Wisconsin Badgers to be without key offensive starter against No. 21 Illinois

The Badgers' injury report hasn't gotten any lighter and they'll be left short-handed in the backfield Saturday night.

Nov 15, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Gideon Ituka (10) runs the ball past Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Aiden Fisher (4) during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images | Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

MADISON, Wis. -- Injuries have derailed Wisconsin's 2025 season, and once again, the availability report for the Badgers' final home game of the campaign is lengthy.

Badgers without RB Gideon Ituka for today’s matchup vs. Illinois pic.twitter.com/ON5JC7OQzk

— Jake Kocorowski (@JakeKoco) November 22, 2025

Gideon Ituka is out, but reinforcements are coming

Ituka exited last week's loss to Indiana after sustaining an apparent injury to the head and neck area. He was
strapped to a backboard, taken off the field and transferred to a local hospital. The redshirt freshman running back still managed to catch the team flight back to Wisconsin.

Just wanna let everyone know I’m doing well. On the team plane headed home with my guys. Thanks for all the love and support.

Gideon Ituka❤️🤘🏾#OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/Y22KpEaq0c

— Gideon Ituka 🇨🇲 (@GideonItuka31) November 15, 2025

Ituka won't play in Saturday's game aginst the Fighting Illini, though. His absence will leave plenty of carries for Darrion Dupree and Cade Yacamelli, while Jackson Acker could mix in.

Related: How to watch, listen and stream Wisconsin Badgers' game vs No. 21 Illinois

Yacamelli is active for the first time since Week 9, when he sustained an upper body injury against Oregon.

More of the same at quarterback

Quarterbacks Billy Edwards and Danny O'Neil remain sidelined, leaving true freshman Carter Smith in line for his second straight start. Hunter Simmons and Milos Spasojevic fill out the rest of the QB depth chart.

Carter Smith's first career touchdown was unforgettable.

What a debut. #Badgers @_CarterSmith9 @DanSmith250 pic.twitter.com/RjULKdDojv

— Andrew Bandstra (@andrewbandstra) November 9, 2025

Other Notes

Christian Alliegro made his return against the Hoosiers after a two-game absence due to a broken arm. The linebacker was listed as questionable on the Badgers' pregame availability report in Week 12, but he comes into Saturday's clash with Illinois without an injury designation.

Sign Up For the Wisconsin Daily Digest - OnSI’s Free Wisconsin Badgers Newsletter

#Badgers ILB Christian Alliegro, listed as questionable, has a heavy club on his broken right arm/hand and appears as though he'll be able to play. Might not be a ton because of the success of Catalano/Posa, but available nonetheless.

— Colten Bartholomew (@CBartWSJ) November 15, 2025

Alliegro had started in all seven of Wisconsin's games before suffering the injury. While he was out, the freshman duo of Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano impressed enough to push Alliegro into a significantly smaller role. Alliegro played merely 10 snaps against Indiana.

Wide receiver Joseph Griffin will play for the first time since Week 6. He caught one of two targets for five yards before going down with an undisclosed injury. The 6-foot-4 pass-catcher could give Smith and the Badgers offense a quality downfield and redzone threat, but he'll likely be used sparingly.

More Wisconsin Badgers News:

• Wisconsin pursuing D-II defensive tackle in transfer portal with ties to Badgers roster

• Wisconsin Badgers CB ends lawsuit against NCAA seeking eligibility, calls out federal judge

• Wisconsin Badgers trying to flip Boston College OL recruit after losing 2 commits this week

• Expert picks for Wisconsin vs Illinois: Badgers will put a scare into No. 21 Illini