The Wisconsin Badgers held their sixth practice of the 2015 fall camp season on a warm and humid morning on Saturday. Due to the temperatures on the field at Camp Randall Stadium -- according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Jeff Potrykus, with a temperature range of nearly 147 degrees per his discussion with Wisconsin strength and conditioning coach Ross Kolodziej -- head coach Paul Chryst and his team practiced on the field north of the stadium for another day.
Though B5Q correspondents couldn't make it down to Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, articles from many media who attended showed more mixing and matching at both the offensive line and inside linebacker positions. As always, follow not just B5Q but all the Badgers beat writers/insiders:
- BadgerNation.com's Ben Worgull
- Wisconsin State Journal's Jason Galloway (a former B5Q writer), Tom Oates and Jim Polzin
- BadgerBlitz.com's (and another B5Q alum) John Veldhuis
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Jeff Potrykus
- 247Sports' Evan Flood
- ESPN Wisconsin's Zach Heilprin
- The Big 1070's Phil Dawson
True freshmen continue to get reps with first-team defense
Though the Badgers have projected starters at inside linebacker with junior Leon Jacobs and redshirt freshman T.J. Edwards, both are still out with injuries. This opened the door for more valuable reps for those competing for playing time during the season. Yesterday, senior Kellen Jones and redshirt freshman Ryan Connolly received the majority of the reps as starters at inside linebacker. Today, true freshmen Alec Ingold and Chris Orr ran primarily with the ones, and performed well. Veldhuis also noted how the young players responded well ($).
Good practices again for Chris Orr and Alec Ingold. #Badgers building some depth at ILB.
— John Veldhuis (@JohnVeldhuis) August 15, 2015
Really love watching Alec Ingold and Chris Orr practice. #Badgers have a couple good ones in the pipeline
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) August 15, 2015
Walker Williams took the 1st-team reps at LG today, as did Leo Musso at S. Chris Orr and Alec Ingold took most of the 1st-team reps at ILB.
— Jason Galloway (@Jason_Galloway) August 15, 2015
#Badgers continuing to rotate at ILB. Starters today were true freshmen Alec Ingold & Chris Orr. It's early but they both look pretty good.
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) August 15, 2015
With injuries at LB, frosh Chris Orr has stood out today - and word is he's had a very good camp overall
— Dave Revsine (@BTNDaveRevsine) August 15, 2015
#Badgers frosh linebackers Alec Ingold and Chris Orr got lot of work with No 1 defense. Both made plays.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) August 15, 2015
Offensive line shuffling
With three starting spots already locked down at left tackle, center and right guard, the competition for left guard and right tackle will continue to heat up and be of interest heading into next week.
Heilprin noted the coaching staff held out fifth-year senior (and presumed front-runner at left guard) Ray Ball, allowing junior Walker Williams to jump in with the first-team offense.
With redshirt sophomore Hayden Biegel sitting out of practice with a head injury sustained during Friday's practice, redshirt Beau Benzschawel took over at right tackle.
W/ 3 OL spots locked down focus will be on LG & RT over the next three weeks. Benzschawel could take a lead at RT depending Biegel’s health.
— John Veldhuis (@JohnVeldhuis) August 15, 2015
#Badgers coach Chryst on O-line: appreciate the effort but it doesn't look like it needs to be. Translation: long road.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) August 15, 2015
This is clearly not a vintage Wisconsin OL. Not bad by any stretch - just not at level we've seen historically
— Dave Revsine (@BTNDaveRevsine) August 15, 2015
Other Observations
At safety, Leo Musso ran with 1's today. Lubern Figaro and D'Cota Dixon with the 2's.
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) August 15, 2015
Update: Keelon Brookins was sitting out with sore ribs today.
— Jason Galloway (@Jason_Galloway) August 15, 2015
Still out: Edwards, Jacobs, Patterson, Farrar, Hayden Biegel. Eric Steffes also out. Ty DeForest returned after having abdominal pain Fri.
— Jason Galloway (@Jason_Galloway) August 15, 2015
Another day & another big hit by ILB Kellen Jones. This time on kickoff return, blindsiding FR TE Mitchell Herl.
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) August 15, 2015
Dare Ogunbowale had a nice 30-yard run in a live period. Could hear Paul Chryst get after George Rushing. If he held his block likely a TD.
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) August 15, 2015
Keelon Brookins left practice early today. Don't know what was bothering him yet.
— Jason Galloway (@Jason_Galloway) August 15, 2015
Big Ten Network watches Wisconsin practice
BTN stopped by Madison on its cross-conference tour on Saturday. Dave Revsine, Howard Griffith, Gerry DiNardo and Tom Dienhart, among others, observed the Badgers' weekend practice.
Michael Caputo's leadership is obvious - was on sideline talking technique with D'Cota Dixon. What you need from veterans
— Dave Revsine (@BTNDaveRevsine) August 15, 2015
Tanner McEvoy might be the ultimate wildcard in the B1G this season. Looks great at WR. Fascinated to see how they split his time btw WR/S
— Dave Revsine (@BTNDaveRevsine) August 15, 2015
6-6 Tanner McEvoy is the most intriguing player in Big Ten. Is he a safety? WR? He will impact on both sides of ball. pic.twitter.com/i6lRgYhMie
— Tom Dienhart (@BTNTomDienhart) August 15, 2015
Given his skill set and Paul Chryst's penchant for using TE's well, could see Troy Fumagalli having a really good yr. impressive today
— Dave Revsine (@BTNDaveRevsine) August 15, 2015
Always interesting to see how HC approaches practice. Paul Chryst is very actively coaching pass game.
— Dave Revsine (@BTNDaveRevsine) August 15, 2015
This is clearly not a vintage Wisconsin OL. Not bad by any stretch - just not at level we've seen historically
— Dave Revsine (@BTNDaveRevsine) August 15, 2015
Joel Stave figures to do this often in 2015: pivot to hand off to Corey Clement. @BadgerFootball pic.twitter.com/RQQXzM3YS6
— Tom Dienhart (@BTNTomDienhart) August 15, 2015
BTN Bus Tour #Badgers So far ahead of a year ago at QB. Joel Stave poised for his best year. He and PC are a great match
— Gerry DiNardo (@gerrydinardo) August 15, 2015
BTN Bus Tour #Badgers Its going to be a Wild West Race this fall. So far 3 teams close UW Neb Minn. Crossover games will be a major issue
— Gerry DiNardo (@gerrydinardo) August 15, 2015