Badgers Triumph, But at What Cost?
The Wisconsin Badgers pulled off a 38-17 win over the Purdue Boilermakers on Friday night, marking their first win in Big Ten competition this season. But, the spotlight shifted from the victory to a disheartening sight: running back Chez Mellusi's injury in the fourth quarter.
Mellusi’s Injury
Chez Mellusi had been on a roll this season, already accumulating 307 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Unfortunately in the fourth quarter, Mellusi suffered a fractured fibula, as reported by Adam Rittenberg, and his prospects for the rest of his final college season look bleak. Rittenberg also reported that Mellusi would be able to return for a final season in 2024.
Coach Fickell Weighs In
Luke Fickell, the head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers, gave a brief update after the game, stating that Mellusi had undergone X-rays. "I don't know if he's back yet," Fickell told the press. "I think they ran him over to get some X-rays and things like that. ...Hopefully, he'll be back over there by the time by the time we get back."
With Week 5 on the horizon, attention turned to who will step in for the injured running back.
Who is Next Up?
As Wisconsin gears up for a week off, the question becomes: Who will replace Mellusi in the running back position? Fickell indicated that reserves Cade Yacamelli and Jackson Acker are likely next.
"Obviously Cade ... is a guy that you've seen a little bit around here. I think that going into the season, a lot of people were talking about him and being the next guy when these two guys maybe were gone. So he's going to get a lot more opportunities to do it."
On Acker, Fickell stated, " But I think he's a guy that through all fall camp and things has really kind of honed his running back skills, and I think we'll see a lot more of him."
Final Thoughts
If there's one lesson to take away from this situation, it's that having a deep roster is crucial. Injuries are an unavoidable part of the sport, and having solid backups can be the difference between a lost season and a successful campaign.
The Wisconsin Badgers face a different road ahead without Chez Mellusi. The next few weeks will test their depth, strategy, and adaptability.
Watch Head Coach Luke Fickell's entire media conference below:
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