It could not happen again, and it did. For the third year in a row, the projected Wisconsin Badgers starting quarterback succumbed to injury. While Tanner Mordecai did play a good bit in 2023, Tyler Van Dyke was done after last year's Alabama game. Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell did not want to see his third season end as swiftly as his second did, so he opted to hit the transfer portal hard.
Coming over from Maryland was Billy Edwards Jr. He moved the needle to some degree in his lone year as the starter for the Terrapins. Never afraid to sling it, he seemed poised to lead Wisconsin to big things this year. However, a non-contact injury on a handoff right before halftime knocked him out of the game, possibly even longer. In came another transfer quarterback in relief...
Although former San Diego State Aztecs starter Danny O'Neil struggled to get some momentum going initially, he played much better in the second half vs. Miami (OH). He completed 12-of-19 passes for 120 yards, a touchdown, but also one of the worst interceptions you will ever see. O'Neil also carried the rock 11 times for 13 yards and an additional trip to pay dirt in Wisconsin's 17-0 victory.
For those who missed the play, here is what knocked Edwards out of the game in favor of O'Neil.
Here's what the Billy Edwards Jr. injury looked like: pic.twitter.com/5PvuTC4CjH
— Badger of Honor (@BadgerOfHonorFS) August 29, 2025
While Wisconsin's season debut was rather uninspiring, maybe O'Neil could give them a real chance?
Luke Fickell cannot afford to have yet another season get away from him
Although O'Neil has plenty of starting experience from last season, it all came at the Group of Five level for an Aztecs team that was not any good either. Prior to transferring to Wisconsin, O'Neil boasted a 3-8 record in 11 games at San Diego State. He completed 63.3 percent of his passes for 2,181 yards, 12 touchdowns and six picks to go along with 73 carries for 93 yards and a touchdown.
While the drop-off from Edwards to O'Neil could be sizable, Fickell cannot afford to have another bad season. For a head coach who was feeling the heat heading into Year 3, the Badgers not looking overly dominant in a non-conference game vs. a Group of Five opponent cannot have the big-pocketed boosters in Madison feeling all that great. A win is a win, but he will need at least five more.
Overall, Fickell may look smart for bringing in two proven starters in the transfer portal. This may be what it takes to help keep the season alive. However, apathy is starting to creep in surrounding the head coach. Week 1 was the lowest-attended home opener for Wisconsin in 30 years. Yes, it was played on a Thursday night ahead of Labor Day, but Fickell's product has yet to be awe-inspiring.
Hopefully, Edwards can return because otherwise, it will be Fickell entrusting O'Neil for the rest of 2025.