This past Friday night, the Big Ten opened up their 2020 regular season with a matchup between Wisconsin and Illinois.
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Not surprisingly, the Badgers stomped the Illini 45-7 but what was a surprise was how well redshirt freshman quarterback Graham Mertz played. All Mertz did was complete 20 of 21 passes (95.2%) for 248 yards and five touchdowns.
Now, according to reports, Mertz has tested positive for COVID-19, and per Big Ten rules, he will have to sit out 21 days.
The Badgers’ next 3 games are against Nebraska, Purdue, and Michigan.
In addition, Mertz’s backup (technically their third-string QB because returning starter Jack Coan was injured before the season) Chase Wolf has also tested positive for COVID-19, which means the Badgers will have to roll with fourth-string quarterback Danny Vanden Boom, who has a total of 3 passing yards in his career.
Mertz and Wolf will be in our prayers and we hope they both have a speedy recovery.