Injuries continue to impact Wisconsin's offense
October 26, 2015 | Football, Andy Baggot
Already-depleted offense loses two more starters in Voltz and Wheelwright
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BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
MADISON, Wis. -- Injuries continue to slice into the heart of the Wisconsin football team and the cut was especially deep Monday when two starters were put on the shelf for extended periods.
It was announced that junior center Dan Voltz (knee) will miss the rest of the season and junior wide receiver Robert Wheelwright (leg) will be out at least until a bowl game with injuries sustained Saturday during a 24-13 Big Ten Conference victory at Illinois.
The news continued a nasty trend for the Badgers, especially on offense where only three players have been healthy enough to start all eight games this season.
The injury to Voltz, regarded as one of the best at his position in the nation, leaves senior left tackle Tyler Marz as the only member of the two-deep who began the season with any starting experience on the offensive line.
Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst took a philosophical stance regarding the latest injury headlines, saying that while he's excited for the opportunities that await the backups, "you feel bad for the guys that miss time. They put a lot into this and they love playing the game."
Chryst said Voltz, a three-year starter, "meant a lot to this team and certainly the offensive line."
Going into a Big Ten meeting with Rutgers at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, the Badgers have five redshirt freshmen in the two-deep on the offensive line, and three are projected to start: Micah Kapoi at left guard, Michael Deiter at center and Beau Benzschawel at right tackle. They'll be joining Marz and junior right guard Walker Williams, a part-time starter this season.
Depth on the offensive line is razor thin. Three backups – redshirt freshman Brett Connors, redshirt freshman Jacob Maxwell and junior Logan Schmidt – have one college start between them.
Chryst said two veterans – senior Ray Ball (arm) and sophomore Hayden Biegel (head) – aren't options due to ongoing health issues.
"We'll never put in a guy who's not ready," Chryst said. "It's not like we haven't had time to work with guys and develop them."
Chryst said the news on Wheelwright, who leads the team in touchdown receptions with four and is second with 28 catches, was disappointing in part because he was "playing really good football."
Senior Tanner McEvoy is listed as the starter at both wide receiver, replacing Wheelwright, and free safety.
Senior quarterback Joel Stave (head) also was injured in the victory over the Illini. He's listed as the starter on the depth chart, but Chryst acknowledged Stave continues to work through UW's concussion protocol.
If Stave can't go, junior Bart Houston will get the call. He came off the bench vs. Illinois and threw for a career-high 232 yards, completing 27 of 33 passes for two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Chryst said he liked the fact Houston "was true to himself" and "the moment didn't change who he was."
Junior tailback Corey Clement (sports hernia) remains questionable for the Rutgers game. He appeared to be on track to play against Illinois, but didn't make the trip in order to continue his conditioning and rehabilitation.
"We'll see what this week brings," Chryst said of Clement, who's been out since an abbreviated outing vs. Alabama in the season opener Sept. 5. "Practice will determine when he's ready."
Redshirt freshman Taiwan Deal (ankle) is listed as the backup to tailback Dare Ogunbowale for the Rutgers game, but it's expected that true freshman Alec Ingold will continue to get important touches.
Chryst was asked at his weekly press conference if the wave of injuries has knocked his players off balance.
"One of qualities of team that I like … they don't take anything for granted and don't let (injuries) affect them," he said.
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