CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 16, 2015 ■ VOLUME 6, ISSUE 6 COVER STORY DAVID STLUKA DAVID BY THE BOOK Though his recruitment to Madison didn’t follow the usual storyline, Joe Schobert has become a playmaking outside linebacker by sticking to the script on the field. FEATURES LUCAS AT LARGE IN [FOCUS] McEVOY DOUBLES UP The week's best photos Is he a receiver? A safety? Why not BY THE NUMBERS DAVID STLUKA DAVID both? Tanner McEvoy is making the Facts and figures on UW most of his chance to play on both sides of the ball for the Badgers. WHAT TO WATCH Where to catch the Badgers ASK THE BADGERS BEHIND THE DESK Hall of Fame suggestions DON’T RUSH TO JUDGE BADGERING Tyson Miehe (Men’s XC) Whether you’re talking about the Badgers or college football as a STLUKA DAVID INSIDE FOOTBALL whole, Barry Alvarez says it’s too Wheelwright riding high early to jump to conclusions. INSIDE -SCROLLVOLLEYBALL FOR MORE­ Badgers better ― maybe Wisconsin Athletic Communications Kellner Hall, 1440 Monroe St., Madison, WI 53711 VIEW ALL ISSUES Brian Lucas Director of Athletic Communications Julia Hujet Editor/Designer Brian Mason Managing Editor Mike Lucas Senior Writer Matt Lepay Columnist Jerry Mao Video Production Amy Eager Advertising Drew Pittner-Smith Distribution Contributors Paul Capobianco, Tam Flarup, Kelli Grashel, A.J. Harrison, Brandon Harrison, Patrick Herb, Diane Nordstrom Photography David Stluka, Neil Ament, Greg Anderson, Bob Campbell, Pam Ruschell, Cal Sport Media, Icon Sportswire Cover Photo: David Stluka Problems or Accessibility Issues? [email protected] © 2015 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. All rights reserved worldwide. LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS ■ UWBADGERS.COM McEvoy making name as two-way player anner McEvoy, meet Bran­ do you think?’” recounted Wil­ Williams to get into the act. don Williams. If anybody liams, who didn’t hesitate to sign “They (the UW coaches) made Tcan relate to McEvoy’s off on it. “My reaction was, ‘Any it very easy for me; I’m not going heavy-duty workload at wide way I can help the team.’ I didn’t to lie, I did very specific things receiver and safety ― not to see any harm because I had on defense,” Williams said. “I mention Wildcat quarterback; done it in high school and I was played man-to-man in our Cover albeit for just one of his 73 snaps still familiar with the position (de­ 3 and I always lined up on the against Miami University ― it fensive back). And I was excited. same side. The biggest thing was would be another triple-threat I was like, ‘Wow, I get to do that? from an endurance standpoint. like Williams who was utilized That’s cool.’” That was the hardest part. You’d on offense, defense and special Williams was still in high school get a little winded. But the film teams during a handful of games when Charles Woodson earned study and the transition wasn’t in 2003. special notoriety and the 1997 hard at all. I loved it.” Williams was more than a ca­ Heisman Trophy for playing The Badgers were hurting sual observer Saturday when both ways and returning kicks at in the secondary after Brett McEvoy started on offense and Michigan. One of Williams’ con­ Bell (shoulder) and Joe Stell­ defense, especially after McEvoy temporaries in the Big Ten, Chris macher (broken leg) suffered became the first UW player to Gamble, was also serving as a season-ending injuries, so the catch a pass and intercept one receiver, cornerback and return- 5-foot-11, 170-pound Williams in the same game in 12 years; er at Ohio State. Knowing the was thrown into the mix, ready or since Williams pulled it off success that they both or not. He got only a few snaps against Michigan State in ’03. “I had made it even on defense against Northwestern remember the interception I got,” more exciting for and Minnesota before replacing said Williams, then a sophomore. Levonne Rowan at cornerback “I remember getting beat for a after one play in the Michigan touchdown, too.” State game. Williams, who led the team The Badgers crushed the in receptions as a true fresh- Spartans, 56-21. Many will re- man, made his debut as a two- member that Lee Evans caught way player a few weeks earlier 10 passes for 258 yards and by doubling-up as a cornerback five touchdowns. Some will to fill a void in the secondary remember that Dwayne Smith because of injuries. The idea was rushed for 207 yards and three hatched by defensive coordinator scores. Few will likely remem- Kevin Cosgrove, who had recruit- ber that Williams had a couple ed Williams out of St. Louis and of catches and an interception Hazelwood East High School. off Jeff Smoker. Williams will Wide receiver coach Henry Ma- remember getting beat by Aaron son broke the news to him. Alexander on a 30-yard TD throw “It was very casual, Mace from Smoker. (Mason) said, ‘Hey, Cuz, they Alexander appeared to push want you to play corner, what off on the play. Williams, LUCAS AT LARGE PAGE 1 OF 3 LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS ■ UWBADGERS.COM BOB CAMPBELL DAVID STLUKA DAVID ever the competitor, will definitely Jared Abbrederis. He’s obviously McEvoy could handle playing remember that he got away with delighted to be back on campus both ways because of his com­ it. He will also remember how where he’s taking care of unfin­ petitiveness, football IQ, and tired he was after playing near­ ished academic business. He’s awareness of the game. That was ly the entire game at corner in also hoping to share some of his evident early on to Chryst, who addition to his other responsibil­ life experiences with student-ath­ elaborated, “He’s a pretty unique ities. Over his final two UW sea­ letes. He definitely enjoyed what athlete … big, skilled guy … sons, Williams was not needed he saw out of McEvoy last Satur­ wasn’t quite sure how physically on defense, which allowed him day, particularly his play in the it would all go (against Miami) … to focus on catching the ball and secondary. But he had a great week of prac­ returning kicks. “His impact on defense is evi­ tice and we had a good plan for These days, he has a new focal dent,” he said. him.” point: getting his undergraduate ■ ■ ■ ■ Moving forward, Chryst said, degree from Wisconsin. He re­ Paul Chryst is no stranger to “There’s some things we’ll con­ located his family from St. Louis two-way players. In 2010, when tinue to tweak. I’m not saying to Madison for that purpose. “I he was the UW offensive coordi­ we’ve perfected it (the plan). always wanted to get it, but I just nator, Manasseh Garner, a true But he bought into it. And that’s kept making excuses,” said Wil­ freshman, saw spot duty at wide when you knew that he had a liams, who has authored a book, receiver and defensive end. In chance (to make it work) … he’s Millionaire Mindset: 7 principles 2013, when Chryst was the head pretty suited for being able to do Athletes Need for Financial Free­ coach at Pittsburgh, another true it and he cares about the team dom. Asked if it was tough to re­ freshman, James Conner, got … he’s one of those guys that turn at this time, he said, “Wasn’t some action as a pass rushing really wants to do whatever he tough at all.” specialist though his primary as­ can to help the team win and I Williams left school as the ca­ signment was toting the rock as a admire that a lot.” reer leader in receptions with tailback. The Pac-12 Conference has 202, a mark since matched by Chryst was convinced that always been a fertile spawning LUCAS AT LARGE PAGE 2 OF 3 Badger Fans Bleed Red! Make a difference and help save a life by donating blood. Blood Donor Join us at a Badger Fans Bleed Red Blood Drive! Blood type: Red/White Thursdays and Fridays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Union South 1308 West Dayton Street - Madison Schedule your appointment at redcrossblood.org, sponsor code: Youngblood, or call 1-800-RED CROSS. LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS ■ UWBADGERS.COM ground for two-way players. Cur­ a safety. He has to think, ‘I’m not there.” rently, the main headliners are a quarterback playing safety, I’m After playing alongside of him sharing the Los Angeles stage: not a receiver playing safety, I’m in the secondary, Caputo has a USC’s Adoree Jackson, who’s a a safety. This is who I am.’ And better grasp of McEvoy’s upside. receiver, defensive back and kick he has to own it.” “He’s an athlete and he knows returner; and UCLA’s Myles Jack, McEvoy’s refresher course in what he’s doing out there,” said who’s a running back and line­ Caputo, a senior captain. “I defi­ backer. McEvoy, by his own ad­ CHRYST ON McEVOY: nitely like playing with him be­ mission, really hasn’t paid much “HE’S A PRETTY UNIQUE cause we’re always on the same attention to what others are do­ page. We trust each other when ATHLETE … BIG, SKILLED GUY ing. He has been too busy. we’re out there. We feed off each “Each week it will get more … HE HAD A GREAT WEEK OF other. There’s a lot of stuff that and more comfortable,” McEvoy PRACTICE AND WE HAD A GOOD helps him play on both sides.” predicted.