The Wisconsin Badgers are 3-2 to start the season and will be preparing to face the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in another BIG10 Conference game this weekend. Running back Chez Mellusi did not play in the 52-6 win for the Badgers over the Purdue Boilermakers this past Saturday.
He has played in four games this season. Mellusi has rushed for 232 yards on 56 carries and three touchdowns, averaging 4.1 yards per carry this season. He has also caught six passes for 17 yards receiving and zero touchdowns, averaging 2.8 yards per reception.
Wisconsin Badgers Running Back Chez Mellusi Stepping Away From the Football Program
Mellusi is stepping away from the football program for now, but there is a chance that he could return this season. Injuries have played a huge role in his college football career. In a statement released by the Wisconsin Badgers, it said:
“We want to let people know that Chez is going to be stepping away from the team for now and working to get his body healthy. He’s endured many injuries and has worked extremely hard to be able to play this year, but his body hasn’t responded the way he expected. We’re here to support Chez in any way we can and hope he’ll be back on the football field again one day.”
He has been with the Wisconsin Badgers for the last few seasons. Mellusi did not make much of an impact with the team a season ago where Braelon Allen was the top running back on the team.
Head Coach Luke Fickell Speaks Out
This was a very interesting situation with Mellusi and the Badgers program. Head coach Luke Fickell spoke to Dillon Graff of Athlon Sports and talked about the relationship between him and Chez Mellusi:
“t wasn’t like, ‘I’m out of here’ or ‘get out.’ We spend a lot of time together, a lot of conversations. We’ll continue to communicate, and who knows what it’ll lead to, but it’s just one of those situations.”
It was a good thing that Mellusi and Fickell had a good relationship with one another. Sometimes, injuries can just betray people’s bodies.
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