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Luke Fickell provides initial update on Tanner Mordecai injury
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Luke Fickell’s Wisconsin squad suffered a heartbreaking and lifeless defeat against Iowa Saturday night.
With the B1G West lead up for grabs in Madison, the Badgers were held out of the end zone during the 15-6 loss. Wisconsin also missed out on the Heartland Trophy in the process.
A bigger concern related to the future outlook of the team is the health of starting quarterback Tanner Mordecai. Though the offense was already struggling in the game, Mordecai was injured late in the first half and did not return.
Video replays showed Mordecai hitting the helmet of an Iowa defender with his passing hand on one play and later mouthing “I can’t throw” to the Wisconsin bench as he left the field. In his postgame press conference, Fickell did not have much of an update but noted thins don’t “look good” for a bit in regard to Mordecai.
“I don’t know,” said Fickell about Mordecai’s early outlook. “It doesn’t look good for a little while. he couldn’t grip the ball, so we’ll have to make sure what the deal is tomorrow and see how long that may last.”
Through the first 5 games of the season, Mordecai had completed 64.2% of his passes for just over 1,000 yards with 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. He also has 4 rushing touchdowns in Phil Longo’s Air Raid offense.
While Mordecai struggled against the tough Iowa defense, Braedyn Locke did not fare any better in relief. Locke went 15-for-30 throwing the ball for 122 yards and an interception as the Hawkeyes stifled the Badgers.
Whoever is able to go in Week 8 will have to make a start on the road as Wisconsin travels to face Illinois next Saturday.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.