Alabama players were in a celebratory mood after leaving Camp Randall Stadium with a 42-10 win over the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday.
One of those players is junior transfer wide receiver Germie Bernard. He had a pointed message while speaking with the assembled media postgame:
“Honestly, we had a tough week of practice listening to that jump song,” Bernard said. “We was ready to just shut that weak-a** jump song down.”
Related: Badgers fans, former players question program’s direction after blowout loss to No. 4 Alabama
Bernard had three catches for 55 yards and a touchdown on the afternoon — that score being a momentum-shifting 26-yard reception as the first-half clock was winding down.
In his words, Alabama did go on to ‘shut Jump Around down.’ It led 35-10 after three quarters of play. The Crimson Tide players then, to no surprise, seemed to enjoy the famous tradition more than anybody else in attendance. That has been Wisconsin’s reality far too often over the last few years.
Alabama WR Germie Bernard is tired of hearing Jump Around.
🗣️“Honestly, we had a tough week of practice listening to that jump song. We was ready to just shut that weak-ass jump song down.” pic.twitter.com/wuChfttwA7
— Tony Tsoukalas (@Tony_Tsoukalas) September 14, 2024
Bernard now has eight receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown through his first three games with Alabama.
He transferred in this offseason with head coach Kalen DeBoer from Washington. The former four-star recruit previously spent his freshman season at Michigan State in 2022. He returned one kickoff for 19 yards during the Spartans home win over the Badgers that season.
Bernard’s touchdown was part of a large collection of splash plays from the Crimson Tide on Saturday. They scored 28 points on four Wisconsin miscues, including his score that followed a Nathanial Vakos missed field goal.
Those splash plays build an insurmountable lead by halftime, led alone by the end of the third quarter. That resulted in another less-than-enthusiastic ‘Jump Around’ from Wisconsin’s students and fans.
Alabama players jump around during Jump Around pic.twitter.com/OytiNveT43
— Patrick Greenfield (@PCGreenfield) September 14, 2024
The Badgers’ once-feared home field advantage has slipped over the last few years. Notable humiliating home losses include 2021 vs. Michigan, 2022 vs. Illinois and Saturday against Alabama.
Wisconsin will need to find its form quickly entering Big Ten play. Home games against Oregon and Penn State still await. The Badgers need to rebuild their identity, which must start with better performances in front of the home fans.
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