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Madison - Wisconsin defensive end David Gilbert will not start UW's Big Ten Conference opener Saturday at Nebraska.

UW coach Bret Bielema made that announcement after practice on Thursday, one day after Gilbert made critical comments about the passing ability of Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez.



It appears Gilbert may not miss more than Nebraska's first offensive play, however.

“That’s just not what we are and who we are," Bielema said.

Tyler Dippel and Konrad Zagzebski will start at end for UW, which will be without ends Brendan Kelly (hamstring) and Pat Muldoon (thumb).

Meanwhile, senior tailback Montee Ball went through full-contact work at practice Thursday and is expected to play.



“He has been cleared 100% full-go,” Bielema said. “So unless something changes overnight he is cleared for the ball game.”



Gilbert, who leads UW's defensive linemen in solo tackles (seven) and total tackles (14), told several reporters Wednesday the key to beating Nebraska was to stop the Cornhuskers’ running game and make Martinez throw the ball.



Martinez, who threw three interceptions in the loss to UW last season and completed only 11 of 22 passes, worked in the offseason to improve his footwork and throwing motion.



He is completing 70.9% of his passes this season, with nine touchdowns and only one interception.



He told the Journal Sentinel:



“We have to stop the run,” he said. “He isn’t going to beat us throwing the ball.”



Gilbert told ESPNMadison.com:



“It still looks like he’s skipping rocks out there.”



The latter comment referred to Martinez’s tendency to drop down and throw sidearm.

“He’ll be skipping rocks on the sideline with me for the first play,” Bielema said of Gilbert.

According to Bielema, defensive line coach Charlie Partridge made the call and informed Gilbert.

Gilbert's comments came three days after Partridge raved about Martinez's improvement.

"His throwing motion is improved a lot from the last year," Partridge said. "His release is quicker. He is delivering a higher ball. He is a much better quarterback than a year ago."

Bielema said: "Charlie had a pretty strong statement to his room. I'm a head coach that (believes) you hold accountability first within the position groups. Charlie wanted that opportunity...

"The kid is going to learn. As a head coach I've got to remind my guys all the time that the things we say and the things we put in front of the media...you said it, now you've got to play it."