Cap Times game blog: UW football spring game (final)
A number of high-profile young players saw their first live action at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, but the most notable thing about the University of Wisconsin football spring intrasquad game is that no one else got seriously hurt.
The Badgers, who by unofficial count had 26 players go down this spring, emerged largely unscathed in a rather pedestrian 28-3 victory by the Cardinal, which is comprised of first-stringers healthy enough to play.
Allan Evridge showed some poise in establishing himself as the front-runner for the starting quarterback job, completing 7-of-12 passes for 137 yards. But Dustin Scherer (5-of-8, 68) and even Scott Tolzien (4-of-8, 61 yards for the White) figure to make this a heated race well into training camp.
John Clay, the highly touted redshirt freshman running back, lived up to expectations as a powerful but raw workhorse. In running for 94 yards on 21 carries, he came away pleased with his first appearance at Camp Randall since leading Racine Park to a victory on this field in the 2006 WIAA Division 1 state title game.
Another Racine product -- Chris Maragos -- thrust himself into the mix in the defensive backfield with an impressive showing that included a first-half interception of Evridge.
Another name to watch in the not-too-distant future: Louis Nzegwu, the cousin of former Badgers cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu, who despite being on the light side at 6-foot-3, 231 pounds, likely will be in the rotation at defensive end.
The only injury of note Saturday was a leg bruise sustained by running back Zach Brown. X-rays proved negative, UW coach Bret Bielema said.
Look for more coverage from Capital Times football beat writer Jim Polzin later Saturday evening.
THAT'S A WRAP
Cardinal 28, White 3
SUNNY OUTLOOK
Greetings from Camp Randall Stadium ... site of today's intrasquad spring game.
Despite favorable weather conditions -- it's partly sunny and in the 60s -- this contest, as expected, is not drawing a massive crowd.
The east-side sections of the stadium are cordoned off; the west-side lower bowl is filling in somewhat, as is the section in front of the Field House.
But there's about as much enthusiasm here as at an Iowa-Indiana volleyball match. Sellout crowds are expected today in Florida and Nebraska for their spring games. At Wisconsin, this event never had that allure, but it's faded considerably over the past decade, first by the separation of the Crazylegs Classic from this date and the end of Butch's Bologna Bash, and then from the jolt of Lee Evans' serious knee injury in 2002.
Interested in hearing thoughts from fans on how to inject a little excitement into this thing.
SO FAR, SO GOOD
Cardinal 3, White 0 -- first quarter
Allan Evridge, who is battling Dustin Sherer for the starting quarterback job, guided the Cardinal (first string) to a field goal on its first drive.
He started off with a nice rollout to a wide-open Isaac Anderson for a 15-yard gain on the first play from scrimmage. Later, he connected with sophomore Lance Kendricks for a 40-yarder on a deep crossing route to set up first-and-goal.
The drive stalled at the 5, and Phillip Welch -- a freshman campaigning for the kicking job -- converted on a 22-yard attempt. He wedged it a bit, so it wasn't a solid boot, but it went through cleanly.
KICK-OFF #1
Cardinal 6, White 2 -- end of first quarter
With two kickers auditioning to replace Tyler Mehlhaff, the Badgers are testing them twice today on kicking competitions in non-rush situations.
The first run-through wasn't very promising.
Matt Fischer was just 2-of-4, making attempts from 22 and 25 yards but missing from 31 and 37; he pulled both to the right.
Welch was better at 3-of-4, with makes from 25 and 31, a miss from 37 and another make from 48. The latter was a real floater that didn't impress in terms of leg strength.
CLAY FAN CLUB
The loudest ovation of the day so far goes to John Clay, the highly touted redshirt freshman running back from Racine Park who took his first carry in front of a UW audience early in the second quarter and went eight yards.
Other notable debuts so far -- we have sightings of receiver Nick Toon, the former Middleton athlete who is the son of ex-Badger standout Al Toon, and Josh Oglesby, the highly touted left tackle out of St. Francis. Both redshirted last season. Both are playing today for the White (backups).
WELCH HITS FROM 40
Cardinal 9, White 2 -- second quarter
This boot by Welch looked better than his 48-yarder in the drill ... a cleaner follow-through helped him drive the ball better.
Sherer is now in at QB for the Cardinal ...
FINALLY, A TD
Cardinal 16, White 2 -- halftime
Given that the entire starting defensive line is now out with injuries -- Matt Shaughnessy being the latest victim Thursday with an undisclosed lower right leg injury -- you can imagine that the first-string defense is a hollow shell of itself.
And with the top reserves taking snaps with the Cardinal, that leaves players far down the roster filling out the White defense.
It's not surprising, then, that Lance Smith was able to shred that unit for 35 yards on five carries on this drive, taking advantage of some wide open spaces at the second level. He started that stretch by converting a third-and-1 at the White 31, and finished it with a 3-yard TD jaunt.
Credit Welch with the extra point.
Smith's TD bailed out receiver Isaac Anderson, who dropped a sure touchdown pass in the red zone.
CLAY ALL DAY
Cardinal 16, White 2 -- third quarter, 6:35
After some spot work in the first half, Clay gets time as the featured back and makes the most of it. He grinds out 58 yards on eight carries for the White on a drive that stalls at the Cardinal 9-yard line when Jay Valai picks off a deflected pass from Scott Tolzien.
GOAL LINE STAND
Cardinal 16, White 2 -- 3:33 left, third quarter
Valai makes a big play for the White team, stuffing Smith inside the 1-yard line on fourth down to get the ball back on downs. An uninspired effort, considering the play was a power rush to the left side with the fullback leading the way behind a decent push from the O-line.
Evridge looked good on this drive, especially when he aired it out on a 20-yard out to David Gilreath to give the Cardinal first-and-goal at the 9.
KICK-OFF #2
Cardinal 18, White 3
Another effort that doesn't inspire a lot of confidence in the kicking game.
Fischer wins this duel, making 2-of-4 kicks; he connected from 25 and 37, but pulled his attempts from 30 and 45 wide left.
Welch blasted his first kick through from 22 but then pulled to the left each of his last three attempts, from 25, 31 and 37.
FISCHER CONVERTS
Cardinal 21, White 3 -- third quarter, 11:54
Fischer connects from 26 yards.
PHILLIPS IN
Cardinal 21, White 3 -- fourth quarter, 8:10
Does "Curt Phillips hands off to John Clay" have a nice ring to it? That was the call on the first three plays of Phillips' career at Wisconsin, and it produced a first down for the White.
The heralded quarterback, who enrolled early this semester while his classmates finish high school, then completed his first pass attempt, a 12-yard out to Eric Kosaris for a first down.
White eventually turned the ball over on downs, but Phillips was not to blame on the deciding play, a fourth-and-4 from the Cardinal 40. Kosaris dropped a well-thrown ball on a post route that would have produced a first down.
ANOTHER SCORE FOR CARDINAL
Cardinal 28, White 3 -- fourth quarter, 5:17
Reserve QB James Stallons connects with Kendricks on a 6-yard scoring pass.
