An explosive game on offense led by quarterback Graham Mertz and running backs Braelon Allen and Isaac Guerendo gave the Wisconsin Badgers a dominating 66-7 win over the New Mexico State Aggies on Saturday in Madison. The team posted 595 yards of total offense in the game, scoring every quarter.
Mertz Shows Prowess in the Pocket
Graham Mertz only threw 15 passes on Saturday.
That was all he needed to give his team the victory.
Mertz finished the afternoon with 12 completed passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns, only being sacked once. He posted a 273.23 passer rating (approximately 130 in NFL terms) and averaged 20.9 yards per completion. Two of his touchdowns found the hands of redshirt freshman receiver Skyler Bell, including a 49-yard touchdown five minutes into the third quarter. This touchdown is Bell’s first of his collegiate career.
First career touchdown for Skyler Bell.#Badgers pic.twitter.com/QeQlOjRwbT
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) September 17, 2022
Big Game Braelon
It wasn’t just the passing game that showed up to play Saturday.
Braelon Allen came, too.
No one was catching him. 😤@BraelonAllen x @BadgerFootball pic.twitter.com/U8WoTC431d
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 17, 2022
Allen broke loose within the first two minutes of the game, taking the ball for a 39-yard touchdown following a great kickoff return by running back Isaac Guerendo. The sophomore from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin finished the game with three touchdowns total to go along with 86 rushing yards. Allen has eight rushing touchdowns through three games this season, nearing his season total from last year (12).
But, it wasn’t just Braelon Allen controlling the ground game on Saturday. He brought his entire running back room with him.
Speaking of Isaac Guerendo, the Badgers’ backup running back posted two rushing touchdowns of his own. He found the end zone late in the third quarter on a three-yard carry, as well as the early fourth quarter with a 30-yard carry. Other backup running back Chez Mellusi took one to the house as well with a two-yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter. Junior running back Julius Davis got some action on the field, too, rushing for 45 yards on nine carries, including a 33-yard run.
What’s Next
Following Saturday’s game, the Badgers travel to Columbus, Ohio for their first conference matchup against the Ohio State Buckeyes. The game starts at 6:30 p.m. CST and will air on ABC.
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