And then there was one. In spring 2005, four guys were slotted to be regulars on the defensive front for defensive line coach John Palermo and the Wisconsin Badgers. Of those four, only one now remains: true sophomore and starting defensive tackle Nick Hayden.

Entering the season, Hayden was supposed to be part of a new-look defensive line, joining classmates Justin Ostrowski and Jamal Cooper, as well as junior Joe Monty, in the difficult task of replacing the 2004 defensive front, but injuries have derailed that plan.

Ostrowski and Cooper have both been lost for the season, and Monty's season remains in limbo after a severe injury against Minnesota. Couple that with a sprinkling of injuries throughout the year to several backups, including Kurt Ware and Jason Chapman, and

suddenly Hayden has become the centerpiece of a line originally scheduled to be led by committee.

"I just try to be the best player on the field," Hayden said. "I've got to always fulfill my responsibility and make plays."

And make plays he has. The Hartland, Wis., native has been a consistent threat for the UW defense all season, recording 34 tackles, two-and-a-half sacks, a forced fumble and a pass defended. But looking past the numbers, it's Hayden's athletic array of moves that makes the 6-foot-5, 302-pound sophomore such a disruptive force.

"I like to fake one way and then spin [my body] inside," Hayden said. "Whatever works, I guess, to get to [the quarterback]."

Though he's on an accelerated curve due to the glut of injuries, Hayden's progress lies in the capable hands of Palermo. Saying Palermo knows a thing or two about developing defensive linemen is a bit of an understatement. The long-time assistant coach has a history of molding young men into solid defensive linemen, a list that includes Wendell Bryant, Tarek Saleh and Erasmus James. And listening to Hayden talk about his game, it's clear he has bought into his coach's philosophy.

"I always have stuff to improve on," Hayden said. "My feet, my pad level — you know, I always have something to improve on, almost everything, actually, just to be a better player."

Unfortunately for the Badgers, Hayden's maturation has come at a time of struggle for the Badger defense. In the past two weeks, the Wisconsin defense has allowed 85 points, more than 1,100 yards of total offense, with 700 yards coming on the ground.

"We've had little downfalls in the last two games," Hayden said, "but we just got to keep coming out, just keep coming to play."

With the outbreak of injuries along the front this year, it would be hard not to think about who might be the next one to go down. Yet Hayden, despite watching the injury bug drop linemen to the left and right of him, remains focused, refusing to delve too deeply into the idea that he may be next.

"I'm not concerned about getting injured," Hayden said. "I hope it never happens to me. You do what you got to do and as long as I do my responsibility, I just don't worry about it much."

It has been a long season for this team already, and one can only wonder how well it can hold up.

"Hopefully we all get better and can play, but you've got to trust every player in the line you're playing with and guys coming in for the injured step it up and are doing a great job," Hayden said.

So, with his role expanded from starter to starter-and-mentor, Nick Hayden's growth as a player continues. The big guy will continue to press forward, seeking to make the big hit and carry the line on his broad shoulders. But for now, Hayden is going to be a workhorse for this Badger team.

"I'm not too tired for this," Hayden said. "You can't be."

— Adam Parks contributed to this report.