2014 Wisconsin fall camp: Vonte Jackson leaves practice; Tanner McEvoy, Joel Stave compete again

Vonte Jackson worked to get back onto the field in 2014 after three ACL surgeries, but his knee buckled Saturday morning. More from Wisconsin summer camp, including the battle at quarterback from the eyes of the media.

By Jake Kocorowski Aug 9, 2014, 3:30pm CDT

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Happy Saturday, everyone.

We couldn't make it out to practice today (it's what happens when your wife is on semi-bed rest with twin boys), but Sunday I will be in attendance for Wisconsin's first scrimmage of the fall and give you my thoughts, impressions and any other news that breaks.

Vonte Jackson injured

An unfortunate turn for the sophomore safety from Kenosha, Wisconsin, who moved from running back to safety this spring, as he jumped in at running back Saturday morning with injuries to true freshman Taiwan Deal (unspecified) and Caleb Kinlaw. Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noted Jackson tried cutting on a running play to the right. Per Potrykus, he didn't return to practice but was on the sideline with a wrap on his right leg. Our own Andy Johnson said it best:

Horrible. Already has 3 ACL tears. RT @jaypo1961 Vonte Jackson tried to cut on run to right & went down without contact. Left with trainers.
— Andy Johnson (@AndyJohnsonB5Q) August 9, 2014

Best wishes to the former Kenosha Bradford standout, and hopefully any possible setback is minimal. Senior linebacker Marcus Trotter told Potrykus,

"It was a zone read and he was going outside and he tried to cut it," Trotter said. "And he just fell down. He wasn’t screaming too loud so hopefully it’s not a tear.

"I think it buckled. Hopefully he will be fine because he was such a great recruit and he is a great guy."

Quarterback battle continues

Juniors Joel Stave and Tanner McEvoy continue to trade off with the first and second-team offenses as they contend for the starting quarterback position.

McEvoy seemed to have a solid day in the portion open to media, as ESPN Wisconsin's Zach Heilprin noted the JUCO transfer had a nice 37-yard touchdown pass to true freshman wide receiver George Rushing -- then followed up with a 42-yard strike to sophomore Reggie Love immediately after. BadgerBlitz's John Veldhuis had the unofficial stats between the two quarterbacks:

From what I saw I had Stave at 6-for-13 today, McEvoy at 4-for-6 (stats obviously unofficial). McEvoy had a 37-yard TD to Rushing. #Badgers
— John Veldhuis (@JohnVeldhuis) August 9, 2014

It appears both are stepping up their gams, as Stave appeared to look more solid during Friday's practice (per Heilprin) open to the media. Sunday's scrimmage should be very interesting to see who steps up and stands out.

Other observations: QB McEvoy had himself a day. Threw 37-yd TD to G. Rushing and 42-yd pass to R. Love on one series. Also did some option.
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) August 9, 2014

Stave was solid, too. Completed a 30-yarder to TE Arneson, 22-yarder to TE Traylor, among other passes. Tomorrow's scrimmage: Interesting.
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) August 9, 2014

Notes

From the Twittersphere: Melvin Gordon seeing the ball as a pass-catching option.

Melvin Gordon caught two passes from Joel Stave out of the backfield. Yes, he can catch. Yes, he's going to get plenty of chances. #Badgers
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) August 9, 2014

Liked what Gordon did today in the passing gm- caught some balls and had a nice pass pro block. All things he needs to do for NFL. #Badgers
— John Veldhuis (@JohnVeldhuis) August 9, 2014

#badgers without TDeal, KDoe and Michael Trotter.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) August 9, 2014

Senior Peniel Jean possibly making the safety battle more interesting. Played really well in the box, coming up to stuff the run. #Badgers
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) August 9, 2014