ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) Nakia Watson and Mason Stokke each scored two touchdowns in the first half, helping No. 13 Wisconsin build a big lead in a 49-11 rout of Michigan on Saturday night.

The Badgers (2-0) returned to competition after canceling two games of their all-Big Ten schedule due to a COVID-19 breakout within the program and didn't look rusty at all against a hapless team.

The Wolverines (1-3) fell behind 28-0 at halftime, their largest deficit at home since the Big House opened in 1927, and are off to their worst start since 1967.

Early on, it appeared Michigan might put up a fight before getting knocked out in front of friends and family in its mostly empty stadium.

The Wolverines forced the Graham Mertz-led offense to punt after the game's opening possession, only to give the ball back on the next snap when a dropped pass was picked off by Wisconsin linebacker Leo Chenal.

Wisconsin's first two touchdowns - Watson's 2-yard run and Mertz's 1-yard pass to Stokke - were four plays after Joe Milton's passes were intercepted. The running back and fullback scored their second touchdowns on runs in the second quarter, giving the Badgers a 28-0 lead that was large enough against an offensively challenged team.

The Badgers finished with 341 yards rushing and five scores on the ground.

Mertz was 12 of 22 for 127 yards with two touchdowns.

The redshirt freshman wasn't as spectacular as he was in his first career start, when he completed his first 17 passes and matched a school record with five touchdown passes, but the team was just thankful he was cleared to play.

Mertz tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 24, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. As of last week, the Badgers had 27 active COVID-19 cases involving 15 players and 12 staffers.

Milton was 9 of 19 for 98 yards with two interceptions and was replaced when the Wolverines were down 35-3 late in the third quarter. In relief, Cade McNamara completed 4 of 7 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown.