CHARLOTTE, NC (AP) – 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,” joked Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst.
This seems appropriate.
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.
With the game tied at 21 at the end of the third quarter, Noah Burks intercepted Sam Hartman of Wake Forest on a pass at the apartment when the intended receiver failed to turn his head. Burks returned the ball 41 yards to create a 14-yard Mertz scoring stroke for Mason Stokke on a swirling route, giving the Badgers their first advantage.
Hartman, who had only made one interception throughout the season, was eliminated in the next three possessions as well.
Scott Nelson had a 60-yard interception return and Collin Wilder returned a 72-yard choice to create short TD runs that gave the Badgers a 42-21 lead, resulting in Hartman’s elimination. Jack Sanborn had 11 tackles and an interception and was named MVP of the game.
“It looked like one led to the other,” said Sanborn. ” After three choices, we said, ‘Collin, you have to get one’ – and then Collin went and got one. ”
Sanborn said the Badgers picked up some of Hartman’s trends.
“Throughout the game, similar concepts have emerged,” said Sanborn. “We kind of knew where he wanted to throw the ball. He was making pitches early in the game. But we found out where he wanted to go with the ball. ”
Hartman finished 20 of 37 and passed for 318 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions.
“Suddenly, the dam opened the floodgates and, wow, I never thought we would lose a game like this,” said Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson.
Clawson said he felt Hartman was wiring his passes.
“I think he held on to targets for a long time and Wisconsin broke his eyes and his arm actions,” said Clawson.
Wake Forest (4-5) beat Wisconsin 518-266 in the attack, but the Badgers had 176 yards of interception return.
Hartman launched three touchdown passes to Jacquarii Roberson to give the Demon Deacons a 21-14 lead early in the third quarter against the nation’s No. 1 defense.
The game was played in front of no fans other than family and friends due to the coronavirus pandemic.
THE ACHIEVEMENT
Wake Forest: Hartman seemed to implode after playing a very good first half. The sophomore redshirt must learn from his tough day against badgers.
Wisconsin: Mertz appears to have solidified his role as the team’s full-back in the future. He fought in the final stretch with five interceptions and a touchdown in the previous four games. But it has been difficult to fully evaluate his game, as he is missing out on his two biggest wideouts, Danny Davis and Kendric Pryor.
NEXT
Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons are scheduled to start their 2021 season with a home game on September 4 against Old Dominion.
Wisconsin: The Badgers will need to add some weapons to Mertz for the next season. They debut at home against Big Ten Penn State on September 4.
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