Wisconsin backup quarterback Danny O’Neil continues to get the majority of the Badgers’ first-team practice reps as they prepare for their Week 6 contest vs. Michigan.
Starter Billy Edwards Jr. is still working his way back from a leg injury he suffered in Week 1 vs. Miami (Ohio). The veteran started the team’s Week 4 game vs. Maryland, though he left the contest after only one series. O’Neil completed 63.6% of his passes in relief, throwing for 120 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception. The backup later left the game with an injury of his own, though he appears healthy entering the Michigan matchup. Of note, O’Neil also told the media Tuesday that Edwards Jr. has been on the practice field this week.
O’Neil has completed 60 of 85 passes for 640 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions through four appearances. Both he and the team’s offense have struggled over the last few weeks. Most recently, the unit managed just three points against Maryland before third-string Hunter Simmons led a late-fourth-quarter scoring drive to narrow the final margin to 17 points.
It will face a tough test in a Michigan defense that enters Saturday allowing just 17.8 points per game. Notably, 27 of those points came against Nebraska in Week 4. O’Neil, who appears likely to start for the Badgers, will look to replicate Cornhuskers’ quarterback Dylan Raiola’s 308-yard, three-touchdown, one-interception stat line.
The Badgers and Wolverines will kick off at noon ET, 11 a.m. CT from Michigan Stadium. The game will be broadcast on Fox.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Updating Wisconsin’s quarterback situation entering its matchup vs. Michigan
Reporting by Ben Kenney, Badgers Wire / Badgers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
