Wisconsin QB John Stocco likely out against Iowa

Ok, so this story's a little shady in that it says "a source" is reporting that John Stocco's arm is in a sling ... as though that's a difficult thing to confirm or deny. It's not THAT big of a campus that someone couldn't search John out and see if the arm's in a sling or not ...

from jsonline.com

Madison - If the University of Wisconsin football team ends its four-game losing streak against rival Iowa, it likely will be forced to do so without fifth-year senior quarterback John Stocco.

According to a source, Stocco's throwing arm has been in a sling since at least Sunday and he isn't expected to practice this week or play Saturday when UW (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten Conference) closes league play at Iowa (6-4, 2-4).

Stocco, who has started 35 consecutive games, has a 28-7 record and is two victories shy of the school mark for victories by a quarterback. He suffered an unspecified injury to his right shoulder in UW's 13-3 victory over Penn State last week. Junior Tyler Donovan, a prep All-American at Arrowhead High School, took over for Stocco on the final two series against Penn State and is poised to make his first collegiate start this week.

UW coach Bret Bielema on Monday shared only a few details regarding Stocco's status but did note that one of the hits jarred the shoulder "loose." That choice of words suggests that Stocco suffered more than just a bruise.

"He will be evaluated every day," Bielema said. "The signs coming out of the doctor's voice yesterday were very encouraging for us.

"We don't practice on Mondays and didn't have any practice time on the field Sunday. Whether he will be available Tuesday will be determined Tuesday."

Regardless of Stocco's health status, questions remain about why Stocco was on the field when he suffered the hit that sent him to the bench for good with 10 minutes 7 seconds left in the game.

Stocco first injured the shoulder late in the third quarter when he was hit by linebacker Paul Posluszny.

Stocco completed one pass after the first hit, an 11-yard gain to tight end Andy Crooks, but the play was wiped out by a holding call.

UW ran the ball on the next play and then punted.

After the punt, TV cameras showed Stocco grimacing in obvious pain on the sideline when he tested the shoulder by making a few light throws. The staff opted to send him onto the field on the next series with UW leading, 13-3, though. He completed one pass on the drive, a 14-yard gain to Luke Swan, but was sacked by linebacker Sean Lee two plays later and left the game.

"(We) basically made an evaluation on the sideline at the time of his ability to function as a quarterback," Bielema said. "John felt comfortable and everybody did. Otherwise we wouldn't have put him on the field.

"Unfortunately he kind of jarred it loose again. . . or hurt it, re-aggravated it. That is when he was taken out of the game."

Donovan completed his only pass attempt against Penn State, for 2 yards, and had a 20-yard run on a naked bootleg to pick up a crucial first down when UW was taking time off the clock.
His performance Saturday was much cleaner than his effort in Week 2 against Western Illinois, when he went 0 for 3 with an interception and was sacked twice for 17 yards in losses.

"It ended a little bit ugly," Bielema said. "But there were a lot of new faces in there experiencing college football for the first time."

Saturday against Penn State, Donovan was surrounded by starters.

"Everybody thinks we go through a different game plan or a different approach just because Tyler is in there," Bielema said. "Tyler has been in every one of those (quarterback) meetings. . . .
"I think guys in our program want to be the guy that carries the torch, the next man in."