Big Ten Roundup (Aug. 21): Two Key Wisconsin Players Injured, Northwestern QB Battle Update

Wisconsin football players Jake Renfro and Riley Nowakowski suffered foot injuries, coach Luke Fickell told media on Saturday. In other Big Ten West news, it appears that Cincinnati transfer quarterback Ben Bryant may have.beaten out Brendan Sullivan for the starting job at Northwestern.

The 2023 offseason has generally been a spectacular and exciting one for coach Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin Badgers. 

Practically every other Big Ten Roundup that gets published on this website features news of Fickell and Co. landing another high profile recruit, and everyone seems excited about what a potentially pass happy Wisconsin can be. 

Unfortunately, all that positivity took a hit on Saturday when Fickell told reporters that both center Jake Renfro and tight end Riley Nowakowski suffered significant foot injuries. 

In more speculative Big Ten news, it appears that Ben Bryant might have edged ahead of incumbent Brendan Sullivan for the starting quarterback job at Northwestern. 

Here's everything you need to know in today's Big Ten Roundup:

Renfro, Nowakowski Suffer Injuries

Few things are more ominous than foot injuries with tentative timetables for recovery, and that's exactly what Wisconsin is dealing with in regard to both Renfro and Nowakowski. 

Fickell said that Renfro sprained his foot and should miss around 3-4 weeks, which would have him sidelined for the Badgers season opener against Buffalo. Renfro had already suffered a stress fracture in his foot during spring practices, and an additional sprain months later is very concerning. 

Renfro followed Fickell to Cincinnati, transferring to Wisconsin this offseason after three years with the Bearcats. He's a high quality offensive lineman, having been named to the All-AAC first team in 2021, before he missed all of 2022 with an injury. Renfro was Wisconsin's projected starter at the center position. 

Nowakowski's injury and potential missed time isn't nearly as detrimental as Renfro's would be. He converted to tight end after coming to Madison as a linebacker, and entering his fourth season with the Badgers, most if not all of his playing time has come on special teams.

Still, Nowakowski was expected to play a role in the 2023 Wisconsin offense, as offensive coordinator Phil Longo named him the most consistent player at the position during spring practices. Fickell said that Nowakowski's injury will likely sideline him for 4-6 weeks. 

Is Ben Bryant QB1 in Evanston?

At last, there is Northwestern football news that isn't about the controversy and scandal surrounding the program. 

Inside NU's Bradley Locker posted that quarterback Brendan Sullivan was working with the second team during Northwestern's team scrimmage on Saturday. Given that coach David Braun said he would decide on a starter following the scrimmage, it seems that Cincinnati transfer Ben Bryant might have won the job. 

Based on clips posted in a Northwestern football video, it appears that QB Brendan Sullivan was working with the second team in today's scrimmage.

Receivers: Jacob Gill, Donnie Gray and Frank Covey.

OL is Braeden Edwards-Nick Herzog-Jackson Carsello-Jordan Knox-Josh Thompson. pic.twitter.com/2sLUtEHWnm

— Bradley Locker (@Bradley_Locker) August 20, 2023

This is all highly speculative. There's still a solid chance that Sullivan is in the running for the starting quarterback job, and could win it before Northwestern's season opener against Rutgers on Sept. 3.

But given that Bryant came to Evanston this offseason with 6,405 passing yards, 37 touchdowns and five years of experienced at the FBS level, it's highly likely that he'll be taking the snaps for the Wildcats on that Sunday in Piscataway. 

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