Wisconsin’s Graham Mertz delivers near-perfect debut in season-opening win

Quarterback Graham Mertz was nearly flawless in his first college start while leading Wisconsin to their first victory of the 2020 season.

Wisconsin football couldn’t have had a better debut from their redshirt freshman quarterback.

Well, maybe that’s not entirely true. Graham Mertz could have finished with a 100 percent completion rating instead of settling for 20-of-21.

It was that kind of night for the quarterback and the Badgers, who blew through Illinois 45-7 to open the 2020 season in the Big Ten.

Graham Mertz’s first career start was an outstanding display

Mertz really was the story of the night. Wisconsin didn’t ask him to do too much and he delivered exactly what he was supposed to and more. He completed his first 17 passes, which is a Wisconsin record, according to Asher Low of Badgers Wire.

It’s likely to be a long while before any Badger quarterback manages to match that start to a career.

The efficiency of his play is only the start of discussing his performance too.

Mertz threw for five touchdowns by making use of all his available weapons. His first career touchdown came on a swing pass to fullback Mason Stokke. He followed that up with an impressive five-yard score to leaping tight end Jake Ferguson, who also caught a 14-yard touchdown near the end of the second quarter.

When Illinois was forced to punt, giving the ball back to Wisconsin with 28 seconds remaining in the half, Mertz proved he could hit the long ball as well. Receiver Danny Davis got free over the top and the quarterback found him for a 53-yard bomb.

Ferguson completed his hat trick with Mertz’s final touchdown of the night from three yards out.

If there’s a concern for Wisconsin, it’s to do with their rushing attack. Accustomed to imposing their will on opposing defenses, it was strange to see the Badgers manage just 3.37 yards per carry.

Then again, with a quarterback like Mertz, the run game doesn’t have to be the focal point anymore.

Illinois can tell Wisconsin all about the woes of having an unsettled quarterback position. Brandon Peters completed 8-of-19 attempts for 87 yards while coming in and failed to complete any of his three passes unless you count the interception he threw to safety Titus Toler.