It’s easy to rip on John Stocco, but it’s hard to argue with his success.
The University of Wisconsin senior has weathered criticism during his three seasons as the Badgers’ starting quarterback, but his record of 25-7 cannot be argued with. Say what you want, but the guy has won a lot of games.
No, he doesn't have the flash that Matt Leinart or Vince Young had last year for USC or Texas, respectively. He doesn't have a cannon arm that would make him one of Mel Kiper, Jr.’s favorite topics of discussion, but when the day is done, a player is judged on victories, and Stocco’s got them.
On top of that, after throwing for 220 yards in a 41-9 thrashing of Northwestern on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium, Stocco has amassed 6,238 passing yards in his career, trailing only Darrell Bevell on UW’s all-time list. He’s also on pace to finish as the school’s career victories leader.
Stocco struggled early on, but last season came into his own in the Capital One Bowl against Auburn, in which he completed 15 of 27 throws for 301 yards with a pair of touchdowns as the Badgers sent Barry Alvarez out in style with a 24-10 victory.
Lacking the scrambling ability of his predecessor, Brooks Bollinger, and having some talented receivers (Lee Evans, Jonathan Orr, Brandon Williams) as well as a strong running game (Anthony Davis, Brian Calhoun), Stocco matured without a lot of pressure on his shoulders. In essence, he wasn't asked to win games as much as not to lose them.
He’s gotten the job done, and he’s done it quietly. Sometimes the best quarterback is the smart quarterback. With just 17 interceptions to go with 38 touchdowns, it’s apparent that he understands of his limitations and role within the offense.
Quarterbacks as a group took a lot of shots at Wisconsin during the Alvarez era. Bevell was lucky to have options; Mike Samuel was chastised for being nothing more than a glorified option quarterback, yet still found a way to notch 27 victories as a starter (the school record at the time).
Samuel was hated by the Badger faithful the whole time, being blamed as the reason Wisconsin never won a national championship. Still, coming out on top 27 times, including in the 1999 Rose Bowl, is quite an accomplishment.
Bollinger heard the same jeers, and he set the school record with 30 victories. He, too, was seemingly a bum that hindered the offense and kept Wisconsin from being a serious national title contender. His backup, Jim Sorgi, was the most popular man on campus for awhile, but once he got the full-time job in 2003, he got similar treatment. Admittedly, he was a better passer from the mechanical standpoint, but lacked the leadership exhibited by Bollinger.
The simple fact is, Wisconsin under Alvarez didn't need a blue chip, top-three quarterback to win in the Big Ten. Alvarez played the old-school running game in which the quarterback just threw to give his backs a breather.
Funny how things work out. Both of those guys ended up in the National Football League, and a handful of scouts see Stocco getting serious looks, as well.
During the Dayne era, Alvarez practically walked to midfield and handed opposing coaches the playbook, saying "I dare you to stop me." Stocco, like his predecessors didn't need to put up first-round draft pick numbers to win games. He just did what he was good at.
Stocco-led teams have been ranked as high as fourth in the nation. He’s proved his critics wrong time and time again, and will probably leave UW after this season is over never having gotten due credit. And that’s a shame. The team follows him and respects him as their quarterback and leader. That kind of trust is what makes a good team successful.
No doubt, Bret Bielema would do well to upgrade the position in years to come if he wants to take Bucky to the next level. But until then, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to rip on a guy who has done little other than win since lining up under center.
The University of Wisconsin senior has weathered criticism during his three seasons as the Badgers’ starting quarterback, but his record of 25-7 cannot be argued with. Say what you want, but the guy has won a lot of games.
No, he doesn't have the flash that Matt Leinart or Vince Young had last year for USC or Texas, respectively. He doesn't have a cannon arm that would make him one of Mel Kiper, Jr.’s favorite topics of discussion, but when the day is done, a player is judged on victories, and Stocco’s got them.
On top of that, after throwing for 220 yards in a 41-9 thrashing of Northwestern on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium, Stocco has amassed 6,238 passing yards in his career, trailing only Darrell Bevell on UW’s all-time list. He’s also on pace to finish as the school’s career victories leader.
Stocco struggled early on, but last season came into his own in the Capital One Bowl against Auburn, in which he completed 15 of 27 throws for 301 yards with a pair of touchdowns as the Badgers sent Barry Alvarez out in style with a 24-10 victory.
Lacking the scrambling ability of his predecessor, Brooks Bollinger, and having some talented receivers (Lee Evans, Jonathan Orr, Brandon Williams) as well as a strong running game (Anthony Davis, Brian Calhoun), Stocco matured without a lot of pressure on his shoulders. In essence, he wasn't asked to win games as much as not to lose them.
He’s gotten the job done, and he’s done it quietly. Sometimes the best quarterback is the smart quarterback. With just 17 interceptions to go with 38 touchdowns, it’s apparent that he understands of his limitations and role within the offense.
Quarterbacks as a group took a lot of shots at Wisconsin during the Alvarez era. Bevell was lucky to have options; Mike Samuel was chastised for being nothing more than a glorified option quarterback, yet still found a way to notch 27 victories as a starter (the school record at the time).
Samuel was hated by the Badger faithful the whole time, being blamed as the reason Wisconsin never won a national championship. Still, coming out on top 27 times, including in the 1999 Rose Bowl, is quite an accomplishment.
Bollinger heard the same jeers, and he set the school record with 30 victories. He, too, was seemingly a bum that hindered the offense and kept Wisconsin from being a serious national title contender. His backup, Jim Sorgi, was the most popular man on campus for awhile, but once he got the full-time job in 2003, he got similar treatment. Admittedly, he was a better passer from the mechanical standpoint, but lacked the leadership exhibited by Bollinger.
The simple fact is, Wisconsin under Alvarez didn't need a blue chip, top-three quarterback to win in the Big Ten. Alvarez played the old-school running game in which the quarterback just threw to give his backs a breather.
Funny how things work out. Both of those guys ended up in the National Football League, and a handful of scouts see Stocco getting serious looks, as well.
During the Dayne era, Alvarez practically walked to midfield and handed opposing coaches the playbook, saying "I dare you to stop me." Stocco, like his predecessors didn't need to put up first-round draft pick numbers to win games. He just did what he was good at.
Stocco-led teams have been ranked as high as fourth in the nation. He’s proved his critics wrong time and time again, and will probably leave UW after this season is over never having gotten due credit. And that’s a shame. The team follows him and respects him as their quarterback and leader. That kind of trust is what makes a good team successful.
No doubt, Bret Bielema would do well to upgrade the position in years to come if he wants to take Bucky to the next level. But until then, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to rip on a guy who has done little other than win since lining up under center.
