Football was back at Camp Randall this Saturday as 9,128 fans came to watch the annual UW Spring Game where the offense known as Team Abbrederis beat out the defensive team, Team Shobert, 28-22.
The Spring Game put a cap on the entire spring camp, where 15 practices put head coach Paul Chryst in a good position to understand what he has. It also served as the capstone to what he believed to be an impressive spring.
“Our team took advantage of the opportunities to get better,” Chyrst said in reference to the spring practice portion of the year. “The Spring Game, if nothing else provides a stage where every single member of the team can show how much they have improved to the entire fan base.”
After twenty-five minutes of various position drills, the offense and defense took the field to square off in two fifteen minute quarters. The scoring system was such that instead of two whole teams as it has been in the past. The offense went up against the defense the entire time.
The first drive of the game was led by fifth year senior Bart Houston under center. Houston completed two passes on the drive that went seventy yards, and was capped off by a Corey Clement touchdown.
Clement only played that first possession, but went for 36 yards and a touchdown in his five carries. The running back, who was sidelined most of last year, returns healthier than ever and will undoubtedly by Wisconsin’s number one option out of the backfield.
The running back position has great depth this upcoming fall with Dare Ogunbowale as the other running back complimenting Clement. Dare who had limited reps looked quick and explosive with his cuts. He plans to have an impact come Fall.
“I hope this season I can build on (his past success) and keep growing as a running back but also help the offense help the team win on Saturdays,” Ogunbowale said. “That’s my goal.”
The two players getting the brunt of the carries Saturday were sophomore Taiwan Deal and redshirt freshman Bradrick Shaw. While both had solid games, Shaw had a couple more big plays, breaking away into the secondary on multiple occasions.
“Bradrick and Taiwan were able to take advantage of a lot of work this spring,” Chryst said. “(the position) will surely be deeper this fall.”
The story of the day, however, quickly changed as freshman quarterback Alex Hornibrook took the field with the second string offense. After a bit of a sluggish start, the left-handed freshman dropped back and threw a beautiful 46-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver George Rushing.
Hornibrook, who had been falling behind Houston according to reports from spring practice, looked poised in the pocket completing nice easy passes and connecting on a second big touchdown throw to Rushing — going for 43 yards this time.
Later in the game Hornibrook hit on yet another deep ball, going for a 34 yard gain.
It was that ability to stretch the field and be accurate deep that stood out the most between the two quarterbacks.
“It was fun to be in front of the fans and everything,” said Hornibrook after the game, subtly downplaying the potential quarterback competition between Houston and himself. “Me and Bart have kinda been focusing on our own development, haven’t really been thinking about that (competition), but I think I have progressed a little bit over the spring.”
Houston said he was impressed with Hornibrook’s ability to pick up the playbook so fast and that he personally looks forward to the competition for QB1 to continue throughout the summer and into early fall.
Chryst dispelled the early thoughts of a competition reiterating that it is a spring game and in regards to both quarterbacks, “I told them ‘We are not where we want to be’ but I don’t think they aren’t behind schedule.”
Almost lost in all of the talk of Hornibrook was the play of Rushing, who is fighting to emerge as the Badgers’ third wide receiver behind Rob Wheelwright and Jazz Peavy.
“I felt confident out there,” said Rushing after the game Saturday. “I feel like today is the start of something great.”
On the defensive side of the ball, Badger fans got a look at the new Justin Wilcox defense. The linebacking core of T.J Watt, Chris Orr, Jack Cichy and Vince Biegel looked solid as ever. It is at a different position Coach Chryst says will be a major focus.
“The front seven (on defense) is pretty well set.” said Chryst, “The safety positions, that is one position of defense that is to be determined, and that will be in camp.”
While the defense had an uphill battle in terms of points, a late fumble by Deal and an interception by sophomore walk on quarterback Bobby Dunn, brought the group to within three points within the final minute of the scrimmage.
Hornibrook took the offense to the six yard line but threw a for sure pick-six ball that safety Keelon Brookins juggled and dropped. Andrew Endicott tacked on a field goal and the offense secured the victory.
Badger fans leave the Spring Game with just a small taste of what is to come this upcoming fall at the camp, but one thing is for sure for Chryst:
“This goes for the whole team, we have to have a great summer.”
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