D.C. Williams

Young Badgers Tracker: Cephus makes big play

Published Oct. 26, 2016 2:00 p.m. ET

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It's time for another edition looking at the playing time and statistics of the younger players on the roster of the Wisconsin Badgers.

In previous weeks we noted how the young players, other than quarterback Alex Hornibrook, weren't really making an impact for Wisconsin.

That wasn't the case against Iowa.

Freshman wide receiver Quintez Cephus showed his downfield ability in hauling in a 57-yard bomb from Hornibrook, the longest pass play of the season for the Badgers.

Not only that, but Cephus started the game for Wisconsin. That was thanks in part to Rob Wheelwright being hobbled, but it also showed how far Cephus has climbed up the depth chart. The Badgers could always use another good target and perhaps Cephus will be that guy in the second half of the season.

By the way, Cephus' long reception broke the season record of 54 yards, which was set earlier in the game by redshirt freshman Kyle Penniston on a catch and run. Neither player had a reception in Big Ten play coming into the game.

Here's the complete rundown of young Badgers with season stats:

Have not played; Kevin Estes, OL; Mitchell Herl, TE; Zach Hintze, K; Henry Houden, WR; Kraig Howe, DE; Troy Laufenberg, RB; Blake Mielke, S; David Plaff, DE; Max Praschak, OLB; Gunner Roberge, NT; Kelly Thomas, DE; Nick Thomas, ILB; Bret Verstegen, S; Jake Whalen, OLB

Dave Heller is the author of the upcoming book Ken Williams: A Slugger in Ruth's Shadow as well as Facing Ted Williams Players From the Golden Age of Baseball Recall the Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived and As Good As It Got: The 1944 St. Louis Browns

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