Luke Fickell: Billy Edwards Jr. Likely Out Week 2 vs. Middle Tennessee
Following a 17-0 Week 1 win against Miami (OH), the Wisconsin Badgers are looking to improve in Week 2 against Middle Tennessee State. In the season opener, the defense was lights out, playing tremendous football. Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said for the offense.
Before the Badgers could enter halftime up just 3-0, quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. went down with just under 10 minutes left in the quarter. It would eventually be reported as a left knee sprain, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel. San Diego State transfer Danny O’Neil would finish the game, going 12-19 with 120 passing yards, two total touchdowns and an interception.
Edwards, who played just over a quarter of the game, went just 6-13 for 68 yards. Fans held their breath as the injury appeared to be non-contact.
Luke Fickell Provides an Update on Billy Edwards Jr.
After he was originally reported to be week-to-week, head coach Luke Fickell provided an update on the starter during Tuesday’s press conference. It looks like O’Neil will get the start for Week 2.
“I don’t believe that Billy will be playing,” Fickell said. “He didn’t practice. So obviously, Danny would be the guy who we would go with. Hunter [Simmons] would be the backup, and we would just proceed from there.”
Edwards, the transfer from Maryland, threw for 2,881 yards and 15 touchdowns last season for the Terrapins. Entering the season, there was plenty of hype despite Wisconsin having one of the hardest schedules in the country.
The 22-year-old going down looks all too familiar for Badger fans. Last season, Tyler Van Dyke went down in Week 3 against Alabama. In 2023, Tanner Mordecai suffered a broken hand in a game against Iowa.
Middle Tennessee State will come to Camp Randall Stadium 0-1 after suffering a 34-14 loss in Week 1 to Austin Peay. Wisconsin will hopefully have an easier time on the offensive side than Week 1, but it’ll have to do so with the backup.
