Wisconsin football: QB Joel Stave improves in Badgers' first spring scrimmage

MADISON -- The Wisconsin Badgers spent the first half of their fourth practice of the spring Sunday outside at Camp Randall Stadium before spending the remainder working inside the McClain Center. To end practice, the Badgers scrimmaged for the first time this spring. Senior quarterback Joel Stave improved his passing after a bit of an underwhelming performance on Friday.

Wisconsin ran about 40 players during the scrimmage, as snaps were spilt between Stave, junior Bart Houston and sophomore D.J. Gillins at quarterback.

Stave unofficially finished 13-of-18. He completed 8-of-11 passes in 7-on-7 work and all three of his pass attempts in the 11-on-11 sessions, and led the offense in three of the six series during the scrimmage, completing half of his passes (2-of-4). He was also sacked on the first series at quarterback.

Houston received two series during the scrimmage. He unofficially completed three of his five passes, with his one incompletion being a drop by sophomore wide receiver Krenwick Sanders in the end zone. Houston finished 5-of-8 in 7-on-7 drills. Gillins also completed 5-of-8 throws as well in the 7-on-7 work, finishing practice 6-of-10, unofficially.

Practice Notes

• Senior Tanner McEvoy stayed after practice to run routes at wide receiver after working at safety all of practice. Stave threw him some passes.
• Sophomore Natrell Jamerson is currently working as the nickel cornerback, according to junior Sojourn Shelton.
• Junior safety Leo Musso appeared to have quite the day Sunday. Along with picking off a Stave pass in 7-on-7 drills, the Waunakee, Wis., native intercepted Houston to end practice. He also intercepted true freshmen quarterback Austin Kafentzis in skeleton work after practice.
• Junior wide receiver Rob Wheelwright practiced well and had several catches during the scrimmage portion of practice.
• Sophomore Connor Senger injured his right leg/knee and sat out for the rest of the session.
• Sophomore tight end T.J Watt sat out and had a brace on his left leg after leaving Friday's practice because of the injury.