One of the best ways for University of Wisconsin running backs coach John Settle to determine how well his players have absorbed all the film they've watched is to review the weekly scouting reports he requires them to write.

After reading one from John Clay two weeks ago, Settle knew the sophomore tailback was seeing things differently than he had in the past. Clay wrote a detailed report on Iowa's defense that included astute observations and proved he was prepared heading into the Oct. 17 game against the Hawkeyes at Camp Randall Stadium.

So it was no surprise to Settle when Clay played perhaps his best football as a UW player before an injury slowed him down midway through the second quarter of the Badgers' 20-10 loss to the Hawkeyes.

"He had been watching film," Settle said. "He studied and he understood where everybody fit. I like the step that he took."

Like a lot of young players, Clay wasn't seeing the entire picture when it came time to watch an opponent's game film. Settle said the biggest difference he noticed before the game against the Hawkeyes was that Clay was able to identify subtleties in some of the Iowa players' games. Clay pointed out things like which linebackers were the best at getting off blocks and whether members of the secondary preferred to cut out a runner's legs or attack their upper body.

Even Clay himself could tell something was different.

"I felt very comfortable," Clay said. "I was very confident in myself and not second-guessing anything."

It showed early in the Iowa game as Clay produced 68 yards on his first 12 carries, including three of 12 yards or more. But Clay injured his right ankle on a 7-yard gain in the second quarter when he fell awkwardly over Hawkeyes linebacker A.J. Edds after being pushed back by linebacker Pat Angerer.

Clay wasn't the same thereafter, finishing with just 7 yards on his final nine carries.

"I was kind of hesitant, kind of timid to cut on my ankle just because of how I felt after the big hit I took," he said.

Settle expects Clay to bounce back Saturday when the Badgers (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) host Purdue, which is ninth in the Big Ten in rushing defense at 156.2 yards per game and has allowed a league-worst 18 rushing touchdowns this season.

As was the case during the week leading up to the Iowa game, Settle said Tuesday he's seen more focus from Clay during preparations for the Boilermakers (3-5, 2-2).

"I like where he is," Settle said. "I think he's going to be ready to go this weekend."

Clay leads the Big Ten with 102.3 rushing yards per game and seven rushing touchdowns, but he's been held to a combined 134 yards and no touchdowns in back-to-back losses to Ohio State and Iowa. He has averaged just 3.3 yards per carry in those games.

The bye week came at a good time for Clay, who could rest his ankle and recharge his batteries for the stretch run. How strong he finishes may go a long way in determining how well the Badgers finish, a challenge Settle has issued to his star tailback.

"We have four crucial conference games coming up, and he's a guy we plan on riding," Settle said of Clay, who is averaging a league-high 21.9 carries per game. "We'd like to put it on his shoulders. I think from watching him and listening to him, all signs point to the fact he's going to have a strong finish."

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