Wisconsin Football Down To 4th String QB After COVID Tests
A small outbreak of coronavirus has thrust an unlikely Badger player into the spotlight.
The Wisconsin Badgers lost their projected starting quarterback Jack Coan during the preseason when he injured his foot and had to undergo surgery. Graham Mertz answered the bell in impressive fashion when the second-string quarterback authored an impressive season-opening win over the University of Illinois. Mertz set a school record for single-game completion percentage (95.2) and TD passes (5).
Mertz will have to wait at least a month after the school announced that he tested positive for the coronavirus and due to Big Ten rules, he must sit out for at least 21 days before returning to the team.
To make matters worse for the Badgers, third-string QB Chase Wolf has also tested positive for coronavirus. If that test is confirmed, Saturday's starting QB against Nebraska would be fourth-stringer and redshirt junior Danny Vanden Boom (excellent name.) Vanden Boom attempted 3 passes in his lone appearance last season, completing one for 3 yards.
There is also a concern that if the positive cases grow anymore this week, that the game will have to be canceled. Confirmation of other positive tests should be out later this week.