College football started early with Week 0, and football fans around the country celebrated the arrival. Most fan bases turned on the opening game, North Carolina versus TCU, and smiled, ready to see the kick-off to the FBS season. Badger fans turned that first game on and scowled to see Billy Edwards Jr. trot out with light blue on, ready to start as the Tar Heels quarterback.
For the casuals, it was a moment to go, "let's see if he stays healthy this time." For the diehard Badger fans, they were thinking about how Edwards Jr. quit on his team. Or at least that's been the rumor since about the middle of the season in 2025. Fans believe that he was healthy enough to play but wanted to preserve his medical redshirt and transfer after the season. Since that's exactly what happened, it's hard not to believe that narrative... at least a little.
So Wisconsin fans turned on the game and were ready to "hate watch." Even with a small look at Trech Kekauna, who also left Wisconsin to play at UNC.
Billy Edwards hate watch starts right now.
— Dr. Marte (CoJo SZN) (@Badgers_44) August 29, 2026
Billy Edwards Jr. showed what could have been at Wisconsin in first game for North Carolina
Related: Ranking all Week 0 games for Wisconsin fans: From hate watch to nothing else on
Honestly, what Edwards did in his first game for the Tar Heels was relatively underwhelming, yet he got the win, and that matters (as we Badger fans know). He had some really good moments but also some ugly moments. At the end of the day, though, he kept in control enough to give UNC the win.
He went 16/28 for 238 yards and zero touchdowns but also zero interceptions. He was sacked three times, tried to run a few times, and ended up with seven carries for -4 yards. Not some sort of barn-burning stats, and he's not going to enter the Heisman conversation, but a win does matter. Something Wisconsin wishes they had more of last season.
A healthy Billy Edwards would have made such a difference last yr. 😕
— Badger_Recruiting (@Wi_Recruiting) August 29, 2026
He had some really good moments against a staunch TCU defense. He had a 35 yard pass to Jelani Thurman that may go on some highlight reels. However, he also had a few near interceptions that TCU couldn't pull down and that kept drives alive. So, all-in-all, if we are being fair without fury in our hearts. Edwards would have helped this team but it also reveals how low the bar was.
Edwards agreed to this assessment of his game and told ESPN reporters after the game, "First game...I don't think I played my best football... We have a lot of stuff to clean up, but at least we can do it in the victory column."
As for Kekauna three receptions for 38 yards, he also had a brutal fumble that he lost and ended up getting less opportunities after that.
All in all, for former Badgers it was a mixed bag and for most Badger fans, there's a clear "good riddance" in their minds and hearts. It's hard to be jealous and wish those two were on the Badgers especially with out it ended.
Now Wisconsin fans can move on to watch football without so much frustration and anger towards former players.
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