Alex Hornibrook shines in spring game, but Wisconsin’s QB competition far from over

7:48 PM ET

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.

Redshirt freshman Alex Hornibrook completed 4 of 8 attempts in Wisconsin’s spring game for 138 yards and two TDs; fifth-year senior Bart Houston went 7-of-13 for 73 yards. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY Network

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 …

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