MADISON, Wis. -- The maneuver was so subtle, so quick, that many people watching inside Lucas Oil Stadium or on television might have missed it. But, yes, Wisconsin receiver Jazz Peavy really did celebrate a catch during the Big Ten championship game three weeks ago by showing off the aptly named "jazz hands."

Peavy has developed into one of Wisconsin's most versatile offensive weapons without the need for much flash. Sometimes, however, a little flare goes a long way. And on the big stage, he simply couldn't resist. So, he waved slowly, palms in and out and fingers splayed after hauling in a 24-yard pass to the Penn State 3-yard line in the first quarter.

"I've been hearing it all season long," Peavy said. "'If you ever make a big play, just throw the jazz hands up.' Why not? I tried to do it once."

Peavy's revelry further revealed a quiet confidence and swagger that has materialized this season as the big plays have racked up. He'll again be a focal point of the offense when No. 8 Wisconsin (10-3) plays No. 15 Western Michigan (13-0) in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on Jan. 2.

This season, Peavy leads the Badgers in receptions (43), receiving yards (635) and touchdown catches (five). No other player has caught more than two touchdown passes this season. He also has become a critical component as a jet-sweep runner, using his speed to foil opponents on the edges. Peavy ranks fourth on the team with 268 rushing yards and a touchdown. Additionally, Peavy is Wisconsin's primary punt return man, having handled 17 of the team's 21 returns.

"I've gotten plenty more touchdowns than what I dreamed of this season," Peavy said. "I've got plenty more catches and yards than I had imagined for this season. It's just me accepting the fact that this is my role. It's going to be bigger than what I thought it would, and I decided to accept it and keep growing with it."

Peavy, a 6-foot, 184-pound redshirt junior from Kenosha, Wisconsin, said he set modest but realistic goals for himself this season, and that began with catching his first career touchdown pass. He entered the season having caught 20 career passes for 268 yards without a score, which irked him all offseason.

Last season, he was involved in a controversial late-game touchdown reversal against Northwestern that spoiled Wisconsin's comeback bid. Peavy appeared to catch a game-winning, 1-yard touchdown pass with 30 seconds remaining. But officials overturned the call and ruled that he did not have complete control of the ball despite taking four steps in the end zone before falling out of bounds. Northwestern went on to win the game 13-7.

"Right after that, it was motivation, Peavy said. "My whole thing was, 'Just finish.' Finish all my catches and routes. I learned the hard way. The last thing you want to do is leave it in the hands of any official in any situation. If I leave it up to myself to make sure I finish everything, it wouldn't be a problem."

It became clear early in Wisconsin's season that Peavy would represent the Badgers' most significant downfield threat alongside senior wide receiver Rob Wheelwright. Peavy recorded his first career 100-yard receiving game in Week 2 when he caught seven passes for 100 yards with two touchdowns against Akron.

He showcased his rushing talent when he dominated Ohio State with jet sweeps, running for 67 of his 70 yards in the first half. Peavy also caught a 24-yard first-quarter touchdown against the Buckeyes. In the regular-season finale against Minnesota, he broke off a 71-yard run and finished with a career-high 83 rushing yards.

Peavy has been responsible for 15 plays this season that have gained at least 20 yards, with four coming on runs. No other Badgers player has more than 10 plays from scrimmage of at least 20 yards.

"Being able to contribute as much as he has this year has been great," Wheelwright said. "It's been a confidence booster, him growing into the athlete and the playmaker he has been from the jump. But he's been able to showcase that in big games and been dependable. Guys can depend on him to make a play, regardless if that's running the ball or catching the ball. He's liked the role he's had, and I think he's really stepping into being a leader."

That leadership role is one Peavy already is thinking about for next season, when Wheelwright will be gone. Peavy will be Wisconsin's most experienced wide receiver as a fifth-year senior. The Badgers' three other returning wide receivers with playing experience -- George Rushing, Quintez Cephus and A.J. Taylor -- have combined this season for 17 catches for 256 yards and no touchdowns.

"I think about it to myself sometimes and it's like I never really imagined being here, and now that I'm here, it's surreal, but it's real at the same time," Peavy said. "I've got to accept it and realize the position I'm in and what it takes to keep progressing and growing and becoming better."

Now, back to those jazz hands, which wouldn't make much sense without Peavy's first name. Peavy said his name is the product of a nickname friends used to call his father, Jeff. His adolescence happened to coincide with the rise of DJ Jazzy Jeff, a hip-hop artist who recorded several hit songs with "The Fresh Prince" Will Smith, and often appeared on "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air."

"So Jazz kind of stuck around," Peavy said. "But my mom was the one who decided, 'Let's name him Jazz,' so I'll give the credit to her for that. She said she liked the name."

If Peavy continues to hit the on-field notes in the way he believes is possible, he expects a significant senior-year progression -- and even more celebratory jazz hands in the future.

"Absolutely," he said. "There will be a few."