Ameer Abdullah did not practice in Nebraska’s bye week after leaving AP No. 11 Nebraska’s 35-14 defeat of Purdue early back on Nov. 1.
Despite that absence, Huskers head coach Bo Pelini believes Abdullah will return to action for Nebraska’s visit to No. 25 Wisconsin on Saturday.
“We’ll see on Saturday,” Pelini said Monday, “but I would anticipate him playing.”
And really, Abdullah has to play Saturday, because Freedom is on the line. The Huskers and Badgers announced earlier Monday that they would play for the Freedom Trophy, because that is something apparently only Nebraskans and Wisconsinites enjoy.
More importantly, Abdullah’s presence is mandatory if Nebraska hopes to fend off Wisconsin (and Minnesota) for the Big Ten West title; the Huskers, Gophers and Badgers are currently tied for first at 4-1 in conference play. Wisconsin ranks fifth nationally in rush defense (94.3 yards per game allowed), seventh in yards per carry allowed (2.9), first in total defense (251.1 yards per game allowed), fourth in yards per play allowed (4.24) and third in scoring defense (14.3 points per game allowed).
After exiting the Purdue game after six carries for only one yard, Abdullah has slipped to fifth nationally in total rushing yards (1,250) and sixth in yards per game (138.89). Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon leads the nation in both categories (1,501 total rushing yards and 166.78 per game).
The Huskers and Badgers will battle for Freedom Saturday in Madison at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
