Wisconsin running back Corey Clement will miss the Badgers' Week 3 clash against Georgia State on Saturday because of an ankle injury.
Continue for updates.
Clement's Status Uncertain Beyond Week 3
Saturday, Sept. 17
Brett McMurphy of ESPN confirmed the team's backfield starter has been ruled out of the contest as the nation's ninth-ranked squad attempts to improve to 3-0.
Clement racked up 111 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries in the first half of the Badgers' blowout victory over Akron last week. He seemed to injure the ankle late in the second quarter, however, and didn't play during the second half.
While it's common for highly ranked teams to rest players with lingering injuries against opponents from non-power conferences, head coach Paul Chryst downplayed that approach during the week when asked about the rusher's availability, per Jason Galloway of the Wisconsin State Journal:
That'd be pretty arrogant. If a kid can play, he's going to play. Pretty simple. Pretty straightforward. We have 12 opportunities to play as a team, but these kids are guaranteed none of that. We saw it with Chris Orr. We saw it with Natrell Jamerson. You do all this work so you can play the game, and if you can play the game, you're going to play.
Clement's absence is a major setback for the team's offense. He's racked up 42 carries through two games despite missing two quarters of action last week. The next highest total on the team is 13.
Dare Ogunbowale and Taiwan Deal figure to split the lion's share of the backfield workload against the Panthers. Freshman Bradrick Shaw could also get another chance to shine. He broke off a 35-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter last week.
No timetable was immediately provided for Clement's return to the lineup. Wisconsin has a daunting schedule on the horizon, with games against Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa looming over the next month, starting next Saturday against the Spartans.
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