Kinda OT - Badgers name Donavan Starting QB

[Captain Erv]

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2007, 5:39 p.m.
By Jeff Potrykus
Donovan UW's No. 1 quarterback

Madison - Barring injury, senior quarterback Tyler Donovan will get the opportunity to start his first season-opener for the University of Wisconsin.

UW coach Bret Bielema released an updated depth chart Wednesday afternoon, with three days left in preseason camp, that listed Donovan as the No. 1 quarterback.

Junior transfer Allan Evridge, who made a strong push last week only to stall somewhat earlier this week, is listed No. 2 on the depth chart.

Donovan, from Arrowhead High School, made his only college starts last season when John Stocco missed two games with a shoulder injury. Donovan led UW to victories at Iowa and at home against Buffalo.

Other noteworthy developments include:

Senior Luke Swan is listed as the No., 1 punt returner, ahead of freshman David Gilreath.

Gilreath and sophomore Josh Nettles are the No. 1 duo on kickoff returns.

Junior Chris Pressley, who missed all of last season after suffering a broken ankle in camp, is the No. 1 fullback.

Swan, fellow senior Paul Hubbard, sophomore Xavier Harris and freshman Kyle Jefferson are the top four wide receivers.

Senior Jamal Cooper who was suspended twice by Bielema, once last summer and again in the spring, has responded to win a starting position at defensive end opposite junior Matt Shaughnessy.

The backup ends are senior Kurt Ware, who missed most of camp while recovering from off-season knee surgery, and redshirt freshman Kirk DeCremer.

The last I heard I thought Evridge had the job. Interesting news.

[Comet]

This really doesn't surprise me. I always liked Donovan in his limited playing time. Good arm, good legs.

[El Duderino]

I thought Evridge would win the job,but they obviously felt Donovan did enough to keep it.Thankfully the schedule doesn't have us facing Michigan/Ohio St. early on so Tyler can get comfortable before the monster games.

[Neusch23]

can't wait for the badgers!

[LUKE23]

can't wait for the badgers!

I'll be there. Can't wait.

[deep throat]

both will play

[LUKE23]

both will play

Barring an injury or extremely poor play by Donovan, I highly doubt it. I don't think they will mix QB's as part of their normal substitution pattern.

[MickeyDavis]

Quote from Bielema: "I can assure you you're never going to see any two-platoon quarterback system out of Wisconsin".

[deep throat]

-= original quote snipped =-



Barring an injury or extremely poor play by Donovan, I highly doubt it. I don't think they will mix QB's as part of their normal substitution pattern.

That's what I meant-I think that they will each get their cracks. I think that it is close enough that if Donovan starts to falter he will get pulled earlier then most starters. I can see that happening this year. We'll see.

[xTitan]

I am sorry but Donovan is not that good, at best an average passer and not the brightest bulb in the pack from what I have heard....a 300 yard game against Oakland simply is not impressive....this decision has tempered my enthusiasm some to be honest....think the Washington State game has just become a much tougher test.

[MickeyDavis]

Donovan is not too bright. Going into Iowa and winning last year did show something though. And with a strong defense and good running game there shouldn't be many times when we have to depend on him to win a game.

[El Duderino]

Donovan is not too bright. Going into Iowa and winning last year did show something though. And with a strong defense and good running game there shouldn't be many times when we have to depend on him to win a game.

Obviously we aren't the same run it 50 times as was the case under Alvarez,but i do think ball security will be paramount from the QB spot given our stellar defense and good running game.If Donovan doesn't turn it over,makes the open pass,and scrambles for first downs,he'll keep the job.

If though he tries doing to much and starts throwing picks,i could see his leash being pretty short.I've read the same things about Donovan not being the sharpest nail in the bunch,but Chryst isn't a dumb coach.He has to know what he has in Donovan and i suspect they will game plan to avoid putting him in to many situations where costly brainfarts can happen.I see lots of short passes,rolling outside the pocket,designed QB runs,and play action deep throws where an INT is similar to a punt.

[trwi7]

not the brightest bulb in the pack from what I have heard....

And you heard right. I went to school with him, not very smart.

[LUKE23]

We only have two games to go on (and really one because I could have probably won at QB against Buffalo), but going into a rivals home field and winning (making some clutch throws in the process) is a good start. We have a lot of WR options this year plus a hopefully improved Beckum, so I think that should help Donovan out. Obviously he's very good with his feet. The main thing he has to work on is not putting the ball down and running too early, and he even admitted this himself.

I'm sure the leash will be short, given that both QB's are pretty much equal. The key is limiting stupid plays and TO's, we are still a running team, by far.

[Ayt]

Its interesting that Randle El isn't in the top 4 WRs.

I'm interested to see what Xavier Harris can do after another offseason under his belt. We heard a lot about him last spring, but then he did close to nothing during the regular season. Jefferson is 6-5 and a track guy which could be interesting.

We have some pretty impressive depth at WR. I'd say the same about TE, where last years big time WR prospect Lance Kendricks now plays.

[mnstinks]

It's nice to see the Big Ten making Wisconsin play a real Big Ten schedule this year. Although the non-conference schedule sucks as usual.

[MickeyDavis]

It's nice to see the Big Ten making Wisconsin play a real Big Ten schedule this year.

The Big Ten schedule rotates. Each year there are two teams you don't play. This year Iowa doesn't play Ohio State and they don't play Michigan. I guess the Big Ten needs to make them play a real Big Ten schedule.

[mnstinks]

-= original quote snipped =-



The Big Ten schedule rotates. Each year there are two teams you don't play. This year Iowa doesn't play Ohio State and they don't play Michigan. I guess the Big Ten needs to make them play a real Big Ten schedule.

I am aware that ii is a rotating schedule. Just like basketball, although they will play more conference games this year.

My point is that Michigan and Ohio State always play each other, while other schools don't play one or both, therefore Michigan and Ohio State dont have it as easy as others.

[SugarRay34]

Hes more mobile, has more experience in the offense and is a 5th year senior with big game experience(going into Kinninck and winning last year did wonders for me in believing in him). Evridge has a lot better arm strength and Donovan is dumb as a box of rocks but hopefully he can just control the game and hand it off and make the occasional play here and there and Wisky should be in the running for Pasadena

[xTitan]

Hes more mobile, has more experience in the offense and is a 5th year senior with big game experience(going into Kinninck and winning last year did wonders for me in believing in him). Evridge has a lot better arm strength and Donovan is dumb as a box of rocks but hopefully he can just control the game and hand it off and make the occasional play here and there and Wisky should be in the running for Pasadena

I would be willing to bet you Ray that Donovan is not the starting QB by the end of the year.....he wiill be replaced either due to ineffectivenes or he might get hurt...he sure likes to tuck it in and run alot and at 175-185 and a short body he could easily get banged up. I just hope if it is because of ineffectiveness that it doesn't cost UW everything.