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How Billy Edwards, Danny O'Neil compared to other new Big Ten QBs in Week 1

The Wisconsin Badgers didn't have the start they were hoping for from the quarterback position in Week 1, but they weren't the only Big Ten team hoping for better under center from a new QB.
Lorin Cox|
Injured Wisconsin quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. congratulates quarterback Danny O'Neil after a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter of their game Thursday, August 28, 2025 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Miami (Ohio) 17-0.
Injured Wisconsin quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. congratulates quarterback Danny O'Neil after a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter of their game Thursday, August 28, 2025 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Miami (Ohio) 17-0. | Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Wisconsin Badgers

The Wisconsin Badgers didn't have the start they were hoping for from the quarterback position in Week 1.

They weren't the only Big Ten team hoping to see more from new passers taking their first snaps under center.

Billy Edwards Jr. didn't look bad, but the disappointing part was obviously the injury that took him out of the game in the second quarter.

Wisconsin wasn't expecting to have to use backup Danny O'Neil, who also transferred in this offseason from San Diego State.

He struggled initially with an ugly interception, but he bounced back and led the Badgers to their first touchdown drive of the season, finishing 12-of-19 for 120 yards.

It was overall a little underwhelming at quarterback for Wisconsin, but that was the case for a number of transfer QBs starting their first game for new teams.

Nico Iamaleava was one of the most high-profile transfers, heading to UCLA from Tennessee. In Week 1 against Utah, he finished 11-of-22 for only 136 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Ohio State's Julian Sayin had almost identical stat line to O'Neil, minus the interception. Against Texas, the Buckeyes QB went 13-for-20 with a 126 yards and a touchdown.

Fernando Mendoza at Indiana was unspectacular as well, completing just under 60 percent of his passes for 193 yards.

It was even more of a struggle for Mark Gronowski at Iowa. Against FCS Albany, he threw for only 44 yards on 8-of-15 passing, though he did throw and run for touchdown.

The worst of the weekend in the Big Ten had to be Northwestern's Preston Stone. The SMU transfer threw four interceptions in the Wildcats Week 1 loss to Tulane.

Slow starts aren't too surprising for new quarterbacks operating new offenses with new teammates.

It wasn't necessarily what Badgers fans wanted to see from their QBs to start the season, but they weren't the only ones a little disappointed in Week 1.

Whether it's O'Neil or Edwards moving forward, both Wisconsin quarterbacks should improve as they get more comfortable with their receivers and play calls as the season goes on.

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Lorin Cox
LORIN COX

Lorin Cox is the managing editor of Wisconsin Badgers on SI. He has been covering Badgers sports since 2014, when he was an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin. He previously wrote for the Wisconsin State Journal, NBC Sports Chicago and USA Today Sports Media Group, and he is a former analyst for Pro Football Focus.