
He had just seemed to finally get comfortable when quarterback Graham Mertz was knocked out of the Michigan game.
Mertz, tight ends Jake Ferguson and Jack Eschenbach, cornerback Semar Melvin, fullback Quan Easterling and safety Tyler Mais are all listed as “questionable” for the Illinois game.
Mertz was taken to the hospital after he was sacked in the third period, but he was released after receiving treatment for a hard blow to the chest.
He spoke to the media during Monday’s news conference and the coaches seem to be optimistic he will be ready to go Saturday.
Meanwhile, head football coach Paul Chryst is getting a raise.
The Wisconsin State Journal reports the Board of Regents approved the pay raise prior to the season.
Chryst had taken a 15 percent pay cut last year to help the school offset revenue losses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He will make a little over $5.2 million starting with the 2022 season.
Although his team has struggled during a 1-3 start, Chryst has compiled an outstanding 57-22 record in seven seasons as head coach at Wisconsin.