Sherer likely to start Saturday

by Tyler Mason

Thursday, October 16, 2008 00:00

After much speculation over who would start at quarterback for the Wisconsin Badgers this Saturday against Iowa, it appears the job may belong to junior Dustin Sherer, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting.

Sherer practiced with UW’s first team offense Wednesday. The practice was closed to the media, and neither quarterback was available for interviews after the practice session. Offensive coordinator Paul Chryst would also not comment on the situation.

Head coach Bret Bielema did not say in his Monday press conference which signal caller he was planning to start this weekend, but he alluded to the fact that Sherer may steal the spot from senior Allan Evridge, who completed just two passes in Wisconsin’s 48-7 loss against Penn State.

“Paul and I have made discussions in the last couple weeks about the quarterback situation and where we would go,” Bielema said on Monday. “And during the course of Saturday’s ballgame, after that last series, we obviously made the change and went in a certain direction.

“I think on Sunday, we both agreed that Dustin, when he was in there, did a lot of good things,” Bielema continued. “Obviously, Paul deals with him on a daily basis and can kind of better gauge what he thinks they might do once put in a situation.”

Evridge — Wisconsin’s third senior starter in as many years — was taken out after an interception in the third quarter, but also accounted for Wisconsin’s only touchdown on a 5-yard run in the first half.

“Allan, on that scoring drive, did a lot of things that we’ve been asking and expecting him to do as far as taking off with the football, scored on a play where he broke the line of scrimmage,” Bielema said. “So he did some things, but on a single count made us make a switch with Dustin, and how they handle this week will determine what happens on Saturday.”

The Badgers have yet to win a Big Ten game, losing against Michigan on the road and at home to Ohio State and Penn State. Sherer came into the game in the third quarter against the Nittany Lions and threw for 115 yards on 9-for-17 passing.