In between momentum killers such as five minute delays to decide where to place the ball or senior running back Anthony Davis' injury that had all of the record-setting Camp Randall crowd holding their collective breaths, the No. 21 Badgers put on a pretty good game with minor mistakes and no career-threatening injuries.
Sophomore quarterback John Stocco raised the greatest questions heading into this season. After seeing minimal playing time last season playing backup to a backup (Matt Schabert), there was great uncertainty behind the anchor of the team.
Overall though, Stocco's debut seemed to erase most doubts. The young quarterback showed great poise and had a solid read of the field, staying on his feet and avoiding the sack and being able to get rid of the ball before losing any yards. Helped in large part by the dominating early performance of Davis, Stocco was able to get the Badgers the early lead and allowed his nerves presumably to settle for Stocco. Stocco himself said he wasn't nervous, but later admitted to some anxiety.
\Running down the tunnel ... that's always a rush. No matter how old you are, you get the jitters.""
The jitters were worked out early despite the fact that Stocco lacked the precision Jim Sorgi or Brooks Bollinger had. Although he struggled to connect with his receivers, going 8-for-18 in the game, he remained consistent.
""As a quarterback you have to have poise and you have to have confidence, otherwise you're not going to be a good quarterback,"" Stocco said.
Nonetheless, it was an impressive debut for someone with minimal experience and in such a high pressure location like Camp Randall. The minor mistakes seem ignorable given the strengths Stocco showed. Head coach Barry Alvarez was pleased with Stocco's progression during the game.
""He had a couple of missed snaps ... but he protected it,"" Alvarez said. ""In the passing game, I thought he managed the game and got stronger as it went on. He did play much better as the game went on.""
Stocco seemed to brush off questions about his own personal performance, saying that he has things to work on, but stressing the importance of getting the win-and to keep getting them.
""It feels good. I try to do whatever I can to help this team win. That's what it all comes down to.""
The early lead and Davis' injury allowed the Badgers to show off some of their freshmen. Marcus Randle El had three carries for 18 yards, Tyler Donovan had 4 for 64 yards and Chris Pressley went 8 for 27 yards.
""After you hand it to him [Randle El] a few times and you see that he can make some people miss you have to respect that, and that opens the cut-back up in the zone,"" Alvarez said.
On the defensive end, the Badgers shut down the Central Florida running game, limiting the Golden Knights to 53 yards. The Badgers were not as successful limiting UCF's yards in the air, but allowing only six points, it's hard to argue with success.
The Badgers welcomed back senior defensive end Erasmus James after a year long recovery from injury. James looked solid as did senior left tackle Anttaj Hawthorne who had his first career interception in the second quarterback, with the 305 lb.-Hawthorne returning the interception for 15 yards.
The Badgers begin to prepare for the second game of the non-conference schedule against UNLV, who last year embarassed the Badgers in the rain, holding UW to five points.
