MADISON, Wis. — When fans show up for Wisconsin's spring football game on April 20 at Camp Randall Stadium, they likely won't know what to expect from the team. One thing they can expect, according to first-year coach Gary Andersen, is plenty of points.
While the offense can score touchdowns and field goals, the defense will be able to record points by registering tackles for loss, sacks and three-and outs. Andersen hopes the plan should make for a more competitive game.
"I really think the fans are going to like it at the end," Andersen said Friday morning follow the team's 12th spring practice. "And it'll be more intriguing than a watered-down spring game or people are just kind of not really playing all the time. I think it'll be very entertaining, the kids will be excited about it. It's not a scrimmage. It's much more than a scrimmage. It's got a true feel of a spring game."
Two years ago under coach Bret Bielema, the No. 1 offense went up against the No. 1 defense, and the offense struggled to move the ball. Wisconsin had 23 offensive possessions and failed to score a single touchdown. Though the coaching staff concocted its own scoring system, the actual final score was 3-0.
Last year, Bielema changed the plan so the No. 1 offense would be pitted against the No. 2 defense and the No. 2 offense against the No. 1 defense. As a result, Team Cardinal went on to defeat Team White, 21-10. Running back Melvin Gordon stole the show by carrying 30 times for 159 yards and a touchdown.
Andersen has not yet revealed all the details for this year's spring game.
"There's going to be a running clock, there's four officials, there's first downs, there's a scoring system for the offense and for the defense," he said. "It's really more exciting because there's more points."
Andersen talks social media: Last Friday, Badgers kicker Jack Russell tweeted a picture of himself holding a high-powered gun in a store while wearing a Badgers jacket. The captain read: "How I feel about gun rights …"
Needless to say, the image did not go over well with Wisconsin's coaching staff.
"There was some education there," Andersen said Friday. "We can open up a whole can of worms. But if we see a kid get into a gray area or make a mistake, we definitely educate them and we sit down and talk about it and try to be very proactive."
Andersen said he tries to show players examples of other college athletes who make mistakes on social media but hopes his team ultimately uses sound judgment before posting a tweet or on a Facebook message.
"I expect them to represent the University of Wisconsin and their families very well," he said. "Simple statement from me that I make to them is whoever is important in their life, grandma, grandpa, coach, mom, dad, is going to receive that text in the next two seconds. Are you proud of it? Same thing if you're going to posit it on Facebook. Are they going to feel good about you as a son or a daughter whenever that goes through?"
Schobert impresses: Andersen has raved about the performance of defensive back Joe Schobert during spring practices and continued to express delight with his play when asked about him Friday.
Schobert, a 6-foot-2, 223-pound sophomore from Waukesha, Wis., began spring working with the No. 2 defense at outside linebacker but has moved up to the first team.
"His body is still growing and developing, but what we call the F backer is kind of a glorified rolled down safety who has to be on the line of scrimmage at times, has to be out in space," Andersen said. "It's a special technique and special young man that has to get there. He has to be very versatile. He's handled it well. Right now, he's running with the ones. Deservedly so at this point. He comes to work every day, and I think mentally he has done a nice job of spending the extra time to adjust to the scheme."
Last season, Schobert appeared in eight games for the Badgers.
Rise and shine: For the first time all spring, Andersen on Friday moved practices to early in the morning. The Badgers practiced from 6:30 to 8 a.m., in part, so they could have extra time off before returning for Monday's 4 p.m. practice. That practice is open to the public and will feature a scrimmage.
"We talk all the time about nothing can faze you," Andersen said. "In this game, you don't know what's going to happen. You might jump up 14-0. You might fall down 14-0. You might have to make a play three weeks in a row in the fourth quarter to either win or lose it. That's part of the reason I like to throw curveballs at kids. I think it's good for coaches, too."
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