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It’s the second consecutive year the Badgers go into a season of great expectations with a fifth-year senior at the position who is a new starter.
“Really, ever since spring ball, Allan’s been in the huddle, he’s been able to make calls, he’s had game adjustments,” Bielema said.
“He’s definitely got a lot of ability. What he’s been able to do these first couple weeks of camp is separate himself, being able to manage and handle the game. We want him to make good decisions. We don’t need him to be an all-star, we just need him to make the plays that are out there, make the right throws.”
Although Evridge had an up-and-down camp, nobody behind him made a strong push for the job. While junior Dustin Sherer is listed as the backup, that competition will remain open at least through Friday.
“Really, Dustin Sherer, (sophomore) Scott Tolzien and (redshirt freshman) James Stallons are kind of in a competition mode, even as we speak,” Bielema said. “They were right there neck and neck, all the way through. If we had to play a game tomorrow, Dustin would be the guy, based on experience.”
In the end, Sherer couldn’t overcome the experience of Evridge, who started six games as a redshirt freshman at Kansas State before transferring.
Evridge also was the backup last season behind Tyler Donovan and played in seven games, completing five of 12 passes for 66 yards. Sherer appeared in only one game, taking a knee at the end of the victory over Indiana.
“Obviously, I think Allan had the advantage because he’s older, he played at Kansas State,” Sherer said last week. “I understand that. (But) it’s not my fault I haven’t played that much.”
This moment has been a long time coming for Evridge, who decided to transfer during camp in 2006. He did not think he would get a chance to compete for the starting job under new coach Ron Prince at Kansas State.
Evridge sat out his transfer year, paying his own way the first semester because no scholarship was available. He lost the starting job in a tight battle with Donovan a year ago. Evridge started to assert himself more during summer drills and also let his leadership qualities show.
“It’s a very tight group downstairs (in the locker room),” Evridge said earlier in camp. “That’s one of the first things I noticed when I came here on a visit, it was like a family, those guys were all great.
“They’ve been awesome, kind of accepted me. I’ve been here now longer than I was (at Kansas State). They’re all a great bunch of guys and a lot of fun.”
Sophomore Maurice Moore, who had been working ahead of sophomore Kyle Jefferson lately with the No. 1 offense, was named one of the starting receivers, with sophomore David Gilreath.
“The thing I like about ’Mo,’ he’s just taken advantage of every opportunity,” Bielema said. “He knows all three (receiver) positions. He’s really become a student of the game.”
Junior Jaevery McFadden beat out sophomore Culmer St. Jean at middle linebacker. One factor is McFadden is better in pass defense and the schedule is laden with spread offenses.
“I think Jaevery got his hands on four balls (Tuesday) and I know he got his hands on three (Wednesday),” Bielema said. “He’s really been productive in pass coverage.”
Senior Allen Langford has made a strong comeback from ACL surgery and was listed as the co-starter at right cornerback, along with sophomore Niles Brinkley. Both of them have been rotating with the No. 1 defense, along with redshirt freshman Mario Goins, the starter on the left side.
“Lang is just steady,” Bielema said. “He’s probably had as nice a fall camp as we could expect. He hasn’t missed one day of practice, he doesn’t take nights off after that surgery. He’s been out there all the time. ... Plus he’s playing with a little bit of an edge, I think.”
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