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Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz wins Pro Football Focus award
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Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz caught the nation’s attention on Friday night vs. Illinois.
Mertz completed 20-of-21 passes for 248 yards and five touchdowns in the Badgers’ 45-7 win over Illinois.
For his efforts, he’s been named Offensive MVP of the week by Pro Football Focus:
College Football MVP's of the Week
Offense: Graham Mertz, Wisconsin QB
Defense: Zaven Collins, Tulsa LB pic.twitter.com/iMbbKAlV39— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 26, 2020
The redshirt freshman broke the school record for completion percentage in a game and matched two other benchmarks with 17 consecutive completions and five touchdown passes.
Mertz’s near-perfect debut could become a bitter-sweet moment for Wisconsin. He reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday and is awaiting a confirmation test.
If Mertz does in fact have coronavirus, he will be unable to play for 21 days per Big Ten policy. That means missing contests vs. Nebraska, Purdue and Michigan. With Jack Coan out injured, Chase Wolf would likely be the starter.
Wisconsin’s next game vs. Nebraska will kickoff at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.