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Wisconsin QB Tanner McEvoy practices with first-team defense

Nov 22, 2014; Iowa City, IA, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Tanner McEvoy (5) runs for a touchdown against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. (Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports)
Nov 22, 2014; Iowa City, IA, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Tanner McEvoy (5) runs for a touchdown against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. (Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports)

To boost a defense that allowed 59 points in the Big Ten Championship, Wisconsin will look toward a player who played primarily on offense this season.

According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, quarterback Tanner McEvoy was working with the first-team defense at linebacker and safety during practice on Thursday. McEvoy, who saw action in 11 games as a running quarterback this season, said he’d play both offense and defense when the Badgers take on Auburn in the Outback Bowl.

“I’ll be going both ways,” McEvoy said. “At the end of practice I had my normal QB package.”

After transferring to Wisconsin last season, McEvoy played safety in 11 games for the Badgers and made three starts. At 6-foot-6 and 222 pounds, McEvoy showed great athleticism and made 27 tackles with one interception.

McEvoy said he returned to the defensive side on Tuesday in efforts to match up with the speed of Auburn’s high-powered offense, which put up 489.2 yards and 35.8 points per game this season. To accomodate the change, McEvoy will change his jersey number from No. 5 to No. 11 or 14 since he shares No. 5 with cornerback Darius Hillary.

“I just love playing,” McEvoy said, per the Wisconsin State Journal. “Wherever I can get on the field, that’s what I’m here to do and help this team win. So I’m excited to be able to get more reps out there and just help these guys get a bowl victory and send the seniors off the right way. As long as I get on the field and help the team win, that’s my goal.”

McEvoy was the Badgers’ starting quarterback to begin the season before Joel Stave overcame his “yips” and returned to the field after missing the beginning of the season.

McEvoy threw for 709 yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions this season while also running for 574 yards and six more touchdowns.

For more Wisconsin news, visit BadgerBlitz.com.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!