:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50891361/usa-today-9532034.0.jpg)
The No. 9/No. 12 (AP/Coaches) Wisconsin Badgers (2-0) will head into their last non-conference game without their star tailback.
Head coach Paul Chryst announced on Saturday morning via Facebook that senior Corey Clement would not play against Georgia State.
Wisconsin’s injury report on Thursday listed the 5’11, 227-pound running back as questionable, calling into doubt if Clement would play against the Sun Belt opponent. He injured his left ankle late in the first half in UW’s 54-10 win over Akron last Saturday after rushing for 111 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns. He did not return to the game.
Live with head coach Paul Chryst pregame.
Posted by Wisconsin Football on Saturday, September 17, 2016
Before practice on Thursday, Chryst acknowledged to reporters if Clement could play on Saturday, he would.
“If guys can play, we’re going to play them,” Chryst said. “I think they need to play, and they work too hard for these opportunities to not play, but if a guy can’t go, then I feel with the ones at that position—I think we’ve had a good week of practice at the running back spot with Taiwan [Deal] and Dare [Ogunbowale] and Bradrick [Shaw].”
Deal and Ogunbowale have combined for 123 yards on 26 carries through UW’s two games. Shaw impressed against the Zips last weekend, rushing for 74 yards on nine attempts in mop-up time. That included a 35-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Clement’s absence will also be felt on the special teams front, as Chryst announced on Thursday that true freshman A.J. Taylor will handle kickoff returns.
Through two games this season, Clement has carried the ball 42 times for 197 yards and three touchdowns.