MADISON — After his record-setting debut as a college starter, the Wisconsin football fan base may need to wait three weeks until they can see Graham Mertz play again for the Badgers.
According to a report from the Wisconsin State Journal, the redshirt freshman quarterback has tested positive for COVID-19 and is waiting for the results of a second test to confirm his diagnosis. If the test is confirmed, Mertz would have to miss the next 21 days of practice and games before returning to the program, per the Big Ten Conference's protocols.
If Mertz is out for 21 days, he would miss games at Nebraska (Oct. 31), against Purdue (Nov. 7) and at Michigan (11/14). That Badgers are currently ranked No. 9 in the country after their 45-7 victory against Illinois on Friday night.
Mertz took the college football world by storm after his electric performance. He finished the game 20-of-21 for 248 yards and five touchdowns. He tied the school record for consecutive completions (17) and passing touchdowns in a single game (5). Mertz also set a program record for completion percentage (95.2%) with a minimum of 10 attempts.
As of Sunday night, UW officials have not responded to a request to confirm this report.
