MADISON, Wis. -- Bart Houston can admit now that when coaches informed him last month he was being replaced as Wisconsin's starting quarterback, he thought his days on the field were done for good.
Redshirt freshman Alex Hornibrook had taken the reins from Houston, a fifth-year senior, midway through the third game of the season against Georgia State. Each quarterback soon learned Hornibrook would be the starter the following week against Michigan State. And even though Badgers coach Paul Chryst continued to express the importance of having both quarterbacks ready, Houston remained dubious at the prospect of him actually playing.