MADISON – The scene was awkward at the least.
That day again in August when Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo introduced that Tyler Van Dyke could be the staff’s beginning quarterback occurred to be the day when the Badgers’ sign callers had been scheduled to converse with the media.
The timing of all of it meant that Braedyn Locke had the pleasure of standing in entrance of reporters and answering questions on why he didn’t get the job. Talk a few robust project. His disappointment was not possible to disguise, although he managed it with the stage of composure you want from a man taking part in the sport’s highest-profile place.
Then he went again to work.
“Obviously it’s not the best thing to hear you’re going to be the No. 2 on the season, but he kept consistent what he was doing every single day,” receiver C.J. Williams mentioned.
That work and strategy is not only why Locke feels assured in his capability to lead the staff in the wake of Van Dyke’s season-ending knee harm however why so many of his teammates are believers, too.
Ask them about Locke they usually’ll discuss somebody who does all the proper issues, breeds confidence due to his command of the offense and the means he carries himself.
“Honestly he walked in with that when he came in last year,” senior middle Jake Renfro mentioned of Locke’s swagger. “He’s a special cat for sure. I love having him behind me. I love playing for him for sure.”
Locke will make his first begin of the season Saturday afternoon in opposition to No. 16 USC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (2:30 p.m. kickoff, CBS).
The redshirt sophomore takes over a Badgers offense that has struggled to make huge performs and push the ball downfield. UW ranks 13th or worse in the Big Ten in scoring, whole yards and passing yards per sport.
Can Locke leap begin the assault?
“I think the confidence he has to control the offense is very noticeable,” redshirt sophomore guard Joe Brunner mentioned. “Last year he was thrown into the same situation and he did a great job, so I think going onto that field, knowing the playbook in and out and being able to run an offense with confidence is what I’ve seen and it’s special. Everyone has his back.”
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Locke realized from final yr's expertise and has grown in the offense since
This marks the second straight yr a Badgers’ beginning quarterback missed time due to harm. Tanner Mordecai broke a bone in his hand throughout the first half in opposition to Iowa final season and missed the subsequent three video games.
UW misplaced that sport, however Locke led the Badgers to a comeback victory at Illinois the subsequent week. That was adopted by a loss to No. 3 Ohio State at house and setback to Indiana on the highway.
He completed the season with 777 yards, 5 touchdowns and one interception, however his 50% completion (76 of 152) was low for a Division I starter. He’ll want to full the next share of throws to win video games.
That stretch, nevertheless, was invaluable for Locke
“For me overall it was really good to experience all the emotions that I think you get in a season just in those three weeks,” he mentioned. “You get a win. You play a tough game and then you get a tough loss, a game that you shouldn’t lose, so I think that has helped me now and will continue to help me as I move forward.”
A yr later Locke’s command of the offense has grown. He is improved bodily.
And most necessary, his reference to the starters is stronger. He spent the complete spring and two weeks of fall camp competing for the beginning job, so he and Van Dyke rotated equally between the first and second items. When Locke stepped into the huddle in opposition to Iowa final season, his stage of familiarity with the No. 1 unit wasn’t shut to the place it's now.
There can be one thing to be mentioned about dealing with a top-five staff like Ohio State in an evening sport or taking part in on the highway as he did at Illinois and Indiana.
“I’ve been out there. I’ve felt the bullets flying,” he mentioned. “I know what it feels like to prepare. I know what it feels like to go on a week-to-week basis now. It was short-lived but definitely did a lot for me.”
In a aid position Locke accomplished 13 of 26 passes for 125 yards and a landing in a 42-10 loss to Alabama. He led a 17-play, 75-yard landing drive in the third quarter and arrange the staff for a area aim strive with a 10-play, 57-yard possession in the second quarter.
He didn’t throw an interception however fumbled twice, although a teammate recovered the ball every time.
Bye week has provided Locke and the Badgers an opportunity to modify
Locke and the coaches then had a bye week to digest his play and modify to him taking the reins of the offense.
He didn’t have the luxurious of that a lot time to put together when he stuffed in for Mordecai final season. Locke doesn’t have Van Dyke’s dimension or mobility, however the Badgers may run the offense with extra tempo with Locke beneath middle.
“The bye week definitely gave us .a chance to get some more reps and look at USC and just gives us a chance to prepare longer than we’d have to,” he mentioned. “I definitely think that is going to be good when you have a new starting quarterback stepping in. I think it came at a good time and I think we used it in the right way for sure.”
While Wisconsin enters the sport hoping to bounce again from a 32-point loss, USC enters the contest recent off a loss at Michigan wherein the protection allowed 290 speeding yards.
Combine the vitality anticipated from a sellout for the first Big Ten house sport in USC historical past and the Badgers could have their fingers full, however Locke understands the alternative that awaits him.
“I’m thankful for it,” he mentioned. “You don’t wish that Tyler goes down or anything like that. You hate it for him. I have to step in. I have to do my job and so I’m extremely excited and ready to do what I can do.”
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