Many Wisconsin Badgers fans were happy to see quarterback Graham Mertz enter the transfer portal in the offseason. The former Badgers quarterback never quite reached his potential in Madison and the offense often struggled with him under center. With the additions of Luke Fickell and Phil Longo plus new quarterback Tanner Mordecai , fans were ready for a high-powered offense. Oh, how the tables have turned. Many Wisconsin Badgers fans had a lot to say about Mertz’s performance against South Carolina amidst their own offensive struggles.
Wisconsin Badgers Fans Reach To Graham Mertz Performance
Mertz went 30/48 for a whopping 423 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also did not turn the ball over. He led a comeback drive late in the game throwing a touchdown pass to Ricky Pearsall with 47 seconds left. This was a stat line that Wisconsin fans would dream about and many fans were upset that Mertz is having this kind of success while their team struggles.
It isn’t just that Mertz is succeeding. It is that the Badgers offense has struggled to get off the ground. Going into the season, fans were hoping to leave the offensive woes in the dust but it seems they are here for the time being.
Give It Time
I know this is not what Wisconsin fans want to hear but we have to give it time. Fickell is in his first year and it often takes time for a new coach to instill the new system. It was the right move to bring in this coach and we cannot judge it in the first year. If the struggles continue in the next three to four years, that is the time to be concerned. It stinks that Mertz is lighting up SEC defenses but ultimately, I’m happy to see him succeed. It clearly wasn’t his fault that the offense wasn’t working and it is great that he has found a place where he can succeed.
Wisconsin Badgers fans will probably have more weeks when Graham Mertz puts up big stat lines. Florida looks like they have unlocked the offense. Hopefully, the Badgers will be able to do the same in the back half of the season.
More must-reads: