Peavy waiting his turn behind young receivers.
MADISON – Jazz Peavy insists he's not frustrated or resentful.
“Winning is what stands out most,” Wisconsin’s fifth-year senior wide receiver said when asked about his minimal statistical contributions so far this season. “That’s really all I care about. I like to win. I love to win with my guys.
“The big plays individually we all have are awesome, great to watch … but at the end of the day if we’re not winning it doesn’t mean much to me.”
UW (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten), ranked No. 8 in the Amway coaches poll, is winning.
The Badgers can take over sole possession of the Big Ten West Division with a victory Saturday night at Nebraska (3-2, 2-0).
Peavy’s individual contributions, however, are down considerably from last season.
The standout from Kenosha Tremper led UW in catches (16), receiving yards (274) and receiving touchdowns (two) through four games last season.
He went on to finish second on the team in catches (43) and lead the team in receiving yards (635) and touchdown receptions (five).
Through four games this season, Peavy has five catches for 55 yards and no touchdowns.
The development of sophomores Quintez Cephus and A.J. Taylor and the emergence of freshman Danny Davis have meant fewer reps and chances for Peavy.
“To have that depth is important to not only create a competitive environment but to continue to develop,” wide receivers coach Ted Gilmore said recently when asked about the unit. “So when you do lose a guy to graduation you have someone in position that is capable and ready to step in. It is a must. We needed it.
“We think we’ve got some young men that love the game and want to compete.”
Cephus is second on the team and first among the wide receivers in catches (14) and receiving yards (233). He is tied with tight end Troy Fumagalli for the team lead in touchdown catches (three).
Taylor has seven catches for 105 yards and a touchdown, and Davis has six catches for 152 yards and a touchdown.
Asked about the rise of the youngsters, Peavy said he anticipated the development as early as the summer.
“I’ve always accepted it because I knew from the summer and going into fall camp and I’ve been saying it from Day 1 that we had a lot of guys that could get the ball and would get the ball,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of weapons and I knew how it could be. It is one of those things where it is going to be a week-toweek thing.”
Fumagalli led UW in catches in the opener against Utah State (5105-1) and in Week 2 against Florida Atlantic (8-92-1).
Cephus took the honors in Week 3 at BYU (5-54-2) and again Saturday against Northwestern (499-0). “At BYU it was Quintez,” Peavy said. “He had a big day. Before that it was Troy. It could be anybody. And whenever my time comes you just want to make sure you’re ready.
“It is very deep and the coaches can trust any of us to go out there and be put in our positions and make a play.”
Peavy had just two touches Saturday against Northwestern.
He lost a fumble on his lone reception, on UW’s first offensive play. He later ran an end-around that resulted in no gain.
"His time is going to come; he’ll make the plays," redshirt junior left tackle Michael Deiter said. "But we’ve got a lot of guys around him that make plays and that makes us a more balanced offense. That helps us.
"He knows that. He is mature. He’s handling it."
Peavy said he hasn’t approached Gilmore about his reduced role. Gilmore made it clear before the season that competition was open and the productive players would play.
“It’s nothing I am angry about,” Peavy said. “He said we want receivers who want the ball and are willing to compete like that and willing to do more. I’m just waiting for my game, my moment."