Stunning start: NFL stars, fans go crazy on Twitter over QB Graham Mertz's play in Badgers' victory
From the Relive Badgers' opening-night victory with State Journal's in-depth coverage of UW's rout of Illinois series
Making his first start for the University of Wisconsin football team, redshirt freshman quarterback Graham Mertz had Twitter buzzing Friday night, tying a school record with 17 consecutive completions to open the game while also completing 20 of 21 passes overall for 248 yards and five touchdowns in the Badgers' 45-7 season-opening victory over the Illinois Fighting Illini at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
See what fans, talking heads and some of the NFL's top players — including former Badgers star J.J. Watt — were tweeting about the Kansas native's eye-opening play:
Lighting it up!
Mertz pic.twitter.com/XYMH2VgAhh
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) October 24, 2020
Take it from an expert
That man @GrahamMertz5 going crazy tonight!
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) October 24, 2020
No dodging his talent
OMG! Graham Mertz is really good! pic.twitter.com/BjndQztIVz
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) October 24, 2020
Wide awake now
Its 3:40 AM and i was going to go to sleep at hafltime but Badger football and Graham Mertz have reminded me thats not possible
— Brevin Pritzl (@BrevinPritzl) October 24, 2020
At least!
Graham Mertz is winning minimum three Heismans.
— Brandon Walker (@BWalkerSEC) October 24, 2020
Among the best
Graham Mertz is already the best QB Wisconsin has had since Russell Wilson.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) October 24, 2020
The highest honor
If Graham Mertz wins a Heisman or National Championship, we have to get a special edition Merkts cheese spread with his name on it.
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) October 24, 2020
Signs pointed to success
I was at the All-American Bowl all week in 2019. To me, Graham Mertz (a former #NotreDame target) was by far the most impressive QB there. Better than Spencer Rattler and Sam Howell. Cool to see him killing it tonight in his first career start.
— Carter Karels (@CarterKarels) October 24, 2020
Fan club growing
I have a crush .... on Graham Mertz ...
— Ally Melby (@AllyyMelbyy) October 24, 2020
That is all.
Bold prediction
Graham Mertz is the 1st overall pick in a few years. He’s a freak
— Stu (@StuYeWest1) October 24, 2020
Making his case
Damn graham mertz like y’all should have been playin me lol
— Jordan Taylor (@JMTaylor11) October 24, 2020
Close enough
Graham Mertz pic.twitter.com/kGe1LzygP5
— Dan Szpek (@szpek64) October 24, 2020
Bummer for Buckeyes
Can we all just give a collective sigh of relief that Graham Mertz will not be Justin Fields’ replacement
— Parker (@ParkerChurchil1) October 24, 2020
A little too quick
Graham Mertz probably never went 16-16 in high school for @BVNorthFootball because he had so much zip on his throw that he’d hit a few guys in the chest before they even knew they were in the game.
— Andrew Robinson (@robinsonandrew) October 24, 2020
Stunning resemblance?
Tyler Herro and Graham Mertz look eerily similar pic.twitter.com/TS67GRzKWe
— Greg (@kolbe20) October 24, 2020
Don't lose perspective
Ok, so Graham Mertz has been compared to Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield so far tonight. Let’s all take a breath and remember he’s playing Illinois.
— Adam Gorney (@adamgorney) October 24, 2020
Etched in the record books
Graham Mertz finished with 17 straight completions. That is tied for the most consecutive completions in a game in Wisconsin history. (Tanner McEvoy vs Western Illinois in 2014)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 24, 2020
His 17 straight completions are also the 3rd-longest streak in a conference game in Big Ten history. pic.twitter.com/ASXT7APXr0
Just the beginning
The hype is real. Graham Mertz has poise, accuracy, a pretty spiral, looks like a good leader in the huddle. With Mertz developing and the bumper recruiting crop coming in, we could be seeing the beginning of a special era of #Badgers football.
— Doug Russell (@DougRussell) October 24, 2020
It could happen
Is Graham Mertz the best quarterback to ever play football?
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 24, 2020
In this Series
Relive Badgers' opening-night victory with State Journal's in-depth coverage of UW's rout of Illinois
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Tom Oates grades the No. 14 Wisconsin Badgers' performance in their 45-7 victory over the Illinois Fighting Illini in their season opener Friday night at Camp Randall Stadium.
A quick look at the 14th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers' 45-7 victory over the Illinois Fighting Illini Friday night in the season opener at an empty Camp Randall Stadium.
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