Hornibrook, Pryor have play of the day
MADISON – Wisconsin held its 13th practice of preseason camp Thursday at Camp Randall Stadium.
Friday and Saturday are the last practices open to the media.
Here are the highlights from Thursday:
What went right
Quarterback Alex Hornibrook guided the No. 1 offense to a touchdown against the No. 2 defense in the first series of the two-minute drill.
Hornibrook capped the drive with a 26-yard touchdown pass to Kendric Pryor, who adjusted to a back-shoulder throw to make the catch against tight coverage from cornerback Dontye Carriere-Williams.
What went wrong
The injury issues that have hampered fullback Alec Ingold in camp continued.
Ingold has been easing back in from a right-hamstring injury and on Thursday suffered an injury to his lower left leg.
He left the field about one hour into the practice and returned in shorts and a shirt, with a protective wrap on his left leg.
Tight end Joe Ferguson left practice with an apparent right-hip issue. He returned after being examined and got work with the No. 2 offense but was walking a bit gingerly afterward.
Reserve safety Patrick Johnson left after suffering a head injury.
“Pat Johnson has had a very good camp,” defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard said. “He is doing everything we ask of him.”
From the infirmary
Offensive linemen Beau Benzschawel (arm), David Edwards (arm), Jason Erdmann (knee) and Logan Bruss (foot) again participated on a limited basis.
Wide receiver A.J. Taylor (foot) remained out but was no longer wearing a protective boot on his left foot.
Others out included kicker Rafael Gaglianone (back, leg), offensive lineman David Moorman (knee) and linebacker Jack Sanborn (leg).
Tight end Zander Neuville (hamstring) was limited for the second consecutive day.
Cornerback by committee
Leonhard has mixed players at cornerback throughout camp.
Redshirt freshman Faion Hicks and redshirt sophomore Caesar Williams worked with the No. 1 defense Thursday and afterward Leonhard noted they have been the most consistent cornerbacks in camp.
That puts the onus on redshirt sophomore Carriere-Williams, the No. 3 cornerback last season, and redshirt freshman Deron Harrell, a converted wide receiver, to even out their play.
Based on Leonhard’s comments, don’t be surprised if he continues to search for the most dependable cornerbacks during non-conference play.
Another Rocky sequel?
Linebacker T.J. Edwards (hamstring), who had been practicing on a limited basis, was held out Thursday. Edwards didn’t aggravate the injury but rather the staff was being cautious and kept him off the field.
Tailback Chris James saw Edwards coming down the steps and mimicked the Rocky theme. Edwards responded by thrusting his arms into the air and shadow boxing.
Extra points
The staff has been closely monitoring the workload of left tackle Jon Dietzen, who battled hip and ankle problems last season. Another sign of that caution came Thursday when redshirt sophomore Cole Van Lanen got all the work at left tackle with the No. 1 offense . ...
Reserve inside linebacker Mike Maskalunas, who had two pass breakups on Wednesday, added another during skelly (passing drill) Thursday.
Quarterback Jack Coan tried to hit tight end Kyle Penniston, but Maskalunas read the route, broke on the throw and batted the ball down with his right hand . ...
UW officials announced the team’s four captains for 2018. They are fifthyear senior offensive lineman Michael Deiter, fifth-year senior safety D’Cota Dixon, Hornibrook and T.J. Edwards.