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Get ready to see more of Joel Stave, Wisconsin fans.
The Badgers face the Illinois Fighting Illini in Champaign Saturday afternoon and will do so minus running backs Corey Clement (sports hernia surgery) and Taiwan Deal (ankle). Center Dan Voltz (elbow) is also a game-time decision, but head coach Paul Chryst said Monday he expects Voltz to play.
Defensively, lineman Arthur Goldberg also didn't make the trip. Conor Sheehy will start in his place, according to UWBadgers.com's Mike Lucas, who first reported the absences Saturday morning.
That's certainly a hefty injury list, even for a team that is getting four or five points as a road favorite. At running back, the Badgers will send out Dare Ogunbowale and Alec Ingold -- both former defensive players. Ogunbowale, a junior, leads UW with 95 carries for 482 yards and four touchdowns. Ingold, a true freshman who moved over from inside linebacker earlier in the season, has 24 carries for 93 yards and three touchdowns.
So, back to Stave. The always polarizing quarterback attempted 39 passes last weekend in the win over Purdue, one week after attempting a career-high 50 against Nebraska. Wisconsin won both games, and over those two games, Stave is 54-for-89 (60.7 percent) for 644 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Decent numbers, but if Illinois is able to contain Ogunbowale and Ingold, the game could absolutely fall on Stave's shoulders.
We'll have more updates here should any develop.
#Badgers TB Corey Clement didn't make trip to Illinois. Decision made after Thurs. practice. Took some reps this week. Still not game-ready.
— Mike Lucas (@LucasAtLarge) October 24, 2015
#Badgers TB Taiwan Deal also didn't make the trip to Illinois. Deal, who's 2nd leading rusher (81 for 357yds & 4 TDs), last played at Neb.
— Mike Lucas (@LucasAtLarge) October 24, 2015
#Badgers center Dan Voltz' availability will be game-time decision at Illinois. Michael Deiter shifted from guard & handled snaps vs Purdue
— Mike Lucas (@LucasAtLarge) October 24, 2015
#Badgers defensive lineman Arthur Goldberg sidelined with injury and didn't make Illinois trip. Conor Sheehy will start. Can play DE or NG
— Mike Lucas (@LucasAtLarge) October 24, 2015