Wisconsin Football: Badgers call timeout before first play

Wisconsin football has had a tumultuous season, but their pre-game timeout against Northwestern was a new low for the Badgers.

Northwestern booted the opening kickoff out of bounds and the Wisconsin offense took the field for the first time in the game. Sort of. Starting quarterback Alex Hornibrook was still in the concussion protocol. That forced the Badgers to turn to sophomore Jack Coan who made his first start on Saturday.

The backup to Hornibrook last year as well, Coan attempted and completed five passes last season for 36 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. He hadn’t attempted a pass this year prior to the Northwestern game.

Coan and the offense had to wait before they were able to get going, though. In the short span of time between the opening kickoff and the Badgers taking the field the team was forced to burn a timeout. That’s right. Wisconsin took a timeout before their play of the game.

To say that’s not how you draw it up would be an understatement. Teams have entire drives scripted out and handpicked plays already in place, especially with a new quarterback in the game. Coan and the offense knew what they needed to do as soon as they got on the field, and for whatever reason, they weren’t able to achieve it without wasting a timeout.

Even with the extra time, Wisconsin was forced to punt on their opening possession. Coan completed his lone pass attempt, an eight-yard play to A.J. Taylor. That left them with one less time out and no points to show for it.

Wisconsin opened as a 6-point favorite against Northwestern before the line was bet down to 4.5 points during the week. Oddsmakers expect this to be a close game, one where every play (and timeout) is important.