Below are some of his comments.

"Certainly excited to have one more game… at the beginning of the season we just wanted an opportunity to play. Grateful for the opportunity to play one more week with this group." – Paul Chryst, opening comments

— 🪓Bucky’s 5th Quarter🪓 (@B5Q) December 21, 2020

"The first time anything came up as far as his interest in possibly transferring was before the Iowa game." – Chryst, discussing the decision from quarterback Jack Coan to enter the transfer portal

— 🪓Bucky’s 5th Quarter🪓 (@B5Q) December 21, 2020

"I've always, and still do, appreciate Jack a ton… he got his degree and certainly helped us win a lot of games." – Chryst, discussing Jack Coan further.

— 🪓Bucky’s 5th Quarter🪓 (@B5Q) December 21, 2020

"I think we can sneak a little in and we're gonna. It's more like a long game week. Guys are still able to get a lot of work this week." – Chryst, on bowl prep and working in some younger guys over the next nine days.

— 🪓Bucky’s 5th Quarter🪓 (@B5Q) December 21, 2020

"It's a credit to him, people are taking notice of it. I've gone through that too. It's part of it, and it's a good part of it. It's only as much of a distraction as you make it." – Coach Chryst, discussing the pursuers of defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard

— 🪓Bucky’s 5th Quarter🪓 (@B5Q) December 21, 2020