Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz broke the game-ending percentage program record on Friday, receiving 20 passes and 21 touchdowns from 21 passes for 248 yards in the Beders’ 45-7 win over visiting Illinois in Madison.
“It was definitely fun,” Mertz said later. “I am the daughter of that coach [Jon] Budmeyer and coach [Paul] Christ, we took a ton of time, one meeting after another and really just sorted out the game plan and we knew what we were doing and I felt confident in my ability to implement and I think we needed some stuff there. Clear. Much more stuff we can clean up. “
In practice, Jack Conn suffered a non-contact injury to his leg and after undergoing surgery, Mertz, who was refreshed in a red shirt, was moved to the starting role. This was the first start of a career for Mertz, and his five touchdown passes set the record for most events in a game with Jim Sorgy in 2003 and Darrell Bevel in 1993.
Christ said, “I thought he had a good peace, he thought he saw the area well. You never know how someone would react to his first start.” “I felt it was him and you appreciate it. I felt he had a good plan through the offensive coach and he was able to execute it.”
Wisconsin could not get its usual dominant performance from his run game, Garrett Greshek was the leading runner for the Baders with 70 yards but no touchdown runs. But Mertze picked up that slack, starting the game by completing his first 17 passes.
One of his imperfections was a pass left by Groshek on the third-and-19 in the third quarter. Mertz said the failed pass was his fault, he needed to get the ball back to his run quickly and the two made fun of him after the game.
Tight end Jack Ferguson was his favorite target at night with 72 yards and seven receptions from five touchdowns. Ferguson was second with 407 in receiving yards last season, behind Quintage Cafes, who is now in the NFL.
Those three receiving touchdowns are also the most involved in Wisconsin’s tight end game, matching Owen Daniels in 2005 and Garrett Graham in 2009.
“Baby is easy, baby is definitely easy,” Ferguson said. “He was smiling cheek to cheek after that first touchdown. He knew, and everyone in that huddle knew we were rolling. It’s so wonderful to get him out.”
Ferguson said that at one point in the game Wisconsin played the same four plays with success against Illinois and Mertz showed some confidence on the sidelines, making jokes and keeping his teammates focused.
Mertz’s performance caught the attention of many, including Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahoms, who tweeted, “That man @Grehmertz5 is going crazy tonight!”
Despite it being a national focus and breakout game, Mertz is still not celebrating knowing it is not the only game and there is still a lot of football left.
“I haven’t checked my phone yet, but it’s great to hear from people and that means a ton,” Mertz said. “But I’m glad the guy in the locker room has been pumped right now and we’ll keep building on it.”
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