John Stocco

  (12:59 PM)

I'm here and ready to answer your questions!

Nic: (Appleton, WI)

With all the success of the defense, does it take the pressure off to score on every drive knowing that if you don't the defense will still shut down your opponent?

John Stocco

  (1:00 PM)

You try not to look at it like that. We want to put points on the board but it's nice to have a defense doing so well. I just want to protect the ball and move the chains. We've been doing a good job of that we just haven't put a lot of points on the board.

Matt, Detroit

John, Congrats on the great consistent play all season...living in Michigan you have given a badger something to smile about...do you feel with teams ganging up to stop the run you should pass more on first down...

John Stocco

  (1:01 PM)

I don't know about passing more on first down. We need to be more successful on first down though. Our goal is 4 yards on first down and we haven't done a great job with that lately. We need to improve on that. But in terms of running vs. passing, we just need to get 4 yards on first down.

Joanna (Madison, WI)

Since your success this season have you started to become recognized more often around campus? And if so how has this affected you academically as well as personally?

John Stocco

  (1:02 PM)

Yeah, I've been recognized more. Sometimes people say HI and I have no idea who they are. I just have to get used to that! But it doesn't affect anything.

Derek (Cuba City, WI)

What is it like to practice against the #1 defense in the nation every day?

John Stocco

  (1:03 PM)

Well, Fall camp was really difficult. The offense struggled. I'm a young QB and they are used to senior QBs, so it was a tough time but we got through it. It's great to practice against them, it just makes us better.

Greg (Madison, WI)

John, Without taking the typical B. Alvarez approach and saying "We're taking one game at a time and the rest will take care of itself"... What do you think about having two teams with one loss ranked ahead of you in the ESPN/USA today poll? Good luck this weekend... Go Bucky!

John Stocco

  (1:03 PM)

I"m going to take the Alvarez approach! I just want to beat Northwestern! That's all I can think about!

Matt (Badger alum, st Louis, MO)

John, given wisconsin's strong tradition of rushing-oriented office, why has the passing game improved so much this year over recent years? Has the offensive strategy changed, or is the execution simply better?

John Stocco

  (1:04 PM)

I think it's changed a little bit. A few years ago we didn't have much spread stuff. But we have just worked more and more and done a lot of 7 on 7s to help with our timing. We just keep getting better and better.

Jimmy Kang (Madison, Wisconsin)

Will the Badgers be effected this saturday vs. Northwestern due to a plague of injuries including James?

John Stocco

  (1:05 PM)

Other guys just have to step up. In the past we have had guys go down but somebody always steps up. It won't be any different now.

Jake madison

Now since you have 7 games as a starter are you comfortable with the whole offense, or do you still have trouble with certain parts and how do you think you will improve in these areas?

John Stocco

  (1:07 PM)

I feel comfortable but at the same time I need to improve on some things. I've missed some open receivers. But I think I've done a good job with decision making. I need to clean up my footwork a little. But I know I'm not as good as I can be and that is the exciting part.

John Corwin (Milwaukee, WI)

Whats up Stocco? I want to first thank you for beating Purdue. You guys made my week... Did you see the cheap shot that Purdue player took on Erasmus James? I saw the replay many times and he went right after his knees. Whats your take on it? Are you mad, is the team mad, is Erasmus mad? I sure am.

John Stocco

  (1:08 PM)

I didn't see it. I don't know what to say. I don't know how it happend. That is football and injuries are a part of the game. You just have to deal with it.

Devin (Milwaukee)

What's your favorite pass to throw?

John Stocco

  (1:09 PM)

We've got a few deep routes, whether it seams down the field or other deep routes .. also on those routes with someone dragging underneath.. those are fun because you can stretch the defense.

dave (boston)

who do you want to win the world series?

John Stocco

  (1:10 PM)

I want the Red Sox to win. It's unbelievable what they just did. I'm still in awe and I want them to go all the way now.

John Stocco

  (1:10 PM)

Still a Twins fan though!

Ken, Northampton, MA

John- Great season so far - your development is noticable from Game 1. My question - how much did Jim Sorgi help with your development last year? Keep on doing what you're doing, don't be afraid to throw it away, and ON WISCONSIN!!!

John Stocco

  (1:11 PM)

Thanks. Sorgi helped me a lot last year. He was always more than willing to answer my questions. I've talked to him this year as well. He has really helped keep my head up.

Jeff: (Madtown, WI)

Which team has been your toughest competition so far this season?

John Stocco

  (1:11 PM)

I'd say Purdue. They had a very good defense and we had to work for everything. They played the run really tough. They are just a very good team.

Nate (Verona)

Do you ever regret not going to the Twins organization since they are doing so well the past three years or so?

John Stocco

  (1:12 PM)

No I don't. I always liked football and wanted to get an education too. If you get drafted in the 45th round, it's not much of a decision. Had I been drafted higher, it might have been a tougher decision. But I'm happy with my decision.

Clint (Davenport, Iowa)

So be real, your scurd of Hodge and Greenway arent you? GO HAWKS!!

John Stocco

  (1:13 PM)

I'm not even thinking about them right now!

Jon (Columbus, OH)

Do you wish you had Michigan on your schedule this year so you could play for an outright big ten title?

John Stocco

  (1:14 PM)

It' always fun to play Michigan and Ohio St. because they are always top teams. But we have to worry about what is on our schedule. Like I said before, it's all about N'Western.

Luke Anderson Eau Claire, WI

John, great job this season. My question is, Do you feel you gained alot of confidence after driving the team down the field in the 4th quarter in the Purdue? And do you think that kind of play will continue from you?

John Stocco

  (1:15 PM)

I do. I've always had confidence but it's nice to see the results on the field. But I still have to get better and be more consistent throughout the whole game. But I definately have confidence in myself.

Nate (Verona)

So what do you think on UWs young linebackers and how they developed in the past 7 games?

John Stocco

  (1:17 PM)

I think they have done a great job. Towards the end of the season last year people thought they were a question mark but they have done so much for this team and will just continue to improve. I have to run but thanks for the questions! Take care!

Buzzmaster

  (1:18 PM)

Thanks for stopping by, John! Good luck with Northwestern!

Buzzmaster

  (1:20 PM)

OK, we are going to stay on the college tip for a bit .. there may be no NHL, but college hockey is still rockin' .. so we asked Harvard head coach Ted Donato to stop by .. he'll be here in about 10 minutes! Stay tuned!