MADISON, Wis. -- Members of Wisconsin's wide receivers group already know the questions before they're asked: about both their overall lack of production and the way in which they've been used this season. It's easy to know what's coming, after all, when they've spent so much time contemplating the same topic.
Statistics will show that Kenzel Doe, Rob Wheelwright and Reggie Love have combined to make two catches for 11 yards with no touchdowns this season. They have unofficially been targeted 10 times through four games. Those three players in particular were expected to be integral components to the team's success at receiver. Instead, they have given fans and coaches more cause for concern that not enough change has taken place.
All three players can best sum up the predicament in one word.
"It's a little frustrating," Doe said.
"It's too frustrating," Wheelwright said.
"I guess it's a mixture of frustration and keeping patient," Love said.
Wisconsin's receivers say they want to be utilized more. But they also have to earn the trust of the coaching staff. And once they're on the field, that doesn't guarantee they'll be open. If they are open, there is no assurance quarterback Tanner McEvoy will be patient enough to make the necessary progressions in his reads. That cycle has led to a disappointing start to the season among the receivers.
Badgers coach Gary Andersen said the team's passing offense was "not good" following a 27-10 victory against South Florida on Saturday. He elaborated Monday and said he'd like to see the team's three freshmen receivers play with more consistency. He also may well have been speaking about the rest of the group.
"We don't want to be pigeonholed as an offense," Andersen said. "And we're trying hard not to be, to say this is who we are and where we're going to throw the ball and who we're going to throw the ball to. So remaining creative and finding new ways and looks to get young men balls is on high alert for us as a staff. And I'm sure it's on high alert for the kids to get on the field."
Statistics show Alex Erickson is the only receiver on the team with more than two catches. He has excelled with 21 catches for 256 yards and a touchdown. Jordan Fredrick has two catches, while Doe, Love and freshman George Rushing each have one catch. Those combinations have done little to strike fear in opposing secondaries, as Wisconsin's passing offense ranks 113th nationally.
Following Wisconsin's spring game in April, Doe talked openly about his desire to become the team's No. 1 wide receiver threat. But that has not materialized for the 5-foot-8, 176-pound senior.
"You want to be a complete receiver and stuff like that," Doe said. "I know I'm small and the return game is where I make my mark and stuff like that. Actually playing offense is like, 'Man I want to catch the ball, too.' I just don't want to be considered a return man. Not in college, anyway.
"It's a little frustrating. But I'll play through it. I'm just accepting the role that they give me. If they come to me, then I'll make the best of my opportunity. If not, then I'll make the best of my opportunity on special teams."
Doe has become an integral weapon on special teams. He posted career bests earlier this season against Bowling Green for punt returns (seven), return yards (98) and all-purpose yards (187). His separate punt returns of 40 and 38 yards helped set up Wisconsin touchdowns.
Still, he never thought it would take until the fourth game this season for him to record a catch. Doe is a slot man, and many of the shorter throws have gone to tight ends and running backs this season.
"Just being out there, you want the ball so bad," Doe said. "Obviously every receiver wants to catch the ball. Sometimes it just ends up falling like that with the system we're in."
Wheelwright and Love, meanwhile, have had to build back trust with the staff after tough starts to the season.
Wheelwright sustained an injury during fall camp that kept him off the practice field into the early part of the season. He did not travel with the team for the season opener against LSU and said the setback "played a huge role" in his slow start. But he also has struggled since returning.
The most notable play from Wheelwright came against Bowling Green when he cut a route short over the middle, which led to a McEvoy interception. Wheelwright did not play the rest of the game.
"I still have to gain a little trust, but I know the coaches believe in me," Wheelwright said. "It was one play. Hopefully they can look past that. I feel like we're moving forward, starting to get back in the personnel and stuff like that. So it's looking positive so far."
Wisconsin officially ran 75 offensive plays against South Florida on Saturday. Wheelwright said he entered the game for all of one of those plays. Love estimated that he played either "seven or eight" snaps against South Florida.
Love emerged as one of the top receiver threats for Wisconsin during fall camp. And in the season opener, he scored a 45-yard touchdown on a jet sweep around the left side of the field. But his only catch has gone for two yards, and that also came back in the opener more than a month ago.
Love dropped what would have been a 67-yard touchdown pass from McEvoy during the Western Illinois game, and he has not been thrown at much since.
"It's frustrating, but you can't get down," Love said. "Me and Rob talked about this plenty of times. We're not going to get down on ourselves. We're going to keep a positive attitude. We're just going to come out here and work. When an opportunity presents itself, then we have to make the most of it."
Given that Wisconsin has such limited options at receiver outside of Doe, Love and Wheelwright, one would suspect they'd be used more extensively as Big Ten play arrives. The Badgers will need more offensive balance, and all three players are hoping they can provide some help in that area.
The three receivers recognize a one-dimensional offense won't be enough to win conference games. Now, they're simply looking for that next opportunity.
"I feel like they're going to spread it around a little bit more," Doe said. "That's nothing we can really control. We've just got to go out there and play, and hopefully the ball will come to us."
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