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Practice Roundup, Aug. 16: Tanner McEvoy gets 1st-team reps

As the last scrimmage of the fall quickly approaches, Wisconsin's coaches are keeping McEvoy in the race for the starting quarterback job.

Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Wisconsin's first practice of Friday was open to the media for just a tiny sliver at the end, though that didn't limit the availability of some interesting news and observations.

With Monday's scrimmage -- the last of two this fall -- just around the corner, the time for making depth chart announcements is nearing. While many indications have the most pressing position battle, quarterback, down to a two-man race between Joel Stave and Curt Phillips, Gary Andersen and Dave Aranda continue to give Tanner McEvoy opportunities to impress. That was the case Friday, as McEvoy worked heavily with the first-team offense.

Overall, the offense had a better day than Thursday, when poor performance forced the unit into running sprints while the defense hit the showers. The Badgers will practice once more Friday evening and then Saturday morning, giving McEvoy two more practices to improve before Monday's scrimmage. The coaching staff is expected to narrow some position battles afterward, especially at quarterback. A starter might not necessarily be named, but some indication could be given that McEvoy won't be fighting for the starting job any longer.

The other big news of Friday's morning session was the continued reshuffling of the offensive line. This time, right guard Kyle Costigan was given the morning off with a sore knee that reportedly isn't necessarily an "injury." Hopefully that's true -- offensive line coach T.J. Woods can't be faulted for being cautious considering center Dan Voltz is already nursing a hamstring injury and the unit is already considerably thin.

With Costigan out, Ryan Groy shifted to left guard from left tackle. Tyler Marz lined up at left tackle and Rob Havenstein also got a few reps there. Dallas Lewallen, who's been filling in at center for Voltz, also worked as the No. 2 left tackle.

News, notes and observations

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