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After opening camp with a series of split-squad sessions, the Wisconsin Badgers finally pulled on full pads for Friday afternoon's practice. We weren't able to get someone out there today, but here's everything that happened via Twitter, with our own observations/commentary included.
Observations
#Badgers DE Chikwe Obasih learned hard lesson today: don't hit QB. He flattened Stave; Dallas Lewallen crushed Obasih.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) August 8, 2014
Lewallen SCREAMED at Obasih. Even #Badgers coach Gary Andersen had a few choice words for the DE.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) August 8, 2014
Highlight of day was when Chikwe Obasih knocked QB Joel Stave down, and OL Dallas Lewallen shoved Obasih to turf. Heated. DON'T TOUCH QBs.
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) August 8, 2014
Looked at the film, Chikwe Obasih did not hit Stave that hard. Came in full speed, tried to avoid him but just got caught up. #Badgers
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) August 8, 2014
Soon after it looked like O thought another hit on Stave was a little late. Clement & Ball stood up for their QB. #Badgers
— John Veldhuis (@JohnVeldhuis) August 8, 2014
This seemed to be the higlight/lowlight/somethinglight of Friday's practice. People are always watching for training camp skirmishes, whether we're talking college or NFL football. When it comes to quarterbacks, especially quarterbacks on teams with a battle at quarterback, magnify that immensely. At least Stave was OK, and still turned in a solid practice.
Stave looked very good in team's redzone work. Went 2 for 2 with TD passes to Fumagalli of 10 and 4 yards. I lke Fumagalli's game. #Badgers
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) August 8, 2014
#Badgers practice is over. QB battle still tight. Stave and McEvoy each did some nice things. Still trading punches early.
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) August 8, 2014
I'll go on record and say I've thought Joel Stave would win starting QB job even before fall. Only 5 practices, but he sure looks confident.
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) August 8, 2014
IMO, Joel Stave is ahead of Tanner McEvoy after one week, but the first big litmus test is Sunday's scrimmage
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) August 8, 2014
#Badgers QB Stave said in spring he'd drop back and wonder if he could make the throw because of shoulder. (more)
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) August 9, 2014
Now, Stave says he feels great and confident he can make any throw for #Badgers
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) August 9, 2014
Both QBs had good and not so good throws, but I thought Stave had more good throws. 2 TDs to Fumagalli. #Badgers
— John Veldhuis (@JohnVeldhuis) August 8, 2014
In 7-on-7, Tanner McEvoy went 4 for 9 with a 9-yd. TD to Fumagalli. Joel Stave was 7 for 11 with two TDs, 18 yds. to Arneson, 9 to Erickson.
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) August 8, 2014
Rob Wheelwright and Alex Erickson ran with the first-team offense, directed by Tanner McEvoy. RW caught a McEvoy TD in the redzone #Badgers
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) August 8, 2014
Impressed with Natrell Jamerson at practice today. Nearly made a jump catch over the back of a DB, shows some good ups. #Badgers
— John Veldhuis (@JohnVeldhuis) August 8, 2014
Well, that's convincing. The pro-McEvoy contingent stresses the desires of Gary Andersen and Ludwig to run a more spread-out offense featuring a mobile/dual-threat quarterback, but they're not going to just immediately cave to those wishes. People tend to forget Stave's high points as a quarterback and point to his inconsistencies. The latter is undeniably an issue, but if he's going to come out this summer/fall and flat-out out-play McEvoy, the decision to start him won't be very hard.
It's early, as goes the caveat with all these August observations, but Stave seems to be doing well for himself.
When #Badgers frosh @rafagaglianone lined up to kick FGs today, his teammates sang this: https://t.co/vhPnDwVLCp
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) August 8, 2014
And #Badgers frosh @rafagaglianone made his 2 attempts -- 38 and 53 yards. #boom
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) August 8, 2014
@jaypo1961 @R_S_Jackson thats pretty close tho!! HA-FAH- L ... GAH-GLIH-A-NO-NEE
— Rafael Gaglianone (@rafagaglianone) August 8, 2014
Kicker update: J. Russell 1-2 (made 38, missed 53) to end practice. Endicott 0 for 1 (miss 53). R. Gaglianone saves day. 2 for 2 (38, 53).
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) August 8, 2014
For those curious, K Rafael Gaglianone has made 10 of 14 field goals in 4 practices open to the media, by my count. Not bad for the frosh.
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) August 8, 2014
Two important things here: 1. Freshman kicker Rafael Gaglianone has been near-perfect in camp thus far. 2. We finally know how exactly to pronounce his last name. Again, it's still early, but unlike the Stave/McEvoy battle, the coaching staff is not going to be swayed by Jack Russell's previous performances when it comes to choosing a kicker. Gaglianone might be running away with the job at this point.
#Badgers went full pads today. Safety Mike Caputo was more than ready. He had a great day. Was everywhere, in the box, swatted some passes.
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) August 8, 2014
Musso worked as the other safety next to Caputo. Rest of first team D was as expected. #Badgers
— John Veldhuis (@JohnVeldhuis) August 8, 2014
Mike Caputo could very well be the Badgers' most likely candidate for a breakout season this fall. Perhaps that's a bit far -- he was especially solid last year, but with Dezmen Southward gone and the secondary still lacking a guy-to presence (Sojourn Shelton is still only a sophomore), Caputo is in line for a major role.
Injuries/absences
Trent Denlinger ran with the No.1 offensive line at RG (Costigan out with Illness). Chikwe Obasih started at DE opposite Zagzebski.
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) August 8, 2014
#Badgers OG Costigan out today (illness). TB Deal and WR Doe left practice with "minor" injuries. Evaluated.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) August 8, 2014
Going over practice tape. Devin Gaulden had a very good day as well. Was challenged a number of times and came up with deflections. #Badgers
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) August 8, 2014
Great news on Devin Gaulden, who's battled so many injuries after arriving in Madison with considerable hype. I'm working on our cornerbacks preview as we speak, but Gaulden's the greatest x-factor in the secondary, and possibly the whole defense, thus far. With Shelton the leader and Darius Hillary expected to take another step up, the depth of the position likely hinges on Gaulden's ability to stay healthy.