Wisconsin Football: 3 takeaways from Badgers’ win over Purdue
2. Quintez Cephus is the Badgers’ big-play aerial threat
Sophomore wide receiver Quintez Cephus was thought to have an expanded role this season after a successful freshman campaign, but not many thought his contributions would amount to what he has done so far in 2017.
Entering the season as wide receiver No. 2, Cephus was basically the third target in the Badgers’ passing game behind wide out Jazz Peavy and preseason All-American tight end Troy Fumagalli. Add in the fact that Wisconsin is primarily a run-first offense, Cephus’ moments appeared to be few and far between.
Coming into Saturday’s matchup against Purdue, Cephus came in as the Badgers’ leading receiver. More impressively, he is averaging nearly 17 yards per catch.
Cephus came up clutch in many different ways on Saturday against the Boilermakers. Instead of being good for one or two deep bombs, he added in a balance of both big plays as well as much-needed first down conversions.
Cephus has made up nicely for the absence of Peavy and with the lingering injuries surrounding Fumagalli. Against Purdue, he racked up 100 yards on five catches and added the Badgers’ second touchdown of the game. A mixture of vertical athleticism and speed, Cephus is now the go-to target of the Badgers in the deep-play game and also the short, reliable situations.
Quintez Cephus just 7th time a #Badgers player has had 100+ yards receiving vs. Purdue and first since Chris Chambers in 2000.
— Dave Heller ✍️ (@dave_heller) October 14, 2017
As Fumagalli and Peavy start to get healthy, Cephus will likely get even more chances in the passing game moving forward.