During Wisconsin's 38-17 win against Akron Saturday, an interesting thing happened. It wasn't a new multi-million dollar addition to Camp Randall Stadium, brand new black and white home uniforms or even an original cheer by the student section.
As soon as the starting lineups were called, and fifth-year senior Allan Evridge's name flashed across the scoreboard, he became the first left-handed quarterback to start at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 44 years. It has not been since the 1964 season, in which Harold Brandt played signal caller for the Cardinal and White, that Wisconsin has had a south-paw under center.
We are few and far between ... that's for sure,"" Evridge said.
Evridge made a small, but significant impact in Saturday's victory. He completed his first five passes and threw for 75 yards on the day. A second quarter interception was the only blemish on the day for Evridge, as he went 7-10 with a touchdown - the first of the season - to go along with the pick.
However, for Evridge, any impact is a good one. And when looking at his background and how he came to be a Badger, it is understandable why.
Evridge started his collegiate career at Kansas State. After redshirting his freshman season, Evridge took the reins of the Wildcats offense as a sophomore, starting six of the nine games he played in, and threw for a freshman school-record 1,365 yards and six touchdowns.
But after the 2005 season, Evridge decided to transfer to Wisconsin, and it is not that hard to see why. Most fans, upon hearing of Evridge's transfer, quickly looked up the newest player to join the Badgers, only to find a YouTube video of the quarterback being put on his back by a Texas Tech linebacker on a draw up the middle.
So after seeing that, things could only go up for Evridge.
After sitting out the 2006 season, Evridge came into camp ready to battle for the starting spot vacated by four-year starter John Stocco. While Tyler Donovan ended up with the job, it very well could have been Evridge's, if not for a hamstring injury during Training Camp.
Fast forward to 2008 and finally, after three seasons of waiting, it is Evridge's time to shine. For most fans, Evridge is something of a mystery. Fans haven't seen much of him, and the rumors swirling around campus of his arm strength and pocket presence have given fans much to anticipate.
To Evridge, however, it's more about winning than proving his worth or displaying his strengths to the fans.
""I'm something different than some of the guys are used to so, as far as the fans' perspective, that might be something new and intriguing for them,"" he said. ""But I really don't think about that, just trying to come out here and win ball games so hopefully it is something that they will like.""
As far as the offense goes, Evridge has that down pat. If there is one upside to waiting in the wings for this long, it is that he now has full command of the offense.
""A lot of times we have two choices or more at the line of scrimmage, and he was able to put us in the correct situation over 98 percent of the time, and that to me shows that he knew and was clued into the game,"" UW head coach Bret Bielema said during Monday's press conference.
But the offense itself has had to make some changes. With any new quarterback, the offense has to be molded to fit that quarterback's abilities, and Wisconsin is no different with Evridge.
""I think you tailor [the offense] to him, not because he is a lefty, but because it's him,"" offensive coordinator Paul Chryst said. ""I think you do certain things with each guy, but not because he is a lefty, but because of who he is.""
And there is the key to all of the success that the UW will have this season: use Evridge's strengths to their advantage. It seems simple, and a rather obvious revelation, but the fact is that with a left-handed quarterback, every play has to be examined and re-evaluated.
""The nice thing about being left-handed is I've grown my whole life doing so many things right-handed that I am pretty good going both ways,"" Evridge said. ""I think with some plays, it's definitely in Coach Chryst's mind as far as which way the play is run because it could be more advantageous for me to go left with some things. But for the most part I like to think that I can [run the offense] fairly well both ways.""
However, Evridge is making no claims of being ambidextrous when it comes to throwing the football.
""The ball's still coming out of the left arm when I'm going to the right, but I like to try and work on it enough so I can do it and make it manageable,"" he said.
Managing the game may be all that the Badgers need out of Evridge, but something says that he will leave his own mark here at Wisconsin, and probably by using his left hand.
