Abu Sama says he expects to be back in the lineup for Wisconsin’s Week 4 matchup against Penn State after sitting out last week with a shoulder issue.
That’s a welcome development for the Badgers, who have been working through an uneven start to the backfield rotation. Sama was a game-time decision for Saturday, cleared to play, but Wisconsin chose not to use him unless it became necessary. It never did.
Without him, the Badgers leaned on a spread-out workload at running back. Darrion Dupree finished with eight carries for 29 yards, Nate Palmer added seven carries for 29 yards, and Bryan Jackson had five carries for 17 yards. Wisconsin’s ground game wasn’t especially sharp overall, averaging under four yards per carry and finishing with 117 rushing yards.
Sama’s absence came after a strong showing the week before, when he ripped off 103 yards and a touchdown on his first two touches. Even with that burst, his snap count has fluctuated early in the season as Wisconsin has tried to sort out the backfield. The source of that inconsistency has included Sama’s tendency to bounce runs outside instead of taking them straight ahead.
Still, the upside is obvious. He’s the most explosive runner on the roster, and the Badgers were hoping to lean on him as a bellcow to open the year.
So far this season, Sama has 156 yards and a touchdown while averaging 6.8 yards per carry.
Wisconsin’s offense had a much bigger day overall in the 54-10 win over Penn State, piling up nearly 500 yards behind Colton Joseph’s best performance as a Badger. Joseph threw for 362 yards and four touchdowns, added 46 rushing yards, and scored on the ground once as Wisconsin rolled.
The defense did its part, too, helping turn the afternoon into a blowout.
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Wisconsin Fans Have Another Reason To Watch Jack Sorgi Closely
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Wisconsin's Penn State Test Gets Tougher With Two Huge Matchups
Wisconsin wrapped up non-conference play at 2-1 and now heads into the part of the schedule that usually tells the story of a season. Penn State is next, and the Nittany Lions arrive ranked No. 13 with a 3-0 start, which makes this a tough opening test for the Badgers as Big Ten play begins.
The challenge gets even more layered when you look at the names involved. Quarterback Drew Becht has been the engine of the Penn State offense, while wide receiver Jahan Howard remains one of the key pieces to track as his injury status is questionable heading into the game. On the other side, linebacker Kalen Rojas is back from injury and giving the Penn State defense a boost, which only adds to the pressure Wisconsin will face in a matchup that already has plenty of weight. [Read more 🡒]
Wisconsins Auburn Test Just Got Bigger In A Brutal December Stretch
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The matchup also has a different look on the Auburn side entering the 2026-27 season. Steven Pearl is set to be in his second year leading the Tigers, and they bring back important pieces in Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton, which only raises the intrigue around how Wisconsin handles that stretch of the calendar. The timing of the game, right in the middle of a brutal December run, makes it feel less like a standalone showcase and more like a road sign for what this Badgers team might be by then. [Read more 🡒]