EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) -- Wisconsin quarterback Matt Schabert will be stepping in for a banged-up Jim Sorgi for a third straight week. Only this time, it will be from the very start of Saturday's game against Northwestern.

Schabert will make his first career start for the No. 20 Badgers (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten) against the Wildcats after spelling an injured Sorgi late in the last two games.

Sorgi had knee surgery and is expected to be out until the Nov. 8 game at Minnesota. That leaves Schabert as the main guy, at least for now, and he expects to give a more polished performance.

"When you know you're going to be the starter right off the bat, you're a little more focused," he said. "I'll admit sometimes I'll be a little lazy watching the film during the week or not put so much time in, just knowing you might not have to go in at all."

The junior came off the bench and shined two weeks ago, throwing a late 79-yard touchdown pass to give the Badgers a win over Ohio State, snapping the Buckeyes' 19-game winning streak.

Things didn't go so well for the backup a week later.

Schabert, who came in after Sorgi injured his knee, led the Badgers to just one field goal in six possessions and was sacked on his first two pass attempts in a loss to Purdue.

"I think he knows his limitations," Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez said. "Those were very good defenses. I thought he showed composure and did some good things, so that should have prepared him well for this game."

Northwestern (3-4, 1-2) is coming off a 37-31 overtime win against Indiana, its first in three games. Jason Wright ran for 141 yards and four touchdowns as the Wildcats squandered another big lead in what has become a trademark during a frustrating season.

The Wildcats led Indiana 17-0 in the first quarter, then trailed 31-24 with under five minutes to play when Wright's 1-yard TD run sent the game into overtime.

A week earlier, the Wildcats took a 14-0 halftime lead against Minnesota after dominating the Gophers. Minnesota gained 8 yards on its first four possessions, had zero first downs as Northwestern piled up 154 yards on offense. The Wildcats lost 42-17.

And in a loss to Air Force, Northwestern blew a 21-7 lead when quarterback Brett Basanez threw three interceptions in the fourth quarter as the Falcons came back to win 22-21.

The wild swings are a concern for coach Randy Walker.

"We can come out of the blocks and play well like we did against Minnesota and Indiana, and then we have a hard time sustaining that frenzy," he said. "What we're looking for is a more consistent team and eliminating the self-inflicted wounds. If we can do that we can be a very, very solid football team."

Wright, third in the Big Ten in rushing, and the Wildcats offense have been good enough to keep the team in most games.

The Northwestern defense is another story.

The Wildcats are last in the conference in total defense, allowing 427 yards a game -- an improvement from last year when they were second worse defensive team in the country.

Wisconsin likely won't ask too much from Schabert, who should be familiar to football fans in suburban Chicago.

The last time Schabert started at quarterback he was a prep standout at Larkin High School in Elgin. Schabert finished his high school career fifth in Illinois history in passing yards with 6,550 and fourth in touchdown passes with 69.

"Actually knowing you're going to be the guy starting off the game is going to be a major boost to keep me focused all week and keep me prepared," he said.

"I'm ready for it. Saturday can't come soon enough."

Originally published Saturday, October 25, 2003