The Badgers got back in the win column this week by taking care of the overmatched New Mexico State Aggies 66-7. Here were some key things to take away from the game.
Mertz continues to impress
Quarterback Graham Mertz has had an up-and-down two years at Wisconsin thus far, but year three his stock is trending upwards.
Mertz on Saturday, went 12/15 for 251 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. The only throws he missed was a pass along the boundary to wide receiver Chimere Dike and a pass to the goal line intended for WR Skylar Bell that was picked off by New Mexico State’s defensive back Syrus Dumas.
Badgers pound the run game
Wisconsin rushed for 260 yards on Saturday including 5.7 yards per carry.
Braelon Allen had 15 carries for 86 yards and three touchdowns including a 39-yard TD run in which he went untouched.
RB Chez Mellusi and Isaac Guerendo had stellar contributions on Saturday.
Mellusi had 10 carries for 71 and one touchdown. Guerendo had 12 carries for 74 yards and two touchdowns.
It’s great to see both of these guys make solid contributions to the Wisconsin backfield because they have had bad luck with injuries
Guerendo suffered a Lisfranc injury last year during warmups at Illinois knocking him out the rest of the season.
Mellusi started the season as the starting RB, but he suffered an ACL injury suffered against Rutgers last year and the emergence of Braelon Allen, relegated Mellusi to a backup role this season
Wisconsin defense
I’m running out of adjectives to describe how good the Wisconsin defense is every year.
Granted, New Mexico State came into Saturday’s game as the 128th ranked offense in the FBS football and Wisconsin’s defense made New Mexico State offense look anemic on Saturday.
On the opening drive, New Mexico State QB Diego Pavia completed a six yard pass to Justice Powers in the early stages of the first quarter. New Mexico State did not complete another pass until Pavia completed a pass to WR Lawrence Dixon with 2:58 left in the second quarter.
OTHER NOTE:
Wisconsin’s normal kicker Vito Calvaruso missed Saturday’s game with a leg injury. Redshirt senior Nate Van Zelst handled the kicking duties; Van Zelst made his lone field attempt a 27-yarder.
