Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell provided an update on star wide receiver Will Pauling’s injury ahead of the Badgers’ Week 8 game vs. Northwestern.
Pauling, who exited Wisconsin’s Week 7 game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights with an upper-body injury, is considered questionable for the Badgers’ upcoming contest.
After reeling in a pass over the middle of the field from quarterback Braedyn Locke in the second quarter, Pauling lowered his head before taking a hard hit from Rutgers linebacker Dariel Djabome. He exited the game after the play and did not return.
Pauling’s afternoon against Rutgers finished with 49 receiving yards and a touchdown on four receptions.
Fickell noted on Monday that the star pass-catcher did not exit Saturday’s game with a concussion. The official word, again, lists Pauling as ‘questionable’ for Saturday.
Luke Fickell says Will Pauling did not suffer a concussion against Rutgers.
Currently questionable for Northwestern.#Badgers
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) October 14, 2024
In his absence, wide receivers Vinny Anthony II and Trech Kekahuna filled the void on the receiving end. The two speedsters combined for six catches and 120 receiving yards on the afternoon.
Luckily for UW, the team didn’t require a whole lot from its receiving core. Wisconsin running backs Tawee Walker, Cade Yacamelli and Darrion Dupree totaled nearly 300 rushing yards en route to a 42-7 win in New Jersey.
On the season, Pauling is responsible for a team-best 25 catches, 251 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. His status is one to monitor before Wisconsin’s upcoming battle in Evanston, Illinois.
