Graham Mertz. Image courtesy: UW Badgers sports information.
MADISON, WI (WSAU) — Two days after he lit up the college football world with five touchdowns and just one incompletion in Wisconsin’s 45-7 win over Illinois, redshirt Freshman Graham Mertz may have tested positive for COVID-19.
The Wisconsin State Journal reports that the Mertz positive came via a daily rapid antigen test. He now awaits the results of a nasal swab test.
The University has not commented on the situation. It’s unclear when the results of Mertz’s second test will be known. Typically nasal swab tests take a day or more to complete.
Should that come back positive, Mertz would be considered a positive case by Big Ten rules and would have to sit out of all practices and games for three weeks. If the PCR (nasal swab) test comes back negative, Mertz would be considered a false-positive and would not have to isolate or be taken out of action.
If Mertz is positive he would miss the Badgers upcoming game against Nebraska as well as the next two contests versus Purdue and Michigan.
Mertz was the star of Wisconsin’s season-opening win on Friday. His five touchdown passes in the game set a school record. He also completed 17 passes in a row at one point, which is also a school record.
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