Georgia State vs. Wisconsin: RB Corey Clement out against Panthers|Wisconsin Hot Topics|Team BattleGround|College BattleGround

The No. 9/No. 12 (AP/Coaches) Wisconsin Badgers (2-0) will head into its last non-conference game without its star tailback.

Head coach Paul Chryst announced on Saturday morning via Facebook that junior 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 question if Clement would play against their 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.

On Thursday before practice, 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 in 2016. 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.