Wisconsin Football: Why the Passing Game Clicked

The passing game sparked to life for Wisconsin football against the Minnesota Golden Gophers.  So what explains the success of the passing offense on Saturday?

It’s been a trying year for Wisconsin football fans watching Alex Hornibrook.  The redshirt sophomore has certainly had his share of bright moments and baffling decisions.

Yet, he’s piloted a 12-0 team and is a win from the conference title and a College Football Playoff spot.  On Saturday, Hornibrook and Wisconsin football threw the ball well against Minnesota.

In fact, for the first time since his historic week three game at BYU, Hornibrook didn’t throw an interception.  Playing a clean game meant the Badgers didn’t give an overmatched opponent any hope of the upset.

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So not throwing picks is always a huge part of success.  Obvious point but worth underscoring.  Especially with a tough Buckeye defense awaiting.

Early on, Minnesota forced punts on the first couple Wisconsin possessions.  The Gophers dropped safeties down and dialed up run blitzes to close off running lanes.

Of course, that left Wisconsin WRs in single coverage to the outside.  The Badgers did well throwing slant routes and more in-breaking patterns.

The key part was Hornibrook throwing on rhythm in 3-step or even shorter drops.  He didn’t have to worry about the rush on short drops.  He could throw crisp short passes.  In addition, the Gophers were so committed to run defense they weren’t dropping linebackers into zone coverage.

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It was simple.  Speedy WR using their quicks to beat single coverage and move the chains.

Later on, the Badgers started working to the boundary.  One thing Hornibrook did well all game was putting the ball in safe spots. Where his guy makes the catch or its incomplete.

Give him credit for completing that ball to Kendric Pryor while taking a huge hit.  Pryor ran a great stutter set up by those early digs and outs.  But that throw (even while getting tagged) was to the boundary.  No chance for an interception.

Same thing on the TD toss to Kyle Penniston.  He put it to the back of the end zone where its a catch or you live to fight another down.  That’s the right read and good accuracy.

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When Hornibrook is dialed in the Badger offense looks explosive.  You know eventually they’ll run the ball.  That’s always the first choice.  But when the passing game is clicking on quick throws especially on early downs Wisconsin gets really hard to defend.