Wisconsin (3-2 Big Ten, 6-3 overall) lost more than just a game Saturday against Michigan State (2-3, 5-4), as redshirt freshman quarterback Joel Stave is expected to miss eight weeks with a broken clavicle.
The Greenfield, Wis., native left the field after taking a hit from Spartans’ junior defensive end William Gholston on the first series of the second half. Stave returned to the sideline during the game in a jacket but did not re-enter the game and was seen in an arm sling in the locker room after the game.
The Wisconsin offense moved the ball well against the Spartans' defense with Stave, who completed 9-of-11 passes for 127 yards and a 31-yard touchdown to redshirt junior tight end Jacob Pedersen.
Head coach Bret Bielema did mention at his Monday press conference that Stave's injury would be a non-surgical heal, but as of right now, Stave is looking at a recovery time of about eight weeks.
His performance before getting injured did not go unnoticed by Bielema, who said the quarterback “might have been playing his best game against probably the best defense we’ve faced up to this point.”
Stave had been impressive since taking over the starting spot at quarterback, passing for 1,104 yards along with six touchdowns and three interceptions through seven games. He won four of his six starts and helped stabilize the Badgers' offense after a disappointing start to the season.
Wisconsin hopes to have Stave ready by spring practices next season. It is the third time in his football career that Stave has broken his clavicle.
Stave was replaced Saturday by redshirt junior quarterback Danny O’Brien, who finished 5-of-11 for 44 yards through the air but lost 33 yards through sacks and negative runs.
O’Brien started the year as Wisconsin’s No. 1 quarterback, but after two games of ineffective play, he was replaced by Stave against Utah State.
