Wisconsin considering quarterback switch
October 13, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
Just got done watching the Webcast of Bret Bielema’s weekly news conference. Though the Wisconsin head coach didn’t name a starting quarterback for Saturday’s game at Iowa, it certainly wouldn’t be surprising if junior Dustin Sherer got the nod over senior Allan Evridge. 
For the first time this season, Evridge and Sherer are listed as co-starters on this week’s depth chart. Sherer replaced the struggling Evridge in the third quarter of Saturday’s blowout loss to Penn State and led a nice drive before throwing an interception to Nittany Lions cornerback Lydell Sargeant at the goal line. The 6-foot-4, 213-pound junior completed 9 of 17 passes for 115 yards in the game.
Evridge, the opening-day starter, didn’t deliver the encouraging performance he needed after Bielema asked for better accuracy. Despite showcasing his running ability on several plays, Evridge completed just 2 of 10 passes with an interception and a lost fumble. Evridge has completed just 53.8 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and five interceptions this season.
Both Bielema and offensive coordinator Paul Chryst were pleased with Sherer’s play against the Lions.
“Paul and I have had discussions the last couple of weeks about the quarterback situation, where we’d go,” Bielema said today. “On Sunday, we both agreed that Dustin, when he was in there, did a lot of good things. Obviously, Paul’s dealing with him on a daily basis and can better gauge what he thinks they might do when put in the situation. I liked Dustin’s response.
“On the same account, Allan, on that scoring drive did a lot of things that we’ve been asking and expected him to do as far as taking off with the football. He did some things, but we made the switch with Dustin. How they handle this week will determine how they handle Saturday.”
Asked if the team’s long-term future could impact the decision — Sherer has another year of eligibility, Evridge doesn’t — Bielema replied, “Absolutely not.”
Wisconsin could get starting left tackle Gabe Carimi back from a knee injury against Iowa. Carimi “was convinced he’d be able to go” at Sunday’s practice after sitting out Saturday’s game. Starting right guard Kraig Urbik also could return from a knee injury, which Wisconsin’s training staff thinks is not as serious as Carimi’s.
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