With Wisconsin leading 3-0 in the second quarter against the Miami (OH) Redhawks, touted Maryland transfer and starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. left the game with a left knee injury, forcing the Badgers to turn to backup Danny O’Neil only minutes into a new season.
Despite stepping onto the Camp Randall field for the first time in a precarious position, O’Neil, a sophomore transfer who started last season at San Diego State, played with poise and confidence, doing enough to help guide Wisconsin to a 17-0 victory.
He completed 63% of his passes and threw for 120 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. His starting experience, paired with confidence and new-found chemistry with Wisconsin’s offense helped pave the Badgers a path to victory.
“Well, I think it’s authentic,” head coach Luke Fickell said when asked about O’Neil’s attitude on the field. “I love an athletic arrogance and in the complimentary world we want to be in, I think he straddles that line,”
Edwards Jr.’s injury continued Wisconsin’s frustrating trend of quarterback injuries in the Fickell era. Last season, starter Tyler Van Dyke tore his ACL in Week 3, missing the rest of the season, and in 2023, Tanner Mordecai missed three games. As a result, Wisconsin struggled with below-average quarterback play en route to back-to-back disappointing seasons.
But after a statement performance by O’Neil against Miami (OH), the 2025 Badgers seem to have more confidence in their backup quarterback.
“He’s got confidence. He steps into the huddle, and you feel his presence. He’s got a good vibe. He’s got upbeat energy, and I think guys generally feed off that. He’s continued to learn the offense and improve as a thrower,” offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes said.
O’Neill joined the Badgers this offseason after a year as San Diego State’s starter, where he passed for 2,181 yards and 12 touchdowns. His time there proved valuable enough to Wisconsin’s coaching staff to slot him second on the depth chart going into this year.
Since taking over, O’Neil said Edwards Jr., who is out on a week-to-week basis, has been giving him “pointers” at practice and watching film together has been valuable.
Another challenge is waiting for O’Neil in Wisconsin’s match-up with Middle Tennessee Saturday. With support from Edwards, and the confidence and experience needed to win, O’Neil figures to be in a strong position to build on his Badger debut.
