September 28, 2016 | Football, Mike Lucas
Like his sister, Wisconsin quarterback is not one to back down from a challenge
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BY MIKE LUCAS
UWBadgers.com Senior Writer
MADISON, Wis. — As the pocket collapsed around him — from the on-rushing media contingent Monday, not opposing pass rushers — Wisconsin quarterback Alex Hornibrook assured everybody that he can still walk on campus without drawing looks or attention. "It's just like it was before," he said.
"Before" was before Hornibrook, a redshirt freshman, made his first career start at Michigan State and helped lead the Badgers to a convincing 30-6 win Saturday over the favored Spartans, the defending Big Ten champions and a final four team in the College Football Playoff last season.
If his life has changed because of any newfound celebrity status, he's not aware of it. "People don't usually say anything," he said. "I don't know if they know me and don't say anything, but I can go out with my buddies and go to restaurants and everything. It's all good."
That might change. Not that he's planning on changing. He still enjoys bass fishing on Lake Monona with some of his offensive linemen, Michael Deiter, Beau Benzschawel and Micah Kapoi. "It's fun to relax and listen to music," he said. "Used to fish a lot in the summer. Haven't been for awhile."
Won't be for awhile. The time demands have obviously changed with the football season in full swing. So have the media obligations and interview requests. "It hasn't been too tough to adjust," he said. "But the part I like — the part why I'm here — is just playing football. It's what I've liked since I was young."
Hornibrook's older sister, Mackenzie, can vouch for his competitiveness. "Alex played every sport growing up and he was an always amazing, talented athlete," she said. "He became more and more dedicated to football through high school and that has really become his passion."
Mackenzie Hornibrook knows how much that can mean to a student-athlete. She is one, herself, the senior captain of the Penn State swimming team. "It's a huge honor," she said. "My teammates voted and it means a lot coming from your peers that you're respected and they view you as a leader."
You can understand why she was the leading vote-getter after seeing her resume, namely her academic profile. Hornibrook, 21, who will graduate in May, is a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, a three-time academic all-conference selection and a member of Schreyer Honors College.
Nobody is prouder of her accomplishments, in and out of the pool, than her brother.
"She works harder than anybody I know," said Alex Hornibrook, 19. "In swimming, you work six months for one race. If it doesn't go well, then you've got to do it all over again. It wasn't always easy for her. It was definitely a bumpy road. But I'm happy with where she's at now."
As a youngster, Alex competed on some summer swimming teams.
"But," he said, "my dad called me 'The Rock.'"
Needless to say, it's not the most flattering nickname for a swimmer.
"It was kind of surreal because I grew up watching college football every Saturday and to turn on the TV and watch my brother was a pretty big experience for me."
"He was pretty much a sinker, he didn't swim too well," Mackenzie said. "But it was fun for a couple of years when he was on the team; my younger brother (Jake) was, too. We were pretty competitive as siblings. I'm not very gifted on land so they would often beat me in all of those sports.
"But that's kind of why I loved swimming," said Mackenzie, who set records in the 100 freestyle, the 100 butterfly and the 200 medley relay at Unionville High School (Kennett Square, Pennsylvania). "I knew that I could beat them at a race in the pool."
So what makes Alex Hornibrook tick? Who better to ask than Mackenzie Hornibrook?
"A challenge," she said. "Alex is always up for a challenge, whatever it may be. I know throughout his life, he has always challenged himself in school and he has always challenged himself in sports. He's pretty motivated when he has a hurdle (to clear) or something he needs to work towards."
On having a younger brother who's not only the starting quarterback at a Big Ten school but of a top-10 team, she said, "It's really exciting even though I'm a true Penn Stater and love everything about Penn State. But I've found myself also being a Wisconsin football fan.
"I love supporting my brother. Watching the game last week was so exciting. It was kind of surreal because I grew up watching college football every Saturday and to turn on the TV and watch my brother was a pretty big experience for me."
It was pretty big for him, too, though he wasn't about to let on. Not in front of the press. Instead, he was very controlled, poised and businesslike. "I love going out and practicing every day," he reminded everybody. "Nothing is boring; it's never a drag for me. I just like going out and playing."
He really doesn't sound like someone who would let anything get to his head. Or change the way he goes about things.
"I would definitely say that Alex is grounded," Mackenzie confirmed. "He's very humble. He's a very hard worker."
It runs in the family.
