The weather didn’t necessarily pan out for the 2012 Wisconsin Badgers Annual Spring Game, but that didn’t stop a few thousand people from coming out to Camp Randall to watch some of the team’s young stars.
Third-string running back Melvin Gordon stole the show with 30 rushing attempts for an impressive 159 yards. The future star Gordan helped lead the Cardinal squad to a 21-10 victory over the White squad.
– Arguably the two most recently talked about Badgers in the off-season weren’t even a part of the Spring Game. Last year’s Heisman Finalist Montee Ball didn’t take part as the Spring game has always been a showcase for underclassman and transfer quarterback Danny O’Brien won’t make it to campus until the Fall.
– There were two touchdowns in the game. One from the redshirt freshman quarterback Joel Stave (14/25, 135 YDS, 1 TD and 1 INT) to redshirt sophomore wide-out Chase Hammond (4 REC, 48 YDS and 1 TD) for seven yards and the other coming on a Melvin Gordon two yard run.
– Considering Gordon had 30 carries, his 5.3 average was quite astonishing. The Badgers usual stout offensive line did a wonderful job of opening up holes for the young runner.
I think Head Coach Bret Bielema summed it up nicely when he said, “The good news about Melvin is that we have four years of him due to his red-shirt last season.”
Whether the coaching staff will be able to find time for him in a crowded backfield consisting of Ball and James White will be an interesting storyline this summer.
– On the defensive side, redshirt freshman Jacob Keefer was particularly strong with six tackles, including one for a loss. If Keefer can continue to make strides in his development, he would be joining a linebackers corps which has great depth in Madison.
– It has nothing to do with the actual game, but one of the most entertaining moments involved learning that Bielema’s favorite music is Reggae and watching a man jump on the hood of his new car which he just won for knowing that unusual factoid.
– For those of you following the draft, the Badgers had six players drafted this year. One for each of the first six rounds: OL Kevin Zeitler (Bengals), OL Peter Konz (Falcons), QB Russell Wilson (Seahawks), WR Nick Toon (Saints), FB Bradie Ewing (Falcons) and P Brad Nortman (Panthers).
What young players are you most looking forward to watching this Fall? Let me know by commenting below!
Nick Grays is a senior writer at the Sports Bank where he covers the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers, and Milwaukee Brewers. He also enjoys to share Fantasy Advice from time-to-time. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here or visit his blog Nick Knows Best.
Pictures:
Wisconsin Badgers Helmet (wsau.com)
Melvin Gordon (wisconsin.scout.com)