MADISON -- Tuesday's practice at Camp Randall Stadium saw a mix of weather. While a stiff wind blew throughout the practice, players encountered plenty of sun and a brief rain shower in their preparation for the season. The defense showed its continued improvement throughout practice, while the offense displayed its air presence.

Notably, one quarterback was left out of the mix in Joel Stave. Stave had a MRI on his shoulder Monday and is being held out of for the rest of spring practice in hopes of being ready for the summer. Last week, Stave detailed the treatments he had been undergoing and how he was trying to only do what his shoulder would allow. The junior quarterback was declared the starter at the beginning of the spring by coach Gary Andersen, but was held out of practice until after spring break.

"I've never done this to my shoulder. It's just something that I am learning. Something that I am figuring out and it's something I've had to deal with. "I'll ice it and massage it and try to get some laser therapy. It's just a matter of trying to throw what I can throw in practice and being smart with it outside of football."

As Stave recuperates from the injury suffered in the Capital One Bowl, Tanner McEvoy has a golden opportunity to make the most of what will be the majority of first-team reps. Over the last two weeks, it has become clear that the quarterback race has narrowed from four possible starters to two: Stave and McEvoy. The latter will have the opportunity to run with the first-team offense and showcase his progress Saturday at the annual spring game benefitting the School of Education.

On defense, the Badgers displayed a 3-3-5 defense, which was previously unseen. The scheme featured Chikwe Obasih, Warren Herring and Konrad Zagzebski on the defensive line. The linebacking group consisted of Derek Landish, Joe Schobert and Marcus Trotter. The overloaded secondary showcased Sojourn Shelton, Darius Hillary and Devin Gaulden at cornerback and Mike Caputo and Peniel Jean at safety. The defensive set was used against scout-team quarterback Connor Senger.

Two weeks ago, Andersen said that he would start to implement game plans for the season-opener vs. LSU Aug. 30 in Houston. Senger ran mainly read-options, which could be in preparation for LSU's projected starter and dual-threat quarterback, Anthony Jennings.

Notes