Former Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz went down with a non-contact leg injury during the second half of Florida‘s overtime loss to No. 8 Tennessee on Saturday.
The injury came as Mertz threw a touchdown pass to put the Gators up 10-0 with 7:18 remaining in the third quarter. He left the game immediately, and later returned to the Florida sideline on crutches — signaling a possible significant injury.
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Mertz was 11 for 15 passing for 125 yards and a touchdown before exiting the game. He and the Gators were on the doorstep of a season-defining upset win.
Freshman quarterback D.J. Lagway entered in relief of Mertz and threw an electrifying touchdown to tie the game at 17 with 30 seconds left in regulation. A Tennessee rushing touchdown in overtime ended Florida’s upset bid, as the Volunteers hung on to win 23-17.
All eyes now turn to the Florida program for further news on the severity of Mertz’s injury. The veteran quarterback had strung together several strong showings following a rocky start to the season (six touchdowns, zero interceptions in his last three games). The injury halts that momentum, and could possibly sideline Mertz for the remainder of the season.
Stay tuned for updates on the injury as they become available.
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