SPORTS
Hubbard, wide receivers show life
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Also by Aaron Brenner:
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by Aaron Brenner
Thursday, April 20, 2006
The Badgers have just one practice left before the Spring Game April 22, but Wisconsin's players engaged in a little competition three days prior in Wednesday night's practice.
After two hours of drills followed by scrimmage play with thud play as opposed to tackling, UW played around 20 plays of full-contact football in what appeared to be a small preview to the Spring Game.
And, as one might have expected, the defense reigned supreme — only this time, it cost the Badger offense five sets each of pushups and crunches.
Nonetheless, when asked about one of the more encouraging aspects of Wednesday's workout under the lights at Camp Randall Stadium, UW head coach Bret Bielema talked up his young receivers.
"I really thought that [junior Paul] Hubbard really practiced well today, caught a lot of footballs. He understood where he's supposed to be today," Bielema said. "He's not done everything right yet, but that timing was a little bit better off today. … I thought [junior] Marcus [Randle El] competed better today."
Hubbard — a UW track star-turned-potential starting wide receiver — did catch three quick passes at the beginning of a seven-against-seven scrimmage drill (without linemen), then caught a pass from 15 yards out in fairly tight coverage from John Stocco and ripped up the field in what may well have been a touchdown in competitive play.
"He has taken a personal mission, and he's heard about all the people have left. I thought he stepped it up," Bielema said, referring to Hubbard's effort throughout the spring.
"First down passing game, in particular. We went out there today and did fairly well on third down, eight third-down catches during those periods … but first and 10, we just had that little mini-scrimmage at the end, they [had] five opportunities on first and 10 and weren't able to execute very well with the No. 1 unit, so that's something that we've got to be able to do on first downs, is be able to run the ball and pass the ball effectively."
Randle El has also appeared to pick up his game a bit, and Bielema named the two wideouts the best surprises of the spring.
Side notes: Johnny White and Elijah Hodge were held out of practice due to illness … defensive lineman Nick Hayden, on the first play of the full-contact scrimmage, intercepted Stocco on a tipped ball … running back Jamil Walker was stretched out by a trainer midway through the scrimmage, but appeared to be fine as he participated later on … defensive lineman Kurt Ware plans to practice Friday with the team and participate in the Spring Game, but will undergo surgery soon thereafter … Bielema said linebacker Ryan Flasch, who injured his right knee last Friday, should be back with the Badgers in three to four weeks … Bielema also said he intends to welcome his players back June 12 for summer conditioning.
