Badger Bits: Cold, Rainy Weather Spoils Open Practice

Just some quick links for everyone this morning. We'll be back to our regularly scheduled Badger Bits programming tomorrow morning...

Scrimmage Notes

--The excitement leading up to Monday's open practice was largely stifled by the cold and rain, Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. The quarterbacks and kickers particularly struggled in the scrimmage, as Curt Phillips and Joel Stave each were intercepted off ill-advised passes. Stave did, though, rebound with a 20-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brock DeCicco, who made a nice grab between two defenders. Danny O'Brien also would've been picked off had linebacker Nick Hill not dropped the ball.

--One more highlight for the offense: Melvin Gordon had a sleek 50-yard cut-back run for a touchdown early on, according to Tom Mulhern of the Wisconsin State Journal.

--Not a good sign, though probably an aberration for college football's ninth-least penalized team last year: "at least" five penalties for 30 yards, per Mulhern.

--Ahh yes, we mentioned the kickers: Kyle French and Jack Russell each missed 42-yard field goals from both the left and right hashes. Dang, son. French, at least rebounded two make his next two kicks, albeit shorter ones. Russell missed both.

--Quarterbacks naturally couldn't be hit, though defensive end Jake Keeler managed two sacks.

--Running back Vonte Jackson, still recovering from right knee surgery, ran sprints before practice. He's expected to be full-go for summer workouts.

Elsewhere...

--Gary Andersen noted in his press conference before Monday's scrimmage that Dallas Lewallen has been among the most impressive offensive linemen this spring. Mulhern follows up with a good look at Lewallen, as well as Zac Matthias.

--Tom Oates of the State Journal says divisions in Big Ten basketball are a bad idea. It's early, but I'm inclined to agree. The last thing we want is the introduction of "schedule imbalance" concerns. And, you know, more wildly ill-advised division names.

--Non-Badgers, but you know him anyway: Vander Blue is foregoing his senior season at Marquette to enter the NBA.

--As always, ESPN's Big Ten blog had a great Monday mailbag that addresses the possibility of Ohio State being overhyped, James White's Heisman chances and a brief discussion of whether Barry Alvarez would ever leave UW.