Wisconsin will meet with an audience for the first time since the Jan. 1 Capital One Bowl. The Badgers replenished offense and defense will meet in Camp Randall 3 p.m. Saturday.
The spring game is a chance for the Badgers to showcase their talent in a friendly scrimmage, offense against the defense. Last year the defense in their cardinal jerseys, trumped their white-garbed offensive opponents 61-47.
However, this season will look different for the Badger offense.
Quarterbacks
It was head coach Gary Andersen’s first display of management at Wisconsin. Although the offense seemed to struggle, last year was an exhibition of talents for redshirt junior quarterback Joel Stave and his receiving core. Stave was the starting quarterback for the Badgers in the 2013 season. Stave left the Capital One Bowl early due to a shoulder injury, a recurring affliction since breaking his collarbone. Senior Curt Phillips took over but was unable to turn the tides and the Badgers were beat, 34-24.
This year it appears as though the talents of another pigskin slinger may be displayed instead. This spring, Stave has had issues with his shoulder again. However, the Badgers are not short-staffed in the quarterback position. There are some familiar faces that will return to Camp Randall along with some new ones.
Redshirt junior Tanner McEvoy is back behind center for another shot at being the play caller. Early on in the 2013 season, McEvoy had been hyped as quarterback talent but earned his first letter with the Badgers after being moved to safety, where he played 11 games.
Another familiar face, redshirt sophomore Bart Houston will be gunning for the position this season. Houston played in two games last season, one against Tennessee Tech and the other against UMass. The young gun ended the season with a single pass for eight yards.
New to the party is freshman D.J. Gillins, practicing with the Badgers after early enlistment at Wisconsin. Gillins is a four star recruit, according to ESPN.com, and is also ranked as the No. 17 dual-threat quarterback.
The spring game is a chance for these players to prove their talents and win over the hearts of the loyal Badger fans.
“I think they’re really good quarterbacks,” Stave said about his competition. “They’ve done a really good job this spring, they’re good athletes, and they have really gotten a lot better this spring.”
Running backs
Entering into the spring game, the running back core will be short one athletic asset they utilized in the fall. Running back James White ended his career with the Badgers earning the recognition of being the No. 4 all-time in Wisconsin running back history with 4,015 yards.
His talents will be missed amongst both Badger fans and players. However, redshirt junior Melvin Gordon will be returning along with new running backs coach Thomas Brown.
Gordon led Wisconsin in last year’s spring game with 17 carries for 74 yards. He scored the one true rushing touchdown in the game, as the scoring is specialized to conform to the style of play. Last season Gordon led the Badgers in rushing yards, carrying the pig skin for 1,609 yards.
In this year’s match, Gordon’s efforts will be aided by the talents of sophomore running back Corey Clement. In his first season with the Badgers, Clement earned seven touchdowns and ran the ball for 547 yards.
“[Corey and I] just want to be considered as one of the top groups in the nation,” Gordon said. “We know there are a lot of guys out there and we want to be considered one of the top if not the best.”
