EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The first pass attempt in Alex Hornibrook's first career start for Wisconsin unfolded like this: His team faced third-and-11 from its own 15-yard line. The Michigan State crowd roared, and the Spartans defense was ready to bring the heat. As Hornibrook took the snap and dropped into the pocket, All-America defensive lineman Malik McDowell came running free at him.
Hornibrook stepped up and delivered a strike to tight end Troy Fumagalli for the first down, right before McDowell leveled him.
"That was pretty fun," Hornibrook said of that play after the game.