Wisconsin held its second scrimmage of fall camp on Monday, though only a brief (read: smaller than expected) portion was open to media. Jake was there and is on his way back home to do the podcast for tonight, so I wanted to get his updates out ASAP, along with some others from those who watched practice and talked to Gary Andersen. Jake will have a more in-depth post later tonight.
#Badgers notes: Andersen said they closed the scrimmage since there were some schemes used they didn't want others to see
— Jake Kocorowski (@JakeKocoB5Q) August 18, 2014
#Badgers notes: GA said they may know QB but won't tell anyone until they take the field against LSU.
— Jake Kocorowski (@JakeKocoB5Q) August 18, 2014
#Badgers notes: Andersen said they haven't named starting QB yet though you could tell by practice the direction they're taking
— Jake Kocorowski (@JakeKocoB5Q) August 18, 2014
Keep in mind, Andersen said the same exact thing last year. Most knew it was Stave well before season opener. We shall see. #Badgers
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) August 18, 2014
Reading between the lines, as well as tweets from other UW beat writers, that direction seems to be Joel Stave. The possibility of option plays for Tanner McEvoy is still, of course, very much alive as well. Those packages would seem to be of the variety that Andersen wouldn't want to present to the media before facing LSU.
#Badgers notes: Andersen said QBs played well but noted 3rd down drops that could have had extended to scoring drives
— Jake Kocorowski (@JakeKocoB5Q) August 18, 2014
GA says they did 60-70 plays. Had a lot of administrative penalties. Three turnovers by offense against a stripped-down defense. #Badgers
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) August 18, 2014
#Badgers notes: Andersen said Biegel should return by midweek. Both Trotters could have gone today if game situation.
— Jake Kocorowski (@JakeKocoB5Q) August 18, 2014
GA says #Badgers got a lot of players healthy over the last 48 hours #Badgers
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) August 18, 2014
Bad news with the penalties, good news with the health. Let's embrace the latter, since those penalties can come and go in camp.
#Badgers coach Andersen says he would like to redshirt DJ Gillins but will depend on effectiveness of offense.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) August 18, 2014
I'd say unless the staff firmly believes Gillins offers something in the way of mobility that McEvoy doesn't, he might as well redshirt this season. That sounds like it might be the more likely outcome at this point.
#Badgers notes: Saw Caleb Kinlaw briefly in last drive. Looked good for brief showing. GA said if he continues, could get a look.
— Jake Kocorowski (@JakeKocoB5Q) August 18, 2014
#Badgers frosh TB Kinlaw went live today for 1st time. Looked good. Andersen said Deal still has not secured No 3 spot.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) August 18, 2014
Good news here as well. It sounds like Kinlaw could push Taiwan Deal for that No. 3 running back spot behind Melvin Gordon and Corey Clement. Deal's been inconsistent/underwhelming in camp, and the smaller, but faster, Kinlaw could be a more ideal option behind the two top dogs.
#Badgers notes: GA said WRs dropped a couple balls but also made some plays - "stabilized" per GA. Peavy & Wheelwright expected back midweek
— Jake Kocorowski (@JakeKocoB5Q) August 18, 2014
#Badgers notes: Derek Watt returned to practice. George Panos appeared to get his "W" sticker. Derek Straus was still in a sling
— Jake Kocorowski (@JakeKocoB5Q) August 18, 2014
#Badgers coach Andersen just told fans team had highest cumulative GPA in program history (last spring/summer)
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) August 18, 2014
Again, Jake will have more observations later tonight. We're also waiting for some video of Andersen to hit YouTube (presumably). Till then, bang away at the comments section.