While the initial score of 35-28 in favor of the White Squad in Saturday's spring football game might be reason for fans to be concerned with the upcoming season, the score does not tell the whole story. The game itself saw the Cardinal Squad, made up of Wisconsin's starters, score four touchdowns and miss three field goals. But the most frightening part of the game came in the first quarter.
Soon after the Cardinal put points on the board in the first minutes of the game, senior wide receiver Lee Evans caught a 36-yard pass from senior quarterback Brooks Bollinger, only his third of the day. He landed awkwardly on Camp Randall's turf, where he remained until he was carried off the field.
\This is a situation where he came down wrong on a jump ball and got his knee twisted up,"" Assistant Coach Henry Mason said.
Evans is believed to have injured a ligament and will probably need surgery, according to Head Coach Barry Alvarez.
""Unfortunately, Lee has some ligament damage,"" Alvarez said. ""He'll continue to test it, but it appears that he'll have surgery on it.""
Evans' injury came at an ironic moment, as it occurred on NFL Draft Day. Evans, who had considered entering the draft after the 2001 season, announced his decision in January to remain at Wisconsin and finish his senior season.
Mason said that, despite his injury, Evans and his teammates will not perceive the 2002 draft as a chance he should have taken and that he is not to be counted out come August.
""Whatever happens from this point on, I know he'll attack it, he'll go after it the same way he's done it these first three years and we'll get him back just as soon as we can,"" Mason said.
Without Evans, the Cardinal began to rely heavily on sophomore wide receiver Darrin Charles, who made some big plays, catching for 148 yards in the first half.
""It was nice, just showing everybody what I was capable of and ... I've been working hard in the offseason and I wanted to show that,"" Charles said.
Mason agreed.
""Darrin is a force and he's coming on them,"" Mason said. ""He's got a chance to be a good player for us.""
Alvarez said that Charles' performance reiterated the importance of stepping up. If Evans returns in the fall, Charles will be crucial in keeping Evans from getting double-teamed.
""Other guys have to step up, so I think we got that point across to Darrin and I think he recognizes that,"" Alvarez said.
