We may have just witnessed the most prolific debut by a starting quarterback in Wisconsin football history.

Sophomore Danny O’Neil, whose starring role in a 42-10 victory over Middle Tennessee State invoked the names of two signal-callers who are in the NFL. One is a starter with a Super Bowl ring; the other an assistant coach who was a starter for two NFL clubs.

O’Neil completed 23 of 27 passes for 283 yards, three touchdowns and an interception while subbing for injured starter Billy Edwards Jr. The yardage total was the most by a UW quarterback making his first start with the Badgers, as was his completion percentage of 85.2.

O’Neil eclipsed Russell Wilson, whose first game with Wisconsin in 2011 was as a fifth-year senior transfer from North Carolina State. Wilson, who led Seattle to a Super Bowl title in 2014 and currently is the starting quarterback with the New York Giants, was 10-for-13 for 255 yards and two TDs during a 51-17 romp over Nevada-Las Vegas.

Meanwhile, Scott Tolzien, who played for four NFL teams and currently serves as the quarterbacks coach with New Orleans, was 10-of-15 for 257 yards, one TD and two interceptions during a 28-20 win over Northern Illinois.

O’Neil, who was 12-for-19 for 120 yards, a TD and one interception in relief of Edwards in Wisconsin’s 17-0 win over Miami (Ohio) in the season opener, currently ranks 11th nationally with a completion percentage of 76.1.

The next hill to climb for O’Neil and UW comes in a first-ever trip to face No. 19 Alabama (1-1) in Tuscaloosa at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday at 11 a.m.

The Badgers are playing their second college football game in the state of Alabama. Their first experience came in the Hall of Fame Bowl in 1984 when they dropped a 20-19 decision to Kentucky in Birmingham. After blowing a 13-0 lead, UW was in position to kick a game-winning 26-yard field goal, but the snap was dropped by holder Bob Kobza and Todd Gregoire was denied an opportunity to convert his fifth field goal of the game.

Wisconsin out-gained the Wildcats in total offense, but was whistled for 13 penalties for 133 yards and lost three turnovers.    

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