CHARLOTTE, NC – The Wisconsin Badgers captured Duke’s Mayo Bowl and the trophy that came with it.
And then they broke.
While dancing to celebrate his team’s 42-28 victory over Wake Forest on Wednesday, quarterback Graham Mertz dropped the Lenox crystal ball piece, shattering it on the floor of the locker room after falling from your base.
“We just wanted everyone to have a piece of that trophy, ‘” Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst joked.
Mertz was responsible for three touchdowns and Wisconsin turned four interceptions in the second half, all by different players, into 21 points to turn a close game into a near defeat for the Demon Deacons. Five players scored touchdowns for the Badgers.
Mertz, a freshman in a red shirt, shot for 130 yards and ran for two small TDs while Wisconsin (4-3) ended a tough 2020 season on a high.
“Yes, I dropped it, ” said Mertz sheepishly.” This is on me. It happened.”
Badgers may be willing to forgive you.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.