MADISON, Wis. -- To watch Austin Ramesh and Alec Ingold shred defenses across high school football fields in Wisconsin was to witness athleticism, brute force and sheer dominance rarely seen in the state. By the time they finished their respective prep careers, the pair had rushed for an astounding 10,147 yards and 121 touchdowns combined. Even video gamers would have a hard time replicating such success.
That both Ramesh and Ingold are college teammates playing the same position at the University of Wisconsin isn't a surprise. The real intrigue lies in the fact that position isn't running back. Instead, they are fortunate to earn two carries per game as the primary fullbacks in the Badgers' punishing, downhill, pro-style offense.
Taking on a role that primarily features blocking for someone else to gain all those yards and touchdowns requires selflessness and a team-first attitude that suits both players. It also has made a tremendous difference in the Badgers' rise to a New Year's Six bowl.
"It's definitely a humbling experience to play the position," Ramesh said. "We're not recognized that much on TV, but we get a lot of praise around the locker room."
Ramesh and Ingold have become two of the most important pieces to Wisconsin's success, even if their contributions aren't particularly well known to Big Ten fans. The fullbacks will once again be a significant part of the game plan when No. 8 Wisconsin (10-3) plays No. 15 Western Michigan (13-0) in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on Jan. 2.
Ramesh finished his high school career in 2013 with 5,939 rushing yards, the third most in state history, while Ingold was named Wisconsin's Gatorade Player of the Year in 2014. But Wisconsin recruits some of the top running backs in the country each year, and both players initially projected out as linebackers for the Badgers.
Their toughness and knack for understanding the game prompted Wisconsin coaches to use them at fullback, and they have thrived with the responsibility. Each of the Badgers' previous two starting fullbacks, Bradie Ewing and Derek Watt, were NFL draft picks. And the value placed on playing the position at Wisconsin is not lost on Ramesh and Ingold.
"I feel like in a lot of places, the fullback is kind of a spot where a kid doesn't want to go to, doesn't want to play it," Ingold said. "And here you have such a rich history of so many guys going to the next level playing fullback that coaches might take a scout-team guy who's really showing some promise and say, 'Hey, we can use you at fullback and you can be a big part to our team.'
"I think that's where it kind of gets a little more special because coaches see you performing and put you there because they respect you -- not because it's like a shameful position to play."
Fullbacks in the Badgers' offense generally play half the team's offensive snaps. Ramesh and Ingold then split those snaps evenly by rotating series. The bulk of playing time requires taking on huge linemen or linebackers, and there is constant pressure to perform. One missed block can ruin a potentially big play and call attention to the fullback at inopportune moments. But Wisconsin's coaches also have wisely utilized both players in various short-yardage situations this season, taking advantage of how successful they were as high school tailbacks.
Ramesh, a junior, averages only 1.6 carriers per game. Ingold, a sophomore, averages 1.4 carries per contest. And collectively, they average 2.7 yards per attempt. Still, the results of those touches have made a substantial impact on Wisconsin's offense. Ramesh and Ingold have carried the ball a combined 34 times this season. Of those plays, 19 carries have resulted in either a first down or a touchdown.
"I'm pretty confident when it's third-and-1, I know who's getting the ball," Badgers running back Corey Clement said. "So we'll just give them a little belly [handoff], make them feel good. And that's what you want. You want to make them feel involved and a part of this team, too."
Ingold, in particular, has been dominant in short-yardage situations. He has carried 18 times this season, and 14 of those rushes have come in situations that required him to gain no more than 2 yards. During a four-game stretch against Northwestern, Illinois, Purdue and Minnesota, Ingold carried the ball 10 times. He gained first downs on seven carries and scored touchdowns on two other carries. Once, he recorded a first down on six consecutive rushing attempts over three games -- another reason the Badgers lead the FBS in time of possession.
"I think it's just the mentality our team has when it's third-and-1," Ingold said. "Our team isn't about the flashy plays, but it's about first downs and moving the chains. When it gets down to a third-and-1 situation, it's make or break. Between our offensive line and our backfield, I feel like we kind of thrive under that pressure to get what we need to get."
Wisconsin offensive coordinator Joe Rudolph joked that giving Ramesh and Ingold the ball proved playing their position wasn't an entirely thankless job. But he commended both players on their ability to flourish in all areas -- catching the ball out of the backfield, pass protecting, run blocking and ball carrying.
"They kind of fit in right with the O-line and the tight ends at times," Rudolph said. "You've got to be consistent, and that's the grind to get there and it's each play. But I really like what those two have done this year, and you've got those guys back. I expect that continued improvement."
The gaudy, video game-like numbers from high school are gone. But Ramesh and Ingold continue to excel, having accepted a less attention-grabbing -- though equally important -- role for the Badgers.
"Those guys come in every day, bang their heads against some other linebacker and we're the ones barely getting touched because they're doing such a great job of making sure the hits stay off of us," Clement said. "They really are the ones that face the most injuries because they're getting the stingers. They're getting rolled up. They're sacrificing their bodies. Those guys are definitely underrated."