Luke Fickell’s quarterback decision coming out of Wisconsin’s win over Western Illinois offered a small but notable hint about where things stand behind starter Colton Joseph.
True freshman Ryan Hopkins got his first look in game action, and the Badgers handed him the final drive once the result was already decided. He didn’t get a chance to throw the ball, but he did show a little of what he can do with his legs, finishing with three carries for 11 yards.
That limited cameo still mattered because the backup quarterback situation had been unsettled before kickoff. Hopkins and Louisville transfer Deuce Adams were both listed as reserves, leaving open the possibility that the Badgers could mix and match depending on the situation. Hopkins could handle lower-pressure snaps, while Adams might be the option if Wisconsin ever needed a spot start.
The way Fickell and the staff deployed the reps suggested Hopkins may be the one they trust more right now. Giving the first backup work to the true freshman does not lock anything in, but it does point to a player who may be moving ahead of schedule.
“Shout out Ryan Hopkins, dawg. Still not happy with today’s outcome… lots of improvement needed for EMU.”
For now, there is no quarterback change looming in Madison. Joseph remains the starter, even if his early-season play has not been clean. The Badgers still need him to settle in as the schedule gets tougher.
At the same time, Wisconsin’s quarterback room has been vulnerable to injury in recent years, and Joseph’s running style brings its own risk. If he were to miss time, it would create another major headache for a staff already trying to steady a program under pressure.
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