MADISON, Wis. — The situation regarding Tyler Van Dyke is as dire as anticipated.

The quarterback for Wisconsin is set to miss the rest of the season due to a right knee injury sustained during the first quarter of the team’s 42-10 defeat against Alabama on Saturday. The Wisconsin State Journal initially reported on the seriousness of the injury, which was later verified by ESPN, noting that Van Dyke suffered a complete ACL tear.

With Van Dyke out, redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke will take over as the starting quarterback, while true freshman Mabrey Mettauer will step in as the primary backup.

Wisconsin has a bye week this Saturday before heading to Southern California on September 28 to kick off their Big Ten conference games.

This situation marks the second consecutive season that Wisconsin will be without its leading quarterback for an extended period. Last year, Tanner Mordecai fractured his right hand in the first half against Iowa, causing him to miss that game and the following three.

Locke took over for Mordecai and guided the Badgers to a comeback victory against Illinois, despite losses to Ohio State and Indiana in the three full games he started. During that span, he completed 60 passes out of 121 attempts (.496) for 648 yards, with five touchdowns and no interceptions.

For the current season, Locke has completed 76 of 152 passes (.500) for a total of 777 yards, adding five touchdowns and one interception.

In the recent game, Locke played nearly all but the initial seven plays for Wisconsin. He achieved 13 completions on 26 attempts for 125 yards and one touchdown. The Badgers totaled 268 yards and averaged 4.1 yards per play under his leadership.

Locke orchestrated a 17-play, 75-yard touchdown drive on the team’s first possession of the third quarter. Additionally, during their final complete possession of the first half, he managed a 10-play, 57-yard drive that culminated in a missed 44-yard field goal by junior Nathanial Vakos.

“We have complete faith in Braedyn,” said Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell after the match on Saturday. “He faced a tough battle throughout fall camp and even in spring practice. Braedyn is capable of executing this offense and can bring some different elements compared to Tyler. But it just wasn’t enough today.”

Due to the bye week in the Badgers’ schedule, Locke’s first game as a starter for this season will be against No. 12 USC on September 28. The time off will also allow the team to regroup following its most significant defeat since losing to No. 3 Ohio State, 52-21, in 2022.

Fickell and offensive coordinator Phil Longo have commended Locke for his comprehension of the offense. While Van Dyke quickly adapted to the UW playbook, having learned three different offenses in his three years at Miami, he held an upper hand over Locke with his arm strength and agility.

Now, the Badgers need to adapt to a quarterback with different strengths.

One thing that can’t be substituted is Van Dyke’s experience, with 30 college starts and participation in 34 games overall.

“You never wish for an injury. That’s clear,” Locke stated. “He has been an incredible teammate, a leader, and a fantastic player. He does things the right way, and I respect him a lot. We have a good relationship, and no part of you ever wishes for that to happen, but when your number is called, you have to be prepared to step up.”