MADISON, Wis. -- In the midst of praising quarterback Alex Hornibrook for his performance Saturday, Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst stopped to offer a couple caveats he wanted everyone to consider.
Yes, Hornibrook had played well during the spring game, Chryst noted. It also represented only one of 15 practices during the spring -- no more important than any other day.
"And it's April," Chryst said.
In that context, then, Hornibrook didn't necessarily alter the course of Wisconsin's quarterback plans for the fall. After all, the Badgers don't play an actual game for 133 days, when they open the season Sept. 3 against LSU at Lambeau Field.
But if sports are supposed to be about competition, even a spring scrimmage in front of 9,181 fans mattered. And Hornibrook, a redshirt freshman, demonstrated he won't go away quietly against fifth-year senior Bart Houston in a two-man quarterback battle that could rage deep into fall camp.
"It's pretty neck-and-neck," Badgers running back Corey Clement said.
"It's going to be probably a last-minute thing," added receiver Jazz Peavy.
Hornibrook outshined Houston at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday by showcasing one of his greatest strengths -- a consistently accurate downfield passing attack. Three times he found a receiver for a play of more than 35 yards. He finished the day completing 4 of 8 passes for 138 yards with two touchdowns to receiver George Rushing.
Hornibrook connected on a beautiful 46-yard touchdown to Rushing, who blew past cornerback Natrell Jamerson from the slot and watched Hornibrook's pass perfectly fall into his hands. Later, Hornibrook threw a 43-yard score to Rushing, who broke a tackle attempt from cornerback Derrick Tindal.
The final completion was a 37-yarder to receiver Peter Roy on a third-and-10 near midfield to get the offense down to the 6-yard line. Badgers kicker Andrew Endicott eventually closed the drive -- and the scrimmage -- by burying a 21-yard field goal.
"He did some good things today, and I think he's done some good things in most of the practices we've had," Chryst said of Hornibrook. "He hasn't played a game yet. This wasn't a game. ... I thought he had poise, and the one thing that Alex does is he's an accurate deep-ball passer. He gives us a chance to make a play."
Houston, meanwhile, completed 7 of 13 passes for 73 yards. His longest completion was a 19-yard pass to tailback Bradrick Shaw, though he did lead the opening touchdown drive, when Clement carried five times for 36 yards and scored on a 9-yard run. Houston's best chance for a touchdown pass fell by the wayside when he overthrew Rushing after he had beaten Jamerson down the right side of the field.
Although Hornibrook bettered Houston on Saturday, Wisconsin's coaching staff will have many elements to consider when it decides on the quarterback tasked with replacing Joel Stave. Houston is the only signal-caller on the roster to even play in a college game, having made 15 career appearances. He performed well in relief of an injured Stave last season in a victory against Illinois, completing 22 of 33 passes for 232 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
The Badgers also will play perhaps the most difficult early-season schedule in program history -- opening with LSU and then beginning Big Ten play against Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa -- and Houston's experience could be vital during that stretch.
Houston has remained even-keeled about the quarterback battle, and he credited the fact he has seen so many of them in his career.
"It's going to be a competition from the spring and the summer and the fall," Houston said. "You watch Alex, he makes a couple throws. You watch me, I make a couple throws. It's all about moving the ball. You always want to move the ball in scrimmage drills more than the other [guy]. But you've got to look at the picture as a whole."
Neither quarterback managed to separate himself during Wisconsin's first 14 spring practices as each learned what throws he was capable of making. During one practice two weeks ago, Hornibrook threw five interceptions in team drills while Houston tossed two. On Saturday, Hornibrook was nearly intercepted for a touchdown when he underthrew tight end Kyle Penniston on third-and-goal from the 3, but safety Keelon Brookins dropped the ball. Still, Hornibrook's ability to pick up the playbook in recent weeks has impressed coaches and teammates.
Peavy said it took him two years to grasp the offense, while Hornibrook has done so in half the time. Houston acknowledged the way in which Hornibrook's progression in his reads has changed, from focusing on the first receiver to seeing the entire play develop.
"I think I've started to feel a little bit more comfortable out there," Hornibrook said. "I feel like I've taken more control of the offense."
Chryst has seen development in both of his quarterbacks this spring. And while Hornibrook left an impression Saturday, the coach, entering his second season at the helm in Madison, made it clear nothing has been decided just yet -- nor will it be anytime soon.
"I told them the other day, we're not where we want to be, but I don't think they're behind schedule," Chryst said. "We've truly got to take advantage of fall camp and those 29 practice opportunities before we open up, but I think both Alex and Bart did do a lot this spring, and with that, I think they've grown. I think they're in a good spot, but we've got a ways to go."
