Report: Wisconsin QB Billy Edwards Jr. Likely Out vs. No. 19 Alabama
As the Wisconsin Badgers get set to take on the No. 19 Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, there has been concern as to whether or not quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. will play. The senior transfer sprained his left knee in the season opener against Miami (OH), and has been week-to-week.
As we get closer to the highly-touted Big Ten-SEC matchup, it’s looking like Wisconsin’s starter will not play. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Edwards is “likely out” against Alabama, as many expected. However, there is a legitimate chance he starts next week, when Wisconsin takes on his former school, Maryland.
Head coach Luke Fickell talked about potentially missing his starting QB against one of the best teams in the country, saying they “will be prepared either way.”
“We’re going to have to protect Billy from himself,” Fickell said.
In Week 1 against the RedHawks, Edwards was 6-13 with 68 yards before going down with a non-contact injury in the second quarter. From there, San Diego State transfer Danny O’Neil took over and finished the game, as the Badgers would win 17-0. He would also start Week 2 against Middle Tennessee, impressing in a 42-10 win.
Against the Blue Raiders, O’Neil went 23-27 with 283 yards, three touchdowns and an interception as his team tallied 436 total yards of offense. O’Neil had the most passing yards by a Badger quarterback in their starting debut since 1951. His three touchdowns through the air were the most in a starting debut since Graham Mertz’s five in 2020.
After a rough first half against Middle Tennessee, O’Neil and the rest of Wisconsin found a rhythm and dominated the third and fourth quarters. The hope is that momentum carries over into Week 3, even with Edwards likely on the sidelines.
