Mertz making strides during No. 19 Wisconsin's win streak

Updated Nov. 17, 2021 4:10 p.m. ET

Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s remarkable turnaround seems like a personally rewarding development for quarterback Graham Mertz, who absorbed plenty of criticism during the Badgers’ poor start.

Yet he resists the temptation to speak in those terms, even as Wisconsin’s passing attack finally is starting to deliver on its potential during this six-game winning streak. Mertz realizes there’s still plenty of work ahead as the

“It’s been fun to win,” Mertz said. “We’re going to keep doing whatever it takes to win. I wouldn’t say it’s rewarding yet. We’ve got a couple more games. We’ve got to finish strong.”

The Badgers (7-3, 5-2 Big Ten, No. 15

Wisconsin owes its streak largely to its

But the Badgers also are getting more production from a passing game that had delivered more turnovers than touchdowns for much of the season.

“It’s everyone kind of doing their part in it,” coach Paul Chryst said. “I think the protection has been good. Graham’s had time. I think that the routes have been where they need to be, and I think Graham’s been seeing it and trusting it and giving it a chance to give guys an opportunity down the field.”

The change has been most notable the last two weeks.

Mertz went 11 of 16 for 240 yards with three touchdown passes and an interception a

That represents quite a reversal of fortune.

putting him in the spotlight as soon as he signed with the Badgers. He raised expectations by

But he threw 11 interceptions with only three touchdown passes over a stretch of eight starts that began last season and carried over to the first three games of this year. This slide culminated with a four-interception performance in a

Mertz insists his confidence never wavered. His teammates vouch for him in that regard.

“I feel like Graham never gets shook or anything like that,” wide receiver Danny Davis said. “He stayed true to himself during those hard times.”

Wisconsin’s

Mertz returned the next week. The Badgers haven’t lost since.

“He figured it out and kind of brushed that stuff off and realized it doesn’t really matter what anyone else is saying,” tight end Jake Ferguson said. “He put on those horse blinders and kind of had that tunnel vision to where it was only what the team (thought that) mattered. He knew we had his back, and we knew what he was capable of.”

Mertz isn’t the biggest reason for Wisconsin’s turnaround. Wisconsin leads the nation in total defense and has

But the passing game has capitalized on the fact defenses have to focus their attention on slowing down Allen. Mertz completed his first nine pass attempts against Northwestern. Nine different Wisconsin players ended up catching passes from him.

Wisconsin receivers understand they must have plenty of patience because of the team’s run-first approach. Now Davis, Kendric Pryor, Chimere Dike and Ferguson are getting more opportunities to showcase their skills.

“We’ve got great receivers here,” Mertz said. “It’s my job to get them the ball. When they get the ball and make plays in space, it’s fun. I know what they’re capable of.”

___

Follow Steve Megargee at https://twitter.com/stevemegargee

___

More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25