That’s not to say Wisconsin’s awful performance can exclusively be pinned on Houston, because there is plenty of blame to go around on both sides of the ball.
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Chryst said having the two quarterbacks gives Wisconsin the advantage in this weekend’s game against Michigan State. However, he did say he needs both quarterbacks to prepare as if they will be the starter for Wisconsin’s Big Ten opener. “I’ll let the week determine all of that stuff”. And that’s precisely why Chryst should – and according to reports from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Jeff Potrykus, he will – be going with Hornibrook as his starter next week.
The Badgers’ only two kickoff returns against Georgia State came on shorter kicks and were fielded by Ogunbowale and Ingold. Georgia State did respond with a touchdown of its own and then picked off Hornibrook on the ensuing possession – though that pass went right through the hands of George Rushing before being intercepted – leading to a go-ahead touchdown. Hornibrook threw for 41 yards and pitched the one-yard touchdown pass on the Badgers’ crucial scoring drive in the fourth quarter and completed a 14-yard pass to set up a field goal on the ensuing drive.
The two battled throughout fall camp before Houston was named the starter on August 25, nine days before the team opened the season against LSU. Tyler O’Connor is completing 72.7 percent of his passes for 431 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions.
The offense looked revitalized with Hornibrook under center and he looked poised, hitting windows when they opened up in ways that we haven’t seen Houston do so far this season. “I’m positive of that”, Chryst said. And I think there’s some good things that both Bart and Alex have done that they’ve got to continue to do well and build on that. Alex earned the right to play.
The controversy can’t seem to escape the Badgers at that position, but the reality is until one of these players can show a spark both will play and the conference schedule will not be forgiving. The Michigan State Spartans ground game is averaging 215.5 yards per contest, and LJ Scott leads the way with 203 yards and two touchdowns.
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“We needed a spark”, Chryst said of the decision to put Hornibrook in. He also noted Houston shouldn’t shoulder all the blame for UW’s offensive struggles in the first half. Hornibrook, a redshirt freshman, has played against Akron and Georgia State. “You can have a best pitcher in baseball and he doesn’t always finish the game, so we need both of them to keep growing”.
