With the warm sun shining brightly off the bleachers and spectators looking on, the scene inside Camp Randall Stadium Saturday was reminiscent of an early season game last season.
And the summer-like weather wasn't the only similarity.
Much like the early non-conference portion of Wisconsin's schedule last fall, the Badgers' defense looked superb while the Wisconsin offense struggled during a 64-play scrimmage.
The practice — the culmination of UW's annual coaches clinic, which this year featured the likes of head coach Urban Meyer of the national champion Florida Gators — saw the first and second-team offense and defense get equal opportunity to show its progress through six spring workouts.
UW's quarterback trio of Tyler Donovan, Allan Evridge and Dustin Sherer was intercepted six times and fumbled several snaps.
While he acknowledged turnovers anytime are not something easily shrugged off, offensive coordinator Paul Chryst noted the struggles were not something to be overly worried about.
"You don't want that to happen, you've got to protect the football," Chryst said. "But there's reasons for it. … You don't want interceptions, but I'd rather have them in the spring than in the fall. As a quarterback, you have to know what is the window I can throw in, and you never find out unless you try."
Defensively, the Badgers were quick to the ball, especially in the linebacker and secondary positions. Defensive back Jay Valai was all over the field, including an interception he took back untouched, and provided several big hits in run support.
Not to be outdone, fellow safety Aubrey Pleasant also intercepted a pass from Donovan and was active in the defensive backfield.
"Some of the defensive players — Jay Valai, he showed up making some plays. Aubrey made (plays). It's great because those two guys competing for a job right there came to the forefront," head coach Bret Bielema said.
As the scrimmage wore on, the offense started to find its groove somewhat, with several long-pass plays and a big run by running back Lance Smith.
Evridge hooked up twice with wideout Luke Swan on big gainers, with one going for 70 yards and a touchdown after safety Shane Carter was overaggressive in his play on the ball. The other long connection was a 40-yard pass and catch, which could have been for more yards had the ball not been underthrown.
Also performing well for the offense was redshirt freshman wide receiver Maurice Moore, who caught two long passes late in the scrimmage and drew the attention of his head coach.
As a converted quarterback playing wide receiver, Moore's showing was also encouraging for wide receivers coach Henry Mason.
"For a guy who hasn't been at the position very long, I was impressed with how he went about his business," Mason said. "Certainly he's a long way from being polished, or being able to step in and take a lot of reps, but he did show signs of being able to make some plays."
Practice Notes: Tight end Travis Beckum wore a green no-contact jersey for the beginning of practice, but took it off and played fully during the scrimmage. … Mike Newkirk and Jason Chapman have been working with the first-team defense at defensive tackle, with Nick Hayden taking reps with the second team. … Converted tight end Lance Kendricks impressed Bielema during a Badger drill in which two players line up on opposite sides and try to push the other back. Kendricks "knocked (Jonathan) Casillas right off the ball," Bielema said.
