Freshman quarterback Alex Hornibrook’s status for the Big Ten championship game was largely in question all week thanks to a concussion suffered against the Goofs last weekend.
All of the doubt and the questionable status given to him yesterday can now be put to rest. Head coach Paul Chryst spoke to ESPN’s College GameDay this morning ahead of the B1G title game and had this to say about Hornibrook:
Paul Chryst to ESPN on QB Alex Hornibrook: "Each day he's improved, so I think he'll be ready to play."
— Derek Levarse (@TLdlevarse) December 3, 2016
It had been a bit of a rough start for Hornibrook before his injury against Minnesota, as he finished the game just 4 of 8 for 29 yards before being replaced by Bart Houston.
The senior came in and was a steadying force for the offense, going 9 of 14 for 123 yards as the Badgers rushed their way to victory in the Border Battle with the Goofs.
Should he be fully cleared, Hornibrook is likely to start the Big Ten championship game. It has been Chryst’s pattern to feel the game out with Hornibrook and give Houston the third series in the game should things not be going well.
Houston has also seen a series or two in the second half as needed, and generally speaking Chryst has rode the hot hand when it comes to quarterback play.
On the season, Wisconsin’s passing game hasn’t been spectacular. UW ranks ninth in passing yards per game (179.6) in the Big Ten, while also completing 60.1 percent of its passes to rank third in the conference.
Wisconsin’s ability to get the chains moving with its passing game is going to be key, so watching the health and crispness from Hornibrook is worth watching early on in this game.
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