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What Paul Chryst said following Wisconsin’s Week 1 victory over Illinois
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Wisconsin’s 2020 season is off to a strong start.
The 14th-ranked Badgers cruised to a 45-7 victory over Illinois in the B1G opener on Friday night, avenging last season’s 24-23 upset loss to the Illini in Champaign. Two touchdowns in the final 3 minutes of the first half broke the game open from a 14-7 advantage for Wisconsin to a 28-7 lead going into the locker room.
Graham Mertz was sensational, completing 20-of-21 pass attempts for 248 yards and 5 touchdowns, setting 3 school records in the process. That all happening in his first career game as a starting QB for the Badgers.
Wisconsin’s defense was strong on Friday night, as well. It limited the Illinois offense to just 215 yards and didn’t surrender a point in the game. Illinois’ only touchdown was a scoop-and-score in the 2nd quarter.
Head coach Paul Chryst was pleased with his team’s performance from Friday night. Here’s what he had to say following the blowout victory:
Chryst compliments Graham Mertz's poise: You never know quite how someone is going to react in their first start, but I thought he was himself.
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) October 24, 2020
#Badgers head coach Paul Chryst: Defensively we had a good plan. We cut guys loose.
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) October 24, 2020
#Badgers head coach Paul Chryst: It was fun to play. I thought the team did a great job of getting ready. I love their energy throughout the game.
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) October 24, 2020
Chryst on Mertz: "I thought that he had good poise and that he saw the field well. You never know quite how someone is gonna react in his first start but I thought he was himself." #Badgers
— Asher Low (@alow_33) October 24, 2020
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB