Jake Ferguson
Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz talks to reporters during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days, at Lucas Oil Stadium, Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Badgers' Mertz confident he can improve his consistency

By Steve Megargee Aug. 02, 2022 07:00 PM EDT

FILE - Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz is shown during the second half of the Las Vegas Bowl NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, in Las Vegas. Wisconsin’s fortunes the last two seasons generally have depended on how well quarterback Graham Mertz has protected the football. (AP Photo/L.E. Baskow, File)
Badgers QB Mertz remains upbeat after offseason speculation

By Steve Megargee Apr. 04, 2022 04:25 PM EDT

National Team quarterback Kenny Pickett, of Pittsburgh (8), hands the ball off to running back Rachaad White, of Arizona State (3), during the first half of an NCAA Senior Bowl college football game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Defense, QBs shine in National's 20-10 Senior Bowl win

By John Zenor Feb. 05, 2022 05:52 PM EST

Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen (0) runs against Wisconsin during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/L.E. Baskow)
Allen, Wisconsin hold off Arizona State in Las Vegas Bowl

By Danny Webster Dec. 31, 2021 02:12 AM EST

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) looks downfield during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Ohio State's Stroud is Big Ten offensive player of the year

Dec. 01, 2021 05:59 PM EST

Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan (2) throws the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Wisconsin at Minnesota 11/27/2021

Nov. 27, 2021 05:57 PM EST

Wisconsin wide receiver Stephan Bracey (10) returns a kickoff for a touchdown against Nebraska during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Nebraska at Wisconsin 11/20/2021

Nov. 20, 2021 05:39 PM EST

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) throws a pass against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Mertz making strides during No. 19 Wisconsin's win streak

By Steve Megargee Nov. 17, 2021 04:10 PM EST

Northwestern's Stephon Robinson Jr. catches a pass in front of Wisconsin's Caesar Williams during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Allen's big day helps No. 20 Wisconsin rip Northwestern 35-7

By Steve Megargee Nov. 13, 2021 03:20 PM EST

Wisconsin's Braelon Allen breasks into the end zone for a topuchdwon run during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Northwestern at Wisconsin 11/13/2021

Nov. 13, 2021 01:17 PM EST

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) and head coach Paul Chryst talk during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin upset Iowa 27-7. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Defense carries Wisconsin to 27-7 triumph over No. 9 Iowa

By Steve Megargee Oct. 30, 2021 03:32 PM EDT

Wisconsin's Graham Mertz runs during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Army Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Army at Wisconsin 10/16/2021

Oct. 16, 2021 09:13 PM EDT

Illinois defensive back Kerby Joseph (25) intercepts a pass intended for Wisconsin wide receiver Kendric Pryor (3) as Devon Witherspoon also defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Wisconsin uses running game to roll over Illinois 24-0

Terry Towery Oct. 09, 2021 07:15 PM EDT

Wisconsin's Chase Wolf throws a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Struggling Wisconsin looks to bounce back against Illinois

By Terry Towery Oct. 07, 2021 03:23 PM EDT

Penn State linebacker Brandon Smith (12) looks to tackle Indiana wide receiver Jacolby Hewitt (2) in the second quarter of their NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021.Penn State defeated Indiana 24-0. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
No. 4 Penn State at No. 3 Iowa highlights Big Ten schedule

By Eric Olson Oct. 07, 2021 03:10 AM EDT

Michigan's Daxton Hill hits Wisconsin's Graham Mertz during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Madison, Wis. Mertz was hurt on the play and left the game. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Wisconsin lists QB Mertz as questionable for Illinois game

By Steve Megargee Oct. 04, 2021 01:20 PM EDT

Wisconsin's Faion Hicks breaks up a pass intended for Michigan's Cornelius Johnson during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
No. 14 Michigan routs Wisconsin 38-17; Badgers QB Mertz hurt

By Steve Megargee Oct. 02, 2021 03:41 PM EDT

Wisconsin's Graham Mertz throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz leaves with chest injury

Oct. 02, 2021 02:36 PM EDT

Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst watchs his team warm up before an NCAA college football game against Michigan Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Michigan at Wisconsin 10/2/2021

Oct. 02, 2021 11:41 AM EDT

Eastern Michigan's Freddie McGee III breaks up a pass intended for Wisconsin's Danny Davis III during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Mellusi powers No. 18 Wisconsin past Eastern Michigan 37-7

By Tamira Madsen Sep. 11, 2021 10:33 PM EDT