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Passing game turns the corner against Western Illinois (Audio)

By

Alex Erickson

Alex Erickson

When Western Illinois loaded the box to try to stop the Wisconsin Badgers running game, the passing game had the perfect opportunity to show they could do better than the 50-yard performance the week before in a loss to LSU.

Tanner McEvoy and his receivers answered the bell.

Western Illinois held Melvin Gordon to 38 yards on 17 carries, but McEvoy completed 23 of 28 for 283 yards and three touchdowns to lead Wisconsin to a 37-3 win over the Leathernecks.  Those numbers could have been better had Reggie Love held onto a deep pass that should have resulted in a 67-yard touchdown.

McEvoy’s top target was redshirt sophomore wide receiver Alex Erickson, who caught 10 passes for 122 yards.

Senior tight end Sam Arneson added four catches for 87 yards.

Western Illinois did move the ball early against the Badgers, but committed two turnovers.  They finished with 162 yards in all.

The Badgers improved to 1-1 with the victory and get a bye week off.  They’ll face Bowling Green next, on September 20th at Camp Randall Stadium.

AUDIO: Alex Erickson on UW’s success in the passing game :12

AUDIO: Gary Andersen on Tanner McEvoy’s performance :19

Stave not hurt afterall

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Joel Stave - Photo by David Stluka

Joel Stave – Photo by David Stluka

On Tuesday, Wisconsin officials said quarterback Joel Stave would be out indefinitely because of persistent issues with his right shoulder.

Later the same day, Badger coach Gary Andersen and Stave told reporters that the redshirt junior had no physical problems, but remains out because of recent poor practice performances.

Stave insisted that he is not experiencing shoulder pain like he did in April when he missed the final week of spring practices.  That pain was the result of the injury that Stave suffered in Wisconsin’s 34-24 loss to South Carolina in the Capital One Bowl.

Stave said he just hasn’t thrown the ball the way he’d like to.

According to coach Gary Andersen, when the Badgers host Western Illinois on Saturday at Camp Randall, Tanner McEvoy will remain the starter and Bart Houston will move up to number two.

Houston played in two games last season.

Badgers falter in second half, lose to LSU

By

Gary Andersen

Gary Andersen

The first 35 minutes on Saturday night was looking like the Wisconsin Badgers would leave Houston with a season opening upset victory over LSU.  Unfortunately, the last 25 minutes was all LSU and the Tigers pulled away for a 28-24 victory.

The 13th ranked Tigers came from 17 points down to stun the Badgers.  They scored 21 straight points after Corey Clement’s TD run gave Wisconsin a 24-7 victory.  Just prior to that score, Melvin Gordon’s 63-yard run gave the Badgers 1st and 10 at the 12.

It was not a good night for Tanner McEvoy and the Badger passing game.  McEvoy finished 8 of 24 for 50 yards and two interceptions.  He rushed six more times for 40 yards.

Badger fans were wondering why coach Gary Andersen didn’t make the switch to last years starter Joel Stave.

AUDIO: Gary Andersen asked if he thought to put Joel Stave into the game :05

Andersen had little explanation for the lack of carries for Melvin Gordon.  He finished with 16 carries for 147 yards and a touchdown, but only three carries in the second half [Read more…]

Badgers kick off season tonight

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Melvin Gordon - Photo: David Stluka

Melvin Gordon – Photo: David Stluka

The Wisconsin Badgers can make a major statement tonight when they open the college football season against LSU at NRG Stadium in Houston tonight (8pm).

Redshirt junior Tanner McEvoy is set to make his first start at quarterback for the Badgers.  The last time he started a game at quarterback came during his only season at Arizona Western College in the 2012 El Toro Bowl.  He started three games for the Badgers last season at safety.

Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen wants a quarterback that is a dual threat, being able to run as well as pass.  McEvoy has the running part down, but how will he do throwing the football.  The Badgers success tonight may greatly depend on it.

But Wisconsin’s bread and butter is still their running game and they feature an offensive line with plenty of experience.  That line will be blocking for Heisman Trophy candidate Melvin Gordon, and Corey Clement, who will share time with Gordon this season.

While the quarterback position is going through some change, the biggest change comes on defense where the Badgers feature a new front seven.  That unit will be tested by LSU’s veteran offensive line and talented running backs.  LSU hasn’t settled on a quarterback.  Freshman Brandon Harris and sophomore Anthony Jennings will both play against the Badgers tonight.

LSU’s lack of experience at quarterback could be the difference for the Badgers, who are trying to pull off the upset.  Wisconsin enters the game as a 5 1/2 point underdog.

 

Andersen remains quiet on Badgers starting QB

By

Gary Andersen

Gary Andersen

The Wisconsin Badgers kick off the 2014 season against LSU in four days.  Head coach Gary Andersen said a week ago that he planned to keep the Badgers starting quarterback a secret until then and he’s sticking to that plan.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported last Friday that Tanner McEvoy will make the start on Saturday night, leaving last years starter, Joel Stave as the backup.  But Andersen on Monday maintained that the Badgers haven’t made the selection yet.

Andersen also told reporters at his Monday press conference that both quarterbacks could see playing time this season.

Andersen said, “We’ve got two quarterbacks that I think are going to help this football team throughout the year.  And whoever takes the first snap doesn’t necessarily say he is going to be the guy for the whole season.”

Stave started all 13 games for the Badgers last season, while McEvoy’s last game as a starting quarterback came in 2012 at Arizona Western College.  McEvoy did start three games at safety for the Badgers last season and played in 10 overall.

AUDIO: Gary Andersen still isn’t saying who is QB will be :18

AUDIO: Gary Andersen says McEvoy has learned the offense well :22

 

McEvoy wins Badgers QB job

By

Tanner McEvoy

Tanner McEvoy

Wisconsin junior Tanner McEvoy has been tabbed the starting quarterback for the Badgers season opener against LSU at Houston next Saturday night.

McEvoy was chosen over incumbant Joel Stave, a junior who started all 13 games last season and 19 games overall.  It’s the fourth straight year that the Badgers will start with a new quarterback.  Prior to Stave last year, the Badgers used Danny O’Brien, Russell Wilson and Scott Tolzien in season openers dating back to 2010.

Coach Gary Andersen did suggest last week that both quarterbacks could see time this season, suggesting that each quarterback would have a special package of plays designed for their skills.

But the Badgers have decided the 6’6, 222 pound McEvoy gives them more of a dual threat in both the run and pass games.  Andersen has made no secret about his desire to feature a multidimensional quarterback who can attack the edges and force opponents to defend against the run and pass.

 

Stave sidelined by sore shoulder

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Wisconsin junior quarterback Joel Stave has been shutdown for the rest of spring practice because of the shoulder injury he suffered in the Capitol One Bowl.

That gives junior college transfer Tanner McEvoy a chance to shine in

Tanner McEvoy

Tanner McEvoy

Saturday’s spring game.

McEvoy struggled at quarterback when he first joined the Badgers last fall and was moved to wide receiver.  A broken wrist forced him to move to defense, where he played safety and started a couple of games.

Now, McEvoy is back at quarterback, competing with Stave, Bart Houston, Connor Senger and D-J Gillens.  McEvoy worked exclusively with the No. 1 offense during practice on Tuesday.

AUDIO: McEvoy on how this year at QB is different :16

AUDIO: McEvoy on what he wants to get out of Saturday’s scrimmage :14

Wisconsin has two more practices this spring, Thursday and the annual spring game at 3pm on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.

 

Stave’s work limited early in spring camp (AUDIO)

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The Wisconsin Badger football team opened spring drills on Wednesday in

Joel Stave

Joel Stave

Madison and quarterback Joel Stave, who hurt his right shoulder in the Capital One Bowl on New Year’s Day, will be limited early on.

Bart Houston, Tanner McEvoy and freshman D.J. Gillins took the bulk of the reps in practice on Wednesday as Stave left early to attend a class.

McEvoy wound up playing safety for the Badgers last season, but was throwing the ball well yesterday.  So did Houston who showed off his strong arm during the workout.

AUDIO: Gary Anderson said Stave will be limited :17

AUDIO: Gary Anderson on QB Bart Houston :12

AUDIO: Gary Anderson on how Tanner McEvoy looked :11

Spring workouts continue, with the annual spring game to be played on April 12th in Madison.

 

McEvoy could play some defense too

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Wisconsin football coach Gary Anderson told Big Ten Conference reporters today that

Gary Anderson

Gary Anderson

not only is backup quarterback Tanner McEvoy going to see some time at wide receiver this season, but there’s a chance he could play some defense as well.

McEvoy played wide receiver and defensive back at Bergen Catholic High School in New Jersey.

He recorded 49 tackles and 3 interceptions and caught 35 passes for 550 yards and three touchdowns before switching to quarterback for his senior season.

Jacobs could land time with the Badgers

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Freshman outside linebacker Leon Jacobs has been so impressive that Wisconsin coach

Leon Jacobs

Leon Jacobs

Gary Anderson could be counting on him right from the start in Madison.

Jacobs played just two seasons in high school before signing to play at Wisconsin.

During the Badgers training camp scrimmage on Monday, Jacobs had one of the best days of any player on the field.

AUDIO: Gary Anderson says Jacobs will play :22

Jacobs played high school football in California as a freshman, then took two years off to concentrate on basketball.  He returned to football for his senior season. [Read more…]