Wisconsin without top running back against Purdue

Wisconsin will be without its top running back for Saturday's game against Purdue. Sixth grader Chez Mellusi has withdrawn from the team to focus on rehabilitating his injuries. The team released a statement on Thursday.

Mellusi has rushed for 232 yards and three touchdowns in the first four games. Wisconsin is 2-2 this year.

“We want to let people know that Chez is stepping away from the team for now and is working on getting his body healthy,” Wisconsin said in a statement. “He suffered a lot of injuries and worked extremely hard to be able to play this year, but his body didn't respond the way he expected. We are here to support Chez in any way we can and hope that one day he will be back on the football field.”

Mellusi had struggled with injury each year of his previous three seasons with the Badgers. He missed a total of 17 games during that period. Last year, he was forced to miss the final nine games of the season due to a broken leg and ankle against Purdue.

Wisconsin will now likely turn to Cade Yacamelli and Tawee Walker to do much of the work in the backfield. The two have combined for 300 rushing yards in four games.

It's another big blow for Luke Fickell's team, which has already lost starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke this season. The Miami transfer suffered an injury in the Badgers' loss to Alabama in the third game of the year. Wisconsin will now rely on backup Braedyn Locke for the remainder of the 2024 campaign.

Purdue travels to Camp Randall Stadium this weekend hoping to end a 17-game losing streak against the Badgers. The last win for the Boilermakers came in 2003. Last year, Wisconsin defeated Purdue 38-21 at Ross-Ade Stadium.

Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. ET and the game will air on Big Ten Network.

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