It’s hard to think of a more spectacular sight than Saturday’s five-touchdown performance from Lee Evans. Five equally impressive scoring receptions, two of which of 70 yards or over, put to rest any questions surrounding Evans’ surgically repaired knee. It was undoubtedly one of the greatest performances in school, Big Ten and even collegiate history.

Much like last season’s home finale against Minnesota, everything went right. It was the commanding performance from the Badgers that has been seriously lacking in recent years. Wisconsin was in complete control on both sides of the ball, a facet that may have been overshadowed by Evans’ record-setting performance. Maybe the Badgers are truly peaking as bowl season approaches.

Even though it was a loss, the Badgers’ offensive performance in the Metrodome two weeks ago was enough to demonstrate that they were turning the corner. It was as gritty a performance as Jim Sorgi has ever shown. Taking hits left and right, hanging in the pocket and delivering key pass after key pass, Sorgi looked to be the Badgers’ savior after both the defense and the running game proved to be anything but effective.

The Badgers moved into passing mode from the start against the Spartans, and the running game did not open up until Wisconsin had committed to a passing offense. They may have just caught Michigan State off guard, and it’s unlikely the Badgers can do the same against Iowa, but at this point in the season Wisconsin is looking their most effective when throwing.

Wisconsin has scored 90 points in two weeks, and who has been the trigger man?

Senior quarterback Jim Sorgi.

He said two weeks ago that there would be a new Jim Sorgi out on the field against Minnesota. He was committed to having fun and mixing it up a bit in hopes of capping a legacy at this university as someone other than the backup who finally got his shot. Jim Sorgi is playing the best ball of his life over the last two weeks, another facet that has been overlooked by a loss to Minnesota and Lee Evans’ day at the races against Michigan State.

Simply, Jim Sorgi has established himself as the player many have hoped he would be from the start of the season. Without Anthony Davis, and now possibly Booker Stanley, the offense has had to open up in hopes of getting that home run-threat they have missed without A.D. Sorgi has stepped to the table these last two weeks and made a believer out of many that he is a most capable gunslinger.

And to be honest, I had a hard time believing Sorgi would ever have put together back-to-back performances as strong as these last two. Coming into the season, I felt that he had been a good “change of pace” quarterback to throw in there when Brooks Bollinger was not up to par. His 0-5 record as a spot starter and his uncanny ability to force some ill-advised passes in past seasons had me disbelieving his abilities. Bollinger was winning games, and who could argue with that?

But Sorgi has matured this season. Maybe it has been the consistency he has gotten in repetitions as the undisputed starting quarterback, or maybe it was his time rehabbing his knee, but some sort of introspection has seemed to bring a new Jim Sorgi onto the playing field. After two weeks where he has done all that has been asked from him, who could complain?

Sorgi is looking comfortable in the pocket. He’s sitting in there and pops up after every hit with a smile on his face, even after Spartan tackle Kevin Vickerson steamrolled Sorgi into the Camp Randall turf Saturday.

Sorgi isn’t overthrowing his receivers with the regularity he exhibited earlier in the season. He’s healthy, making good decisions and delivering the ball where it needs to be. It’s no surprise that both Darrin Charles and Owen Daniels are developing into fine, complementary receivers these past two weeks. Sorgi is gaining the confidence of his teammates, the coaching staff and the fans all at once. With two games left, he’s on the verge of finally finding that cap on his legacy as the quarterback who came to play and fulfilled all the promise he had shown as a backup.

So throw out any hopes for a twelfth straight season with a one-thousand-yard rusher. Jim Sorgi is now in command of the offense. After each one of Evans’ five touchdowns on Saturday, it was Sorgi who delivered him the ball. Two seniors intent to not go down without a fight are leading the Badgers’ way to Tampa.

It’s time to hop on the bus.