Hornibrook to Cephus a productive connection
MADISON – The threat of rain forced Wisconsin to practice inside the McClain Center on Friday.
The Badgers held their 14th practice of camp, a relatively light session that lasted about 90 minutes.
Highlights follow.
What went right
Wide receivers coach Ted Gilmore noted this week that Quintez Cephus, who missed UW’s final five games last season after suffering a broken right leg, was still running a bit tentatively at times.
According to Gilmore, Cephus didn’t show any lingering effects of the injury when forced to battle against tight coverage — he didn’t think, he just competed.
The tentative play came when Cephus was running unchallenged and appeared to be a bit hesitant about planting his right foot in the ground and exploding out of his break.
Cephus was on his game during practice Friday, however, with two impressive touchdown catches in the red-zone segment.
Quarterback Alex Hornibrook delivered both strikes, of 14 and 17 yards.
Hornibrook delivered a backshoulder throw on the first play and Cephus adjusted and made the catch despite tight coverage from cornerback Caesar Williams.
Unable to find an open receiver early on the second play, Hornibrook stepped up into the pocket. Cephus then adjusted his route to come back toward the line of scrimmage and elude cornerback Rachad Wildgoose.
Hornibrook delivered a strike for an easy score.
That duo combined for six touchdowns in nine games last season and as one observer noted Friday, the chemistry between the two remains intact.
What went wrong
Injuries can mount in preseason camp and UW’s injury list is getting unwieldy.
Offensive linemen Beau Benzschawel (arm) and David Edwards (arm) remained limited Friday. Coupled with the staff’s decision to hold out Jon Dietzen (leg), that meant UW again worked with a makeshift line.
Cole Van Lanen replaced Dietzen at left tackle on the No. 1 line, Jason Erdmann took over for Benzschawel at right guard and Logan Bruss continued to work at right tackle in place of Edwards.
From the infirmary
Kicker Rafael Gaglianone (back/ leg), defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk (knee) and tailback Bradrick Shaw (knee) continue to focus on rehabilitation.
Fullback Alec Ingold (leg) was held out, as were safeties Patrick Johnson (head) and Eric Burrell (leg), wide receiver A.J. Taylor (foot/ankle), linebacker Jack Sanborn (leg), offensive lineman David Moorman (knee) and defensive back Travian Blaylock (leg).
Linebacker T.J. Edwards (hamstring) was limited after getting a day away from the field Thursday.
Neuville progressing
Senior tight end Zander Neuville appears to be making significant progress in returning to full duty from a right-hamstring injury suffered Aug. 4.
Neuville did individual work again Friday and ran sprints in the end zone to test the leg.