Wisconsin played much of the second half of Saturday’s loss to Michigan without quarterback Graham Mertz and tight end Jake Ferguson. The two key offensive players were injured early in the third quarter and did not return to the game.
That left Chase Wolf under center for a team that needed a late spark to close the gap against the Wolverines. It did not go well.
Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst gave an update on Mertz’s status on Monday, saying “all the tests, I’ve gotta be careful because I’m not a doctor, he’s good that way and was good today and obviously we’ll get him through the week and kinda see.”
Good sign No. 1 for Mertz’s availability was his ability to practice throughout the week. Sign No. 2 was him meeting with the media on Monday.
Now, we have yet another good sign that points towards both Graham Mertz and Jake Ferguson suiting up and playing against illinois.
Here’s Paul Chryst from his media availability yesterday:
“Yea, [Graham Mertz] has been able to practice and that part’s been good,” Chryst said. “Expecting to have everyone, [Jake Ferguson] has been able to practice. That part’s all been good.”
#Badgers head coach Paul Chryst gives an update on the status of QB Graham Mertz and TE Jake Ferguson: pic.twitter.com/QUtg0lqJvO
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) October 7, 2021
It’s great news for a Wisconsin offense that is set to face a defense that allows nearly 300 passing yards per game.
If we’ve learned one thing through the last two years it’s Wisconsin’s ability to beat inferior opponents. Ranked matchups? Those have gone in the loss column. But the Badgers haven’t had trouble defeating unranked opponents and sub-par defenses since the start of 2020.
Mertz and Ferguson playing is great news for that trend to continue.
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