CHARLOTTE, NC – The Wisconsin Badgers won the Duke’s Mayo Bowl and the trophy that went with it.
And then they broke it.
While dancing to celebrate his team’s 42-28 victory Wednesday at Wake Forest, referee Graham Mertz dropped the soccer-shaped piece of Lenox crystal and splashed it on the floor of the locker room after it fell off his base .
“We just wanted everyone to have a piece of the trophy,” joked Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst.
Mertz was responsible for three touchdowns and Wisconsin converted four interceptions from the second half, all by different players, into 21 points to turn a close game into a nearby Demon Deacons route. Five players scored the Badgers for the Badgers.
Mertz, a rookie of the red dress, threw for 130 yards and ran for two short TDs as Wisconsin (4-3) ended a rocky 2020 season on a high note.
“Yes, I dropped it,” Mertz said shyly. ‘It depends on me. It happened. “
The Badgers may be willing to forgive him.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.