As the Wisconsin Badgers continue to batter opponents like jumbo shrimp in a deep fryer, Jeff Duckworth can’t be blamed for wanting in on the action.

While UW has scored the third-most points in the nation (48.4 per game) on its way to a perfect 5-0 record, Duckworth, a redshirt sophomore wide receiver, has caught just two passes for 17 yards. Widely expected to be a factor as the No. 3 receiver behind starters Nick Toon and Jared Abbrederis, Duckworth hasn’t made that kind of contribution – but through no fault of his own.

Thanks largely to quarterback Russell Wilson, the Badger offense ranks ninth with an average of 523 yards per game, 65.5 yards ahead of the closest Big Ten team, Michigan. Toon and Abbrederis have proven to be both steady and lethal weapons for Wilson, who also has the surprisingly productive tight end Jacob Pedersen and one of the nation’s top running back duos in Montee Ball and James White at his disposal.

So, then, where does Duckworth factor in?

“It is [frustrating], but there are opportunities out there,” Duckworth said. “We’ve run a lot of three-wide receiver sets this year, especially with having Russell back there, who can throw it and spread it out more. There are opportunities, you’ve just got to do it in practice.”

By all accounts, Duckworth is a relentless worker who puts in the required extra hours of watching film, working out and finding a way to improve. The 6-foot, 215-pound receiver from Cincinnati has suited up for four games this season, sitting out the Oct. 1 Nebraska game due to a concussion. In 2010, his freshman season, Duckworth played in five games, catching three passes for 32 yards.

After seeing receivers David Gilreath and Isaac Anderson graduate last spring, the Badgers entered the fall knowing their offense would need to find solutions to fill depth at the receiver position. Duckworth, along with sophomore Manasseh Garner, were the most experienced candidates and the favorites to land the No. 3 role.

That’s the spot on the depth chart they currently split, with Duckworth listed behind Toon and Garner after Abbrederis. Duckworth estimated he’s been getting 10 to 15 snaps per game, plus any he gets when filling in for a tired Toon or Abbrederis. Garner missed the Sept. 1 season-opener against Nevada-Las Vegas and has caught just one pass for 27 yards in the four games since.

Even with Wisconsin’s well-known pro-style offense trending toward a system that leans heavily on the run to unfurl the passing game, a normal situation would likely have Badger coaches disappointed with the lack of production outside their top two receivers.

That’s not the case now, though the number of options in the passing game certainly hasn’t been limited.

“I think [the No. 3 receiver spot] is just as important as any spot,” wide receivers coach DelVaughn Alexander said. “I think it’s just that with what we do in any given week determines how important it is, or how we use it. With Nick and Jared playing as well as they are, it starts with two spots. Then, it evolves from there by situation.”

The laws of football suggest that Wisconsin’s situation will be altered at some point by injury, particularly as Big Ten play continues in earnest. Should Toon, who was limited in five games and didn’t even suit up for three last season, or Abbrederis go down, Duckworth will be thrust into the much bigger role he clearly desires.

“[Head coach Bret Bielema] always says, somebody goes down, that’s when you get your first start,” Duckworth said. “You’ve just got to be ready. You’ve got to prepare as if you’re starting and keep working every day.”

Clear and clich? as that sentiment might be, Duckworth has an empathizer in one of his closest friends on the team – Ball.

“He lives two floors below me, so I go down to his room and play Madden all the time,” Ball said. “He’s a really hard-working guy; he takes his time to go back to the stadium and watch film and really critique himself just to get himself better.”

Now a junior, Ball spent his freshman year and much of his sophomore season waiting in the limelight behind John Clay and White. This year, he leads Wisconsin with 511 rushing yards and a stunning 13 touchdowns.

“It’s extremely challenging, because you come out of high school being the top player, ‘the guy’ on the team and stuff like that,” Ball said. “It’s challenging, but really the thing you’ve got to focus on is practicing hard because you’re one spot away. That’s honestly so true – you are one snap away from getting a lot of carries or a lot of plays to be that guy.”