Joel Stave injury: Wisconsin QB leaves game after hard hit.

Wisconsin quarterback Joel Stave left the game against Michigan State early in the third quarter after he was sacked hard by Michigan State defensive end William Gholston.

Stave was tended to on the field by the Wisconsin training staff before leaving the game clutching his left shoulder. Stave was taken to the locker room for further evaluation and was replaced in the lineup by backup quarterback Danny O'Brien.

Stave left the game after completing 9-of-11 passes for 127 yards and one touchdown with Badgers up 7-3 in the third quarter.

Stave replaced O'Brien as the starter on Sept. 22 versus UTEP. In five games since, Wisconsin is 4-1 while Stave has completed 61-of-107 passes for 977 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.

O'Brien started the first three games for Wisconsin, during which the team went 1-2. O'Brien is 47-of-75 passing for 470 yards with three touchdowns and one interception this season. O'Brien is 2-of-2 for 19 yards versus Michigan State so far on Saturday.

Stave returned to the Wisconsin sideline in the fourth quarter without his pads and he will not return to the game.