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Wisconsin loses Graham Mertz for 21 days due to COVID, Badgers turn to Vanden Boom

By Braulio Perez

MADISON, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 07: Graham Mertz #5 of the Wisconsin Badgers looks on in the fourth quarter against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Camp Randall Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 07: Graham Mertz #5 of the Wisconsin Badgers looks on in the fourth quarter against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Camp Randall Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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Wisconsin will be without Graham Mertz for 21 days after his second positive test for COVID-19 as the Badgers now turn to their fourth-string quarterback.

Things have officially gone from bad to worse for the No. 9 Wisconsin Badgers. Two days after his breakout start vs. Illinois, it was announced that starting quarterback Graham Mertz had tested positive for the coronavirus.

Now after a second positive test, he will be out for 21 days due to the Big Ten’s COVID protocol. The news of the second positive comes from CBS’ Dennis Dodd.

Now, even more, troubling news has arrived, with the Journal-Sentinel reporting the backup to Mertz, Chase Wolf, has also tested positive for the coronavirus. With both Mertz and Wolf now sidelined,the Badgers will need to start No. 4 quarterback Danny Vanden Boom against the Cornhuskers. Wisconsin was already without starter Jack Coan who is out indefinitely after undergoing foot surgery, which led to Mertz starting the season-opener vs. Illinois.

Danny Vanden Boom will start with Mertz and Wolf out

Mertz led the Badgers to a 45-7 victory after throwing only one incompletion as part of his 248 yards and five touchdowns. Just when it looked like Wisconsin football had a superstar quarterback for the first time since Russell Wilson in 2011, now they’ll be without him for games against Nebraska, Purdue and Michigan.

“They’re all good,” Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst said of the team’s quarterbacks, via the Journal-Sentinel. “We brought them here for a reason. We like them all. Whoever is underneath center, the No. 1 responsibility is to this team.”

Vanden Boom is a 6-foot-5, 207-pound junior who hasn’t appeared in a game for the Badgers since 2018. He has one completion for three yards and a touchdown in his three years with Wisconsin. Due to injury and both Mertz and Wolf not able to go because of COVID-19, Wisconson turns to their fourth-string option at quarterback as they look to stay afloat until Mertz can return vs. Northwestern on Nov. 21.

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