Three-plus years after he arrived at Wisconsin as a highly touted linebacker prospect - and finally free of the shoulder woes that limited his growth - Kevin Rouse appears to have found a home.
"I think Kevin's found a nice little niche for us in that package," coach Bret Bielema said.
Bielema was referring to the 3-3-5 alignment (Badger package) defensive coordinator Dave Doeren relies on in obvious passing situations.
Rouse, senior Blake Sorensen and sophomore Chris Borland formed the linebacker trio in the 3-3-5 in the opener at Nevada-Las Vegas. Borland sacked UNLV quarterback Mike Clausen for a 6-yard loss on third down on the Rebels' first series.
Rouse followed with a sack for a 10-yard loss on the Rebels' second series.
"He's got a lot of speed, so he is a good blitzer and he is good in coverage," Borland said of Rouse. "Those are two things you do at his position on that package so it is great for him."
UW's offense drove 46 yards for a touchdown after Borland's sack. Although the Badgers failed to capitalize after Rouse's sack, that play matched his tackle total of one from the four games he played last season.
"There was a lot of, not anxiety," Bielema said, "but just happiness for him when I saw him make that play because he'd done so much."
Happiness because the redshirt junior from Joliet (Ill.) Catholic had endured so much since choosing UW over Iowa in 2007.
Rouse, 6-foot and 230 pounds, was an All-American as a senior at Joliet. He recorded 115 tackles, including 21 for loss, in his final season.
"Kevin was a highly recruited kid," Bielema said. "He came from a great high school program."
However, when Rouse arrived on campus he was about 10 pounds overweight at 240 pounds and redshirted. He missed the 2008 season after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder (torn labrum).
"Of course it was frustrating," Rouse acknowledged. "It's something I never had to deal with. I never missed games when I was a kid. I've been playing since first grade . . .
"It definitely was a setback, but I feel like I can't use that as an excuse or say that is why I was behind the curve."
While Mike Taylor and Borland emerged as freshmen last season, Rouse was still trying to get into peak condition and learning to fight off blocks again.
Then in the spring, Taylor and Borland were out while recovering from knee and shoulder injuries, respectively. Rouse worked with the No. 1 unit and finally began getting comfortable.
"It's been a long time coming just to be healthy," Rouse said. "I had the opportunity to get work in the spring and it helped build the mental part of my game up and be confident on the field."
Taylor hopes to make his season debut Saturday against San Jose State, in a reserve role. Borland, who tweaked his surgically repaired right shoulder in the opener, probably will be held out.
"I want to play, but I don't want to hurt the team if I can't perform or hurt it further for the rest of the season," he said. "We don't want to turn a mole hill into a mountain."
Doeren sees Rouse's role as similar to that of Sorensen, who became an integral part of the 3-3-5 last season.
"It gives him something to make his," Doeren said. "He doesn't have to master the whole defense, but he can master a part of it and really own what happens on those down and distances.
"He can run, so it gives him something he can be good at and not have a lot of thinking."
Rouse acknowledged his thought process has changed since his arrival at UW.
"I used to think too individually, I feel," he said. "I was worried too much about my own playing time.
"Now I just want to help the team win. I've got two seasons left and I just want to win.
"Whatever it takes."
