While spring football practice has drawn to a close, the battle to be Wisconsin's starting quarterback is heating up, although only to temperatures that are lukewarm at best.
Struggling to adapt to new co-offensive coordinator Paul Chryst's timing-based passing attack, junior John Stocco and sophomore Tyler Donovan combined to complete just 20 of 51 pass attempts for 245 yards against an inexperienced Badger defense. Neither stood out, as Stocco was an inconsistent 13 of 29 for 158 yards, with a touchdown and two interceptions against the No. 2 defense, while Donovan managed just one of eight for six yards against the No. 1 Badger defense in the first half before improving to six of 14 for 81 yards and one TD against the backups in the second half.
The quarterbacks' lackluster performance, combined with a rushing attack that managed just 98 yards on 41 carries, impressed few in the subdued crowd at Madison La Follette High School at Lussier Stadium. Head coach Barry Alvarez is not worried about his offense's sloppy outing Saturday.
\This is a practice,"" Alvarez said. ""To classify a practice 'ugly' ... I guess sometimes people don't understand what we're trying to accomplish. We're trying to teach some things, and it's not like a game on Saturday.""
While Alvarez indicated he thought Saturday was a good learning experience for the quarterbacks, he is looking for more from the passing game.
""We've got to improve, and I think those guys will spend time this summer learning our new system as far as pre-snap reads and knowing where to go with the ball.""
However, when pressed to declare whether Donovan or Stocco would be calling the majority of the snaps, Alvarez kept it vague.
""Stocco clearly had the best spring of our quarterbacks, but I just think Tyler has some athletic ability,"" he said. ""We as coaches have to try to find a way to use those abilities and give us another threat.""
With a full season under his belt, Stocco has the early edge based on experience. But he knows the pressure will be on him to improve from the dismal end to UW's season. The offense managed just 42 points in its last three games, all losses, and the shares of criticism Stocco received throughout the season increased dramatically.
""When we were 9-0, I'm still taking heat from people, so that's something that now I just forget about,"" he said. ""That's just the way it goes around here.""
Stocco said any competition from Donovan will be welcomed.
""[Quarterbacks] Coach [Jeff] Horton wants the best guy to play, and that's good for everybody,"" he said. ""I don't need any extra incentive to try to get better, but it is good to have that.""
Meanwhile, Donovan expressed gratitude that the head coach has bigger plans for him this fall.
""With the time you put in a program and that kind of thing, it's something that you love to hear,"" he said.
Senior wide receiver Jonathan Orr said he is looking forward to mastering the timing routes with both quarterbacks, and he seemed unconcerned over whether it will be Stocco or Donovan come fall.
""We've got to work on some of the timing,"" Orr said. ""I think [the chemistry with the quarterbacks] has definitely increased a lot since the offseason began. The more and more reps, the better and better the chemistry gets.\
