Wisconsin got some unexpected news on Thursday, when longtime running back Chez Mellusi announced that he was stepping away from the program due to a health-related reason. In the first game without their veteran, Tawee Walker filled the RB1 role during the Badgers' 52-6 blowout win over Purdue.

Running back Chez Mellusi, the Wisconsin Badgers' leading rusher, is stepping away from the team to focus on getting healthy after battling injuries, the school announced Friday.

Wisconsin won’t have its leading rusher when it attempts to bounce back from a two-game skid. The Badgers issued a statement Thursday saying that Chez Mellusi is stepping away from the team on at least a temporary basis as he works to get healthy.