While University of Wisconsin head football coach Bret Bielema said he will not release a depth chart for at least another two weeks, the constantly discussed quarterback position is down to two contenders if Saturday’s spring game provided any indication.

After the Cardinal team’s first-stringers dominated the White squad’s second stringers — 48-7 by actual scoring and 56-20 with spring scoring rules — fifth-year senior Dustin Sherer and redshirt freshman Curt Phillips have established themselves as the leading candidates for the starting position come the fall.

Though Sherer’s experience may eventually land him the job, his five years with the program has led to greater expectations.

“Someone asked what does Dustin have to do (to earn the starting position), and he has to be better than the rest by a significant amount,” Bielema said. “I mean he is a fifth-year player, he is a guy who started for half a season. During the course of spring ball there were certain things that popped up that just weren’t there. On the same chord, Dustin has done a lot of good things. I think if you look at Dustin where he is today, and where he was a year ago, he is significantly better.”

Sherer flashed both his talent and some of the mistakes Bielema talked about Saturday afternoon. Though the senior completed six of nine passes for 101 yards and a touchdown, he also threw an interception on an out-route that linebacker Tony Megna returned for a touchdown.

“Well it is a big play,” Bielema said about Sherer’s interception. “The one thing I know we took out of our spring’s of the past, is we cannot beat ourselves before the snap or by unforced errors … you cannot have those situations, especially out of a fifth year player.”

For his part, Sherer came away mostly pleased with his performance despite the pick-six.

“I thought I played pretty well,” Sherer said. “I threw a pick and you can’t throw picks, but overall I thought I played alright.”

Pushing Sherer for the No. 1 spot on the depth chart is the young Phillips. After being named the offensive scout team player of the year last fall, Phillips has continued to grow this spring. Given all his reps with the No. 1 offense Saturday, the redshirt freshman completed 10 of 16 passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns.

“[Curt] is a lot further along right now (than last spring),” Bielema said. “At one of those earlier practices I asked, ‘How is this year different than last year?’ And he said, ‘Coach, I was saying words in the huddle and I didn’t even know what they meant.’ He is much further along understanding what we are doing offensively.”

Particularly encouraging for Bielema was the way Phillips threw the ball. Known for his ability to scramble — Phillips finished with 36 yards rushing and he added a touchdown on the ground — the Tennessee native showed some poise in the pocket and had a long completion of 41 yards.

“Our plan going in was to get [Curt] in there as soon as we could with the ‘ones’,” Bielema said. “And let him have the benefit of a good solid offensive line in front of him, to get a little continuity. I like the fact that he threw a couple strikes … I think that gave a little bit of an indication where he is as a quarterback.”

Whoever starts in the fall, improved play from the wide receiver corps would go a long way to helping what was often an anemic passing attack last season. According to Bielema, the top four receivers are firmly set with Kyle Jefferson, Nick Toon, David Gilreath and Isaac Anderson.

“In particular, you look at our wide receivers and I just like the work and the progress they made,” Bielema said. “Kyle Jefferson made a strong finish this last week after kind of struggling a week ago. And that comes from just getting reps.”

Besides impressive play from Phillips, the offensive star of the scrimmage was junior running back Zach Brown. Playing behind John Clay and P.J. Hill last season, Brown saw his carries decrease by 64 from his freshman year. With the added reps as the No. 2 back, Brown ran for a workman-like 110 yards on 14 carries Saturday.

“We have to score points when we are out there,” Brown said. “Instead of settling for three we have to get the seven.”