Wisconsin Football: Grading group performances from week one

Hornibrook was the only quarterback to record a completion Friday night and had arguably the most to prove. As the quarterback of a run-dominant program with an elite running back and offensive line, you wouldn’t think so much attention would be on Hornibrook. But you’d be wrong.

If the Badgers are going to compete for championships this season, Hornibrook has to be part of the reason why. As good as Wisconsin’s running game is, it can only take you so far in the current state of college football. Defenses are so complex and talented, and points are too easy to come by to stick too strictly to the ground game.

The good news is Hornibrook looked great against the Hilltoppers. He showed great pocket awareness when the Hilltopper blitzes weren’t breaking through. He was mobile and able to throw off of unstable platforms. His release looked like it had been sped up a bit too.

He missed some throws throughout the game, but he more than made up for it with the throws he hit. Several times the Badgers were facing uncomfortable distances on third down, and Hornibrook completed passes to keep drives alive.

The most impressive part of Hornibrook’s night was the fact that it was free of interceptions. He made one bone-headed throw that could have resulted in one, but that part of the stat sheet stayed clean for this contest.