Photos: Badgers cruise past Illini behind outstanding play from quarterback Graham Mertz
From the Relive Badgers' opening-night victory with State Journal's in-depth coverage of UW's rout of Illinois series
Wisconsin State Journal photographer Steve Apps captured all the action inside an empty Camp Randall Stadium Friday night as redshirt freshman quarterback Graham Mertz helped lead the No. 14 Wisconsin Badgers to a 45-7 victory over the Illinois Fighting Illini in their season opener.Â
UW 45, Illinois 7
Cardboard cutouts in an empty Camp Randall Stadium. The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Wisconsin running a play in the 2nd quarter. The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
During a break in action in the 1st quarter. The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Wisconsin runs out into an empty Camp Randall Stadium. The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Wisconsin runs out into an empty Camp Randall Stadium. The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Wisconsin Badgers running back Nakia Watson (14) is tackled by Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Khalan Tolson (45) in the 1st quarter. The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Wisconsin Badgers fullback Mason Stokke (34) hauls in a touchdown pass while defended by Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Nate Hobbs in the 1st quarter. The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Wisconsin Badgers fullback Mason Stokke (34) hauls in a touchdown pass while defended by Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Nate Hobbs in the 1st quarter. The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Wisconsin Badgers fullback Mason Stokke (34) celebrates his 1st quarter touchdown with Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Jack Dunn (16). The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Wisconsin Badgers fullback Mason Stokke (34) and Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz (5) celebrates Stokke's 1st quarter touchdown. The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Wisconsin Badgers running back Nakia Watson (14) is tackled by Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Sydney Brown (30) in the 2nd quarter. The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Wisconsin Badgers tight end Jake Ferguson (84) is uncovered on a touchdown catch in the 2nd quarter. The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz (5) looking for a receiver in the 2nd quarter. The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Wisconsin Badgers tight end Jake Ferguson (84) celebrates his 2nd quarter touchdown. The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst celebrates with Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman Logan Bruss (60) after a 2nd quarter touchdown. The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Brandon Peters (18) scrambles during the 2nd quarter. The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Brandon Peters (18) breaks a tackle of Wisconsin Badgers defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk (97) in the 2nd quarter. The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Wisconsin Badgers running back Garrett Groshek (37) is tackled by Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Delano Ware (15) in the 4th quarter. The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Wisconsin Badgers fullback John Chenal (44) scores a 4th quarter touchdown. The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Wisconsin Badgers fullback John Chenal (44) celebrates his 4th quarter touchdown. The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Wisconsin Badgers running back Isaac Guerendo (20) is tackled by llinois Fighting Illini defensive back Tony Adams (6) in the 4th quarter. The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Wisconsin Badgers running back Garrett Groshek (37) rushes in the 4th quarter. The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Wisconsin Badgers running back Garrett Groshek (37) is tackled by Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Sydney Brown (30) in the 4th quarter. The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz (5) throwing to Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Kendric Pryor (3) in the 3rd quarter. The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Brandon Peters (18) is pressured by Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Jack Sanborn (57) in the 3rd quarter. The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Wisconsin Badgers tight end Jake Ferguson (84) celebrates his 4th quarter touchdown catch with Wisconsin Badgers fullback Mason Stokke (34). The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Wisconsin Badgers tight end Jake Ferguson (84) celebrates is 4th quarter touchdown catch with Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman Josh Seltzner (70). The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
UW 45, Illinois 7
Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz (5) after throwing a 4th quarter touchdown pass to Wisconsin Badgers tight end Jake Ferguson (84). The Wisconsin Badgers hosted Illinois in Big Ten football Friday, Oct., 23, 2020 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
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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Updated
Making his mark: Badgers QB Graham Mertz turns in dominant first start as Wisconsin routs Illinois
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Updated
Stunning start: NFL stars, fans go crazy on Twitter over QB Graham Mertz's play in Badgers' victory
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Updated
Tom Oates: Wisconsin Badgers QB Graham Mertz lives up to massive hype in starting debut
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From redshirt freshman Graham Mertz's coming out party to the UW defense's dominant start, relive all the action from the 14th-ranked Wisconsi…
Years from now, hundreds of thousands of UW football fans will say they were there for the debut of quarterback Graham Mertz. They'll all be lying.
