TAMPA, Fla. -- This much was stated as a certainty by UW football coach Bret Bielema going into Tuesday's Outback Bowl: Freshman Zach Brown would start at running back, with sophomores P.J. Hill and Lance Smith in reserve.

At the end of the Badgers' 21-17 loss to Tennessee, the final rushing numbers looked decidedly one-sided.

Hill finished with 132 yards on 16 carries, with Brown (8-29) and Smith (6-23) offering support.

Hill, who missed most of the final three regular season games with a leg injury suffered against Indiana Oct. 27, finished his sophomore season with 1,212 yards, the 15th-highest total in school history.

"It's been a tough close to the year, those last four games (for Hill)," Bielema said. "Just being able to get back out there, you saw him probably gain momentum as the game wore on. PJ is a guy who likes to compete. Hopefully, that came through today and gets reinforced more and more."

Hill, who wasn't available to the media after the game, had a 50-yard run in the fourth quarter.

"We've seen PJ for two years do some special things, especially, what he was doing good at, inside runs, being able to get through a little hole with a little burst," Bielema said. "He ran out of gas on that long one, but he put himself in position there."

Brown had rushed for 108 yards against Michigan and 250 yards against Minnesota with Hill hobbled. Smith was making his first road trip of the season after serving a university-imposed suspension that left him in Madison for the Badgers' five regular-season road games.

"You just had to be ready when your name was called," Brown said. "This was like the first time all of us played together really, so it was something new. But at the same time, I think it was still effective."

Ike in 2008?

Junior cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu, who is considering making himself available for the NFL draft, made it sound after the game like he's leaning toward returning to UW next season.

"You always hope to play well, you always hope to have a bigger impact on your last game. You want to go out on top, you want to go out with a win, so that's definitely going to be weighing heavily on my mind," Ikegwuonu said. "I'm nowhere close to making a decision, so there 's so many things that I've got left to think about. It's definitely going to be something that I want to maybe come back and have some redemption for this game."

Ikegwuonu, who finished with one tackle against the Volunteers, has to make a decision whether to declare for the draft or remain at UW by Jan. 15. Junior tight end Travis Beckum has already announced he will return for his senior season.

"The 15th of January, that's probably when I'll make my decision. I don't see myself making it anytime sooner than that," Ikegwuonu said. "It's a really tough decision. I love to play in college, I love everything about college, especially the school I'm at. I'm a hometown kid, I grew up in Wisconsin, so it's going to be really hard to get me out of there."

Strickland starts

Senior cornerback Ben Strickland got the start at left cornerback after Bielema said Josh Nettles would likely be the starter leading up to the game.

"I had kind of just been told to prepare myself all week like I was going to be a starting corner, so I did," Strickland said. "I just made sure I got in, watched tape, got a feel for (Tennessee's) tendencies, and if my number was called, I was going to make the most of it."

Strickland held up well despite being targeted by Volunteers quarterback Erik Ainge, finishing with seven tackles in addition to his typical outstanding play on special teams (he downed a Ken DeBauche punt on the Tennessee 1-yard line.)

"Every time his name is called on, he's ready to go," junior linebacker Jonathan Casillas said of Strickland. "That 's just another case of that today."

Valai a safety net

Shortly after starting strong safety Aubrey Pleasant was beaten for a 29-yard touchdown pass from Ainge to receiver Josh Briscoe, he was replaced by freshman Jay Valai.

Valai made a jarring hit on Tennessee receiver Austin Rogers to force an incompletion on a second-and-9 from the UW 2 in the third quarter. Valai nearly made what appeared to be a crucial fumble recovery late in the third quarter, but it was overturned by instant replay. He also made a sure tackle on running back Arian Foster that forced a punt and gave the Badgers the ball back with 1:26 to play.

"To see him come out in his first real game time and do so well, it's kind of impressive and I feel good for him," UW linebacker DeAndre Levy said of Valai.

Extra points

UW is now 10-9 in bowl games. ... Freshman David Gilreath's 60-yard kickoff return in the first quarter was the longest for a Badger in a bowl game, bettering Michael Bennett's 54-yarder in the 2000 Sun Bowl. ... Senior tight end Andy Crooks ' second-quarter touchdown catch was his first reception of the season. ... Sophomore tight end Garrett Graham's seven catches and 75 yards both represented career bests. ... Senior kicker Taylor Mehlhaff's 27-yard field goal in the third quarter was his 21st of the season and the 50th of his career, which ties him with Rich Thompson for second on the school's career list.