Sheehy, Hornibrook ‘questionable’
Indianapolis — Wisconsin defensive lineman Conor Sheehy and quarterback Alex Hornibrook on Friday were listed as questionable for the Big Ten Conference title game Saturday against Penn State.
Sheehy (arm) has played end and nose tackle this season and has started 11 of UW’s 12 games. He leads the linemen in tackles with 27. He has 21⁄2 sacks and four tackles for loss.
Hornibrook suffered an apparent concussion in the regular-season finale against Minnesota but practiced all week.
UW was bolstered last week by the return of sophomore nose tackle Olive Sagapolu, who missed five games after suffering a right-arm injury against Ohio State.
Although UW’s base defensive front features three down linemen, defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox likely will use a 2-4-5 look to combat Penn State’s spread attack.
If Sheehy is unable to play, look for ends Alec James (23 tackles, 3 1⁄2 sacks), Chikwe Obasih (19 tackles, 11⁄2 sacks), reserve nose tackle Garrett Rand and Sagapolu to get plenty of work.
“We’ll see if that’s the case,” UW coach Paul Chryst said Friday when asked about the possibility of being without Sheehy. “All year long, when we’ve had players get injured and miss time, you miss them.
“They’re starters, playing a lot for a reason. And yet, also feel good about those that have stepped up.”
UW also could use Billy Hirschfeld and tight end Zander Neuville. Neuville opened camp at defensive end but was moved to offense to bolster the depth. He got work on defense late last week against Minnesota.
Both Hornibrook and Bart Houston have played in each of the last six games and Chryst was asked Friday if he planned to use both against the Nittany Lions.
“We’ll see where Alex kind of finishes out this week,” Chryst said. “And I wouldn’t hesitate if everything goes good.”