Defense beats offense in Badgers’ spring scrimmage

Sophomore quarterback Joel Stave threw for 161 yards and a touchdown as Wisconsin’s defense beat the offense 61-47 in the team’s spring scrimmage on Saturday.

Fully recovered from a broken collarbone suffered on Oct.27, Stave staked his claim for the open quarterback job for the reigning three-time Big Ten champions under first-year coach Gary Andersen, completing 11 of his first 13 passes before finishing 15 for 20.

Utilizing a scoring system that awarded points for first downs, 10-yard running plays and 20-yard passing plays, Stave led the offense on a nine-play, 71-yard drive that tailback Melvin Gordon finished with an 11-yard scoring run on his first series.

Stave also completed a 5-yard pass to fullback Derek Watt for the game’s only passing touchdown in the second quarter.

Linebackers Joe Schobert and Marcus Trotter had a team-high seven tackles.

Defense beats offense in Badgers’ spring scrimmage