Mertz, No. 14 Wisconsin rout Illinois

MADISON, Wis. – Graham Mertz threw five touchdown passes to match the Wisconsin record in a commanding first career start and the No. 14 Badgers beat Illinois 45-7 on Friday night to open the pandemic-delayed Big Ten football season.

Mertz set a school record for completion percentage on 20-of-21 passing, finishing with 248 yards. The lone incompletion was a pass that running back Garret Groshek dropped midway through the third quarter.

The redshirt freshman quarterback delivered a buzzworthy performance during the Big Ten’s long-awaited opening night. The Big Ten announced Aug. 11 that it would postpone all fall sports until the spring due to the coronavirus pandemic, then reversed itself Sept. 16 by saying it would begin the season in mid-October.

While most other conferences began playing last month in front of partially filled stadiums, Wisconsin had cutouts in the stands and piped-in crowd noise Friday as it began its ninegame schedule.

That meant there were no fans jumping around when Wisconsin continued its tradition of playing House of Pain’s “Jump Around” before the fourth quarter, and there were no spectators cheering as Mertz delivered his star-making performance.

But his prime-time outburst still earned raves on social media from a wide range of players including Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and former Wisconsin star J.J. Watt.

Mertz became the firstteam quarterback after returning starter Jack Coan underwent foot surgery on Oct. 7, leaving him out indefinitely.

The only previous Wisconsin quarterbacks to throw five touchdown passes in a game are Darrell Bevell against Nevada in 1993 and Jim Sorgi against Michigan State in 2003.

THE TAKEAWAY

Illinois: The Illini need more from their passing attack. Quarterback Brandon Peters had seven carries for 75 yards but was 8 of 19 through the air for only 87 yards.

Wisconsin: The Badgers just might have an uncharacteristically potent passing attack. They may need to throw the ball a little more often as their rushing attack adjusts to life without Indianapolis Colts rookie Jonathan Taylor.

UP NEXT

Illinois: Hosts Purdue on Oct. 31.

Wisconsin: At Nebraska on Oct. 31.