Luke Fickell faced the music Tuesday, and the news Wisconsin fans feared became reality. Danny O’Neil will start at quarterback this week after Billy Edwards Jr.’s injury knocked him out of practice. For a program that’s watched quarterback after quarterback go down over the past two seasons, this feels like déjà vu in the worst possible way.
Why Did Luke Fickell Choose Danny O’Neil Over Other Options?
Fickell wasted no time addressing the biggest question on fans’ minds during his press conference. “It was suggested to me to lead off with the quarterback so you wouldn’t ask any more questions,” he joked before delivering the news. “I don’t believe that Billy will be playing. He didn’t practice, so obviously Danny [O’Neil] would be the guy we go with, and Hunter [backup quarterback] will be the backup.”
Luke Fickell QB update: “I don’t believe that Billy will be playing. He didn’t practice, so obviously Danny would be the guy we would go with and Hunter would be the backup.”
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) September 2, 2025
Edwards, who earned the starting job on Wisconsin’s depth chart this week, simply can’t go due to his injury. That hands the keys to O’Neil, a San Diego State transfer about to make his first start in Madison.
The sophomore showed flashes during his relief appearance against Miami (OH) in the season opener. O’Neil completed 12 of 19 passes for 120 yards with one touchdown and one interception, plus he punched in a 1-yard quarterback sneak for another score. His mobility gives Wisconsin something different from what Edwards brought to the table, and that dual-threat ability could open up new possibilities for an offense searching for consistency.
What Changes Are Coming to Wisconsin’s Offensive Line?
The quarterback switch isn’t the only shakeup coming for the Badgers. When pressed about potential adjustments along the offensive line, Fickell made it clear that changes are brewing, especially at left tackle.
“There will be some shuffling around,” Fickell explained, pointing out that injuries during preseason camp limited their ability to experiment with different combinations and rotations.
Asked Luke Fickell about whether there will be any tweaks to the offensive line moving forward, specifically at left tackle: “There will be some shuffling around.”
Fickell said there wasn’t as much opportunity to move people around in preseason practice due to some injuries.
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) September 2, 2025
With Edwards sidelined and O’Neil stepping into the spotlight, protecting the new starter becomes priority number one. Getting the offensive line sorted out will be crucial for both keeping O’Neil upright and establishing the ground game that Wisconsin has always relied on.
How Many Times Can Fickell Navigate Quarterback Injuries?
This scenario feels painfully familiar for Wisconsin fans. Playing without their starting quarterback has become an unwelcome tradition under Fickell’s watch. Just last year in 2024, star transfer Tyler Van Dyke tore his ACL in Week 3, forcing Braedyn Locke into action for the rest of the season. The Badgers started strong at 5-2 but collapsed down the stretch, finishing a disappointing 5-7.
However, this situation mirrors Fickell’s first season in Madison more closely, when he successfully navigated stretches without his top quarterback while building program stability. Despite the adversity, Fickell has kept Wisconsin competitive in the brutal Big Ten and continues working toward consistency as he enters his third full season leading the program.
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Fickell, who took over as Wisconsin’s head coach in November 2022, has already transformed the program’s identity. From capturing a bowl victory in his interim debut to leading the team through grueling schedules that featured matchups against top-ranked opponents, the coach has preached resilience above all else.
With O’Neil now under center and offensive line changes on the horizon, Wisconsin fans will discover quickly how these adjustments play out on the field. One thing remains certain about Fickell’s approach: his Badgers will adapt, compete, and fight through whatever the Big Ten throws at them.
