The Wisconsin Badgers blew out the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 42-10 on Saturday, putting together four consecutive scoring drives in the second half to pull away after an uninspiring first half.
Quarterback Danny O’Neil had a day to remember, throwing for 283 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, while completing 23/27 passes in a highly efficient day.
In the first half, it felt like he didn’t
have the full trust of offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes, as there were quite a few screens that eventually got figured out by Middle Tennessee’s defense.
But, as both settled in, the offense was on point, even with a middling rushing attack, as O’Neil connected on nine passes of 15 yards or longer on the afternoon, while showing off the swagger and confidence that many teammates rave about.
O’Neil’s day made its way into Wisconsin’s record books, as his 283 passing yards are the most of any Badgers quarterback in their first start with the team, eclipsing Scott Tolzien (257 yards in 2009), Russell Wilson (255 yards in 2011), and Graham Mertz (248 yards in 2020).
In addition, O’Neil’s three passing touchdowns in his debut were the most since Mertz’s 2020 start, and his 85 percent completion rate was the best for a Badgers quarterback in the past three years.
Quite a day for a quarterback who came into the year as the backup.
