Wisconsin senior defensive end Matt Shaughnessy has been named to the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, the Football Writers Association of America announced today. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is awarded annually to the best defensive player in college football and sponsored by the Charlotte Touchdown Club.

Shaughnessy was a consensus second-team All-Big Ten selection and UW's defensive MVP last season after finishing fourth in the league with 18.0 tackles for loss. He led all Badger defensive linemen with 60 tackles and was named co-Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after recording seven tackles, including 2.5 TFLs, in Wisconsin's win over Michigan.

Shaughnessy, who has started 26 consecutive games at defensive end for Wisconsin, suffered a broken bone in his right leg during spring practice but is expected to be back for the start of fall camp. He joins linebacker Jonathan Casillas (Lott Trophy) and offensive lineman Kraig Urbik (Outland Trophy) as Badgers that appear on preseason watch lists.

The FWAA All-America Committee selects the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner from the association's 11-man All-America defensive team in November. The 88-player watch list was developed by the FWAA All-America committee with the help of the schools and conferences.

The Charlotte Touchdown Club will hold the 2008 banquet on Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte.

Homecoming set

A kickoff time is now set for Wisconsin's 2008 Homecoming football game.

The Badgers and Illinois will square off in Camp Randall Stadium at 11 a.m. CT in the UW's annual Homecoming game on Oct. 25. The contest will be televised live by ESPN, ESPN2 or the Big Ten Network, with the precise TV information becoming available 6-12 days in advance of the game.

It will be the first time since 1990 that the Fighting Illini will visit Madison as the Badgers' Homecoming opponent.