Coan gets more comfortable at QB for Badgers
MADISON – Jack Coan acknowledged he struggled to get a solid night of sleep before making his 2018 debut at Northwestern a couple weeks ago.
Who could blame Wisconsin’s No. 2 quarterback?
Coan knew he was making his first college start when the Badgers faced the Wildcats. He hadn’t played since the 2017 regular-season finale.
Now, with Alex Hornibrook questionable this week having suffered a second concussion Saturday, Coan is preparing to start again when UW (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) faces host Penn State (6-3, 3-3) at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Considering he started at Northwestern and was solid in his secondhalf relief of Hornibrook on Saturday against Rutgers, Coan should be better prepared and more relaxed this week
against the Nittany Lions.
“I thought he handled himself well and knew certainly what we were doing," UW coach Paul Chryst said Monday when asked about Coan's play against Rutgers. "When you get a chance to watch it, he certainly had a good feel for the game.
"I liked what he did and our whole job is – whoever is at quarterback – to help them play to the best of their ability."
Right tackle David Edwards has Coan's back, too.
“He's a great kid,” Edwards said. “I know he works his tail off. Both Alex and him share the same approach when it comes to preparation, the way they practice, and their presence in the huddle is felt.
“I feel really confident with Jack and the things he is able to do.”
Coan has played six quarters this season and his numbers are solid but unspectacular.
He has completed 65.8% of his passes (25 of 38) for 222 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
The UW staff made life easy for Coan against Rutgers by calling 13 consecutive running plays to open the second half.
UW marched 8 yards on six runs for a touchdown and a 17-0 lead with 10 minutes 42 seconds left in the third quarter.
After a Rutgers field goal, UW marched 75 yards on seven runs for a 24-3 lead.
“I don't really care if we run or pass the ball,” Coan said. “Just happy if we are moving the ball and scoring touchdowns.”
After Rutgers put together a touchdown drive to pull within 24-10, Coan got to use his arm.
He completed 4 of 6 passes for 34 yards to lead a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive.
Coan converted two third-down chances on the drive, with accurate throws to Jake Ferguson for 13 yards on third and 12 and to Danny Davis for 12 yards on third and 7.
Coan capped the drive with an 11-yard touchdown to Davis, who split two defenders and dived into the end zone.
“I saw Danny come open and I gave him the ball and he did the rest,” Coan said. “He made an unbelievable move to get in the end zone.”
How might Coan and the UW offense fare against Penn State this week?
The Nittany Lions surrendered 259 rushing yards and 403 total yards in a 42-7 road loss to Michigan on Saturday.
Led by Karan Higdon (20 carries, 132 yards) and Chris Evans (12-57), the Wolverines ran the ball effectively all game.
That took pressure off quarterback Shea Patterson, who completed 11 of 17 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns.
UW, No. 1 in the Big Ten in rushing at 273.0 yards per game, will make life easier for Coan if tailback Jonathan Taylor (6.6 yards per carry), Taiwan Deal (6.7) and Garrett Groshek (6.7) can help control the ball.
“He was a lot more comfortable this game than he was in Northwestern,” wide receiver A.J. Taylor said. “There was a lot more poise, he didn’t really let things get to him and I think that played a factor, you know, that end drive where Danny ended up scoring.”
Coan, a player of few words, acknowledged he felt more comfortable against Rutgers than he did at Northwestern.
"I thought communication was good and I was definitely a little more comfortable the second time around, which was good," he said after practice Monday. "Just getting the plays from the sideline to the huddle is a big thing, managing the play clock and just seeing everything on the field."
Coan, from Sayville, New York, anticipates having a healthy contingent of family members and friends in the stands Saturday.
Yet speaking Monday about the possibility of making his second start, Coan appeared as nervous as a fifth-year senior preparing for his 50th start.
"I've never been too high or too low," he said. "I always try to stay calm and be in the moment and not look too far ahead, which I think helps me."