Luke Fickell assesses if Wisconsin will make tweaks at quarterback

Injuries have cost Wisconsin this season, including a broken finger for quarterback Tanner Mordecai that has seen the Badgers turn to backup Braedyn Locke down the stretch. And as the offense has struggled, head coach Luke Fickell has had to consider what else might be done at the quarterback position.

Locke has been adequate, but Fickell admitted he’s considered trying to find ways for backup Myles Burkett — who has a bit more rushing upside — into the game. But it’s not as simple as just dropping Burkett into a game.

“Those are thoughts, but we’ve gotta go with what we believe is the best way for us to win the football game. And right now, we don’t believe that that’s the way to do it. But, as we continue to move forward, we might have to find some other ways, even if there are little packages, even if there are just opportunities for those guys. But you also gotta make sure you can take care of the football,” Fickell said.

The issue of ball security was paramount for Fickell when talking about potentially platooning quarterbacks. Wisconsin is already playing a backup who has fewer reps banked with the starting center and offensive cast of characters in Locke, so throwing an even lesser experienced player in at quarterback could be perilous.

Conversely, the Badgers have struggled in recent weeks, including turning the ball over four times in the last three games — all fumbles. And Wisconsin mustered just six total touchdowns in that span, a paltry output.

So having lost the last two games, in which the Badgers scored 24 combined points, Fickell isn’t saying no to anything on the offensive end at this point.

“You throw another guy in there at the quarterback position that has taken zero snaps, and you’re in your last three weeks of the season, there’s a lot of tough things, just trust-wise and taking care of the football and not putting yourself in a really bad situation. But I think that that’s the challenge for us as we move down the stretch and that’s the challenge i’ve had a little bit for offense. Based on some of the things we’ve got, we might have to be a little more creative and find ways to get some of the guys that can make some plays on the field, whether that’s with their arm or their feet,” Fickell said.