Dynamic duo
Houston, Hornibrook nearly perfect at quarterback.
Arlington, Texas — Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst insisted he planned to use both quarterbacks in the Cotton Bowl. He didn’t lie. But he did deviate from a formula that led to six consecutive Big Ten victories — with redshirt freshman Alex Hornibrook starting and redshirt senior Bart Houston coming on in relief — and got a near-perfect effort from the duo.
“Those two, they work at it,” Chryst said after UW’s 24-16 victory over previously unbeaten Western Michigan on Monday at AT&T Stadium. “And they care a ton about this team and want to do their part. And you really appreciate that as a coach.”
Chryst had to appreciate these numbers:
Houston, starting for the second consecutive time and fifth time overall, completed 11 of 12 passes (91.7%) for 159 yards.
That tied the Cotton Bowl mark for com- pletion percentage, set by Bobby Layne of Texas in the 1946 game. Layne completed 13 of 14 passes for 246 yards against Missouri.
Hornibrook, who played just two series, hit 2 of 2 attempts for 19 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown, an 8-yarder to tight end Troy Fumagalli, came after Hornibrook absorbed a big hit as he released the ball.
“And 14 attempts isn’t a lot,” Chryst said, “but there were some key third downs in there. And I thought Alex came in and made a heck of a throw to Fums in the red zone.
“And it was good to see Bart finish his career here at Wisconsin the way that he did.”
Houston acknowledged he learned two days before the game he would get the start.
Hornibrook, who did not play in the Big Ten title game because he was recovering from a concussion suffered in the regular-season finale against Minnesota, said coming off the bench for the first time since Week 3 was an adjustment.
“It was a little bit of a different vibe throughout the game when I was on the sideline watching,” he said. “I was just trying to keep myself warmed up the whole game and be ready when I got to go in.”
His first series lasted three plays. His second and final series lasted three plays.
The second series started at the Western Michigan 12 early in the final quarter after T.J. Edwards’ interception.
With UW looking to build on its 17-10 lead, Hornibrook faced third and 6 from the 8. Under pressure, he found Fumagalli in the back of the end zone, between two defenders, for the score.
“I was told I got smacked as I threw it,” Hornibrook said. “I didn’t really notice getting hit.
“It is stuff we work on in practice — getting hit by things while you’re throwing. You’ve just got to focus on one target and be able to adjust to whatever is coming at you.”
Houston’s lone incompletion was a drop by Fumagalli — in the end zone late in the second quarter. Andrew Endicott salvaged the drive with a 30-yard field goal.
Houston, who opened the season as the starter and saw Hornibrook take over the offense for the Big Ten opener, was beaming in the UW locker room.
“It feels good,” he said of his last game. “It hasn’t really sunk in it. The first thing I thought of was: ‘Who do we have next?’
The season is over, young man.
“OK,” Houston said, laughing. “So I guess I’ve got to fly home tomorrow.”