Maryland vs. Wisconsin: players to know ahead of Big Ten opener

Joseph Luber
Sep 16
3 min read

Updated: Sep 16

Maryland football will look for its first win against the Badgers in five tries when they head to Madison for the Big Ten opener next weekend. Maryland opened as a 7-point underdog with the line since growing to 8.5, but as head coach Mike Locksley looks to guide the Terps to their second 4-0 start in three seasons, we take a look at names to know ahead of the week four matchup:

QB Billy Edwards Jr. - Edwards is a familiar name for Maryland fans, having spent the 2022–24 seasons with the Terps. He began 2024 as the starter before being benched late in the year and transferring to Wisconsin. Edwards has seen limited action this season due to a lower back injury suffered in Week 1. His status for Saturday remains uncertain.

QB Danny O'Neil - If Edwards is unable to play, O’Neil will get the start. The sophomore transfer from San Diego State has shown flashes but remains inconsistent. He managed steady outings against Miami (OH) and Middle Tennessee State but struggled against Alabama, finishing 11-for-17 for 117 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Maryland’s young pass rush, led by Zahir Mathis and Sidney Stewart, will aim to pressure O’Neil and force mistakes.

TE Lance Mason - A senior transfer from Missouri State (FCS), Mason has quickly emerged as a key target in the Badgers’ passing game. He is one of only two FBS tight ends this season to record 100+ receiving yards and a touchdown in a single game. While Alabama limited him to two catches last week, Mason tallied seven receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown against MTSU. Limiting his impact will be critical for Maryland’s defense.

WR Jayden Ballard - Ballard, a senior transfer from Ohio State, has made the most of limited opportunities. Despite just six receptions on the year, he has turned two of them into explosive touchdowns—a 58-yarder versus MTSU and a 41-yarder against Alabama. His 23.5 yards per catch ranks fifth in the Big Ten. While being a traditionally run-heavy team, head coach Luke Fickell has tried to turn Wisconsin into an air-raid offense. While Fickell's plan hasn't been super successful yet, Ballard could be the difference out wide that Fickell is looking for to help their offense be more successful at the air-raid.

WR Vinny Anthony – after playing in 23 games and starting four games during his first two seasons, Anthony led the Badgers with 672 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2024 while averaging the most yards per catch in nearly 20 years by a Badgers wideout. He also did so efficiently, dropping just one pass against 39 catches and 56 targets, as he enters 2025 as a dynamic piece for the Badgers. Anthony has also been a key piece as a returner, becoming the first Badger in 41 years to record a rushing, receiving and kickoff return touchdown in the same season. Maryland’s special teams has taken steps of improvement over the last two weeks as Anthony tests the Terps’ unit coordinated by Andre Powell.

OLB Mason Reiger - Reiger, a senior transfer from Louisville, anchors Wisconsin’s edge rush. He has recorded one sack and seven tackles through three games, while earning an 86.9 grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking fifth among Big Ten edge defenders. Maryland’s offensive line has held up well through non-conference play, but Reiger presents one of its toughest challenges to date.

CB Ricardo Hallman – the stepson of longtime NFL running back Frank Gore, the junior returns to anchor the Badgers' secondary after a breakout 2024 season. Hallman started all 13 games last season and allowed 20 catches on 33 targets and over 300 snaps in coverage, the second-fewest in the Big Ten among corners with 300+ coverage snaps. That came one season after Hallman led the country with seven interceptions, though he’ll look to register his first interception since the 2023 season.

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