Despite playing in just their second game yesterday, the Wisconsin Badgers took the Michigan Wolverines to school by plastering them 49-11. It got Wisconsin to 2-0 on the season and makes them a very dangerous team moving forward.

After the game, head coach Paul Chryst spoke to the media about a wide variety of topics, including quarterback Graham Mertz and the rushing attack.

When he was asked about Mertz coming back to play with all the COVID-19 concerns, he said (via Brad Crawford of 247Sports), “We knew certainly the way the protocol was going to fit that he’d have an opportunity. He wasn’t cleared to do anything really, a couple of days last week were limited. It was kind of just how each day of the week progressed. I thought he did some things today. He had good poise. For the amount of time he had, he did a good job coming back.”

The Badgers rushed for over 300 yards yesterday against the Wolverines and when asked about that, Chryst said, “You look at it, and I don’t know how many guys had rushing attempts, but certainly used and needed a lot of guys. I thought our offensive staff did a heck of a job putting together a package that fit what we do.”

He also praised the defensive effort, which was likely going to be a given after the Badgers only gave up 11 points. Chryst said, “The big goal-line stop was huge. I think that was Isaiah, that was a heck of a play. Any time you can keep them off the board and you know, they got the field goal on the first drive of the second half, but I thought guys were into it and guys were playing.”

Wisconsin’s next game will be next Saturday against #23 Northwestern at 3:30 p.m. ET.