It's Senior Day for Wisconsin's Chimere Dike, though he could return next year
MADISON – Garrett Groshek hasn’t suited up for Wisconsin in three years, but he continues to play through Chimere Dike.
Back in 2020 the former Badgers running back made an impression on the freshman out of Waukesha North High School. Groshek wasn't one of the stars of the team, but he climbed to the status of a captain by going about his business the right way. He inspired Dike to do the same.
“What I realized is you can be an example in how you approach every single day,” Dike said. “The work ethic you have – finishing routes, finishing with the ball in your hand, finishing blocks, being able to come out with a positive attitude each and every practice – that consistency that you show the younger players is really what impacts. That is what I try to bring every single day.”
It’s safe to say Dike has accomplished that mission. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound receiver is a four-year contributor who is serving as a captain this season.
The senior chatted with reporters this week in advance of the Badgers' Senior Day game versus Nebraska on Saturday night at Camp Randall Stadium, reflecting on the impact he hopes he has had on the program, his recent return from injury and his thoughts on state of the team as it tries to snap a three-game losing streak.
But first note that even though Dike will be one of 21 seniors honored he hasn’t decided if he’ll return next season. He still has his COVID year of eligibility available. He plans to make a decision after the season and didn’t want to miss Senior Day in case this does actually turns out to be his final home game.
“It’s a place that means a lot to me, being able to put in all the work over the years,” he said. “One of the best feelings in the world is running out at Camp Randall Stadium so having the opportunity to celebrate that with my family is something special.”
Returning to practice was theraputic for the Wisconsin Badgers
The festivities come as the Badgers (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) extended a losing streak that reached a low point last weekend with a 24-10 loss to Northwestern at home.
Some of the players said they wanted to see how their teammates responded this week. Who was buying in.
Dike liked what he saw from the team Tuesday.
“My mom asked me last night how we were feeling,” Dike said. “I literally told her one of the best things you can do is get back on the practice field after a tough loss because when you get things going, you get things moving to the next week (and) you get to compete again, it feels good for everybody.”
Wisconsin's Chimere Dike returned to action after injury sidelined him vs. Indiana
Dike suffered a right leg injury during a kickoff return Oct. 28 against Ohio State. He didn’t play against Indiana, the first game he missed in his career, but returned last week. He didn’t make a catch – one grab was nullified due to penalty – and was targeted twice. He also didn’t return punts or kicks and played with a brace on the injured leg.
Dike's goal this week is to help the offense execute at a level he believes it can.
“It’s frustrating when you don’t execute on the level that you want to and obviously we haven’t done that for the past several weeks,” he said. “I have confidence in the guys in our huddle. I’m just excited to go out there and compete these last two weeks.”
Dike ranks sixth on the team with catches (16) and third in receiving yards (282). His 17.6 yards per catch is the best on the team.
He is six catches from 100 for his career, but the example he hopes to leave deals more with his approach to the game.
“We have so many talented people and so many talented players, but what can separate you as a player is the work you put in every single day,” he said. “I try to be that consistent standard for the way to work and the way to approach every single day whether it’s a workout, whether its practice, whether it's meetings I want to be detailed oriented and I hope they take that from me.”
More: Nebraska leads the nation in turnovers lost. Can Wisconsin take advantage Saturday?
More: What is the Freedom Trophy? How Wisconsin-Nebraska Big Ten football game honors military
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin receiver Chimere Dike marks Senior Day but may return
