Gideon Ituka injury update: Wisconsin football running back carted off after hit vs Indiana

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Wisconsin football running back Gideon Ituka suffered a frightening injury in the third quarter of the Badgers' game against undefeated Indiana on Saturday, Nov. 15, that put a lengthy pause on the Big Ten contest.

The redshirt freshman who has emerged as the team's top running back amid several other injuries stayed down following a hit and was immediately tended to by medical staff as players from both teams took a knee.

Crews stablized his head and neck area and was put on a stretcher.

He gave the thumbs up as he was taken to the locker room on a cart.

Journal Sentinel reporter Mark Stewart, who is in Bloomington, said staff removed Ituka's jersey and shoulder pads before he was placed on the stretcher. After falling to the field, he laid flat on his back. He was moving his right hand immediately.

The injury occurred with 8:35 left in the third quarter with the Badgers trailing the No. 1-ranked Hoosiers, 17-7, at Memorial Stadium.

Ituka rushed for 32 yards on nine carries before the injury.

Who is Gideon Ituka?

Ituka, a redshirt freshman from Gaithersburg, Maryland, entered the game with 223 yards on 51 carries this season. With injuries to the running back room this season, Ituka has been elevated to the top of the depth chart.

And he has stepped up.

Ituka had a team-high 85 yards on 21 carries against Oregon on Oct. 25 and posted a game-high 73 yards on 19 carries in Wisconsin’s first Big Ten win of the season on Nov. 8 against Washington.

Gideon Ituka injury

Here's where the injury occured.

With Wisconsin facing a 3rd and 4 at its own 40-yard line, Ikua took an initial hit in the backfield before breaking that tackle attempt. But in his second effort he encountered a more ferocious hit as he was taken to the ground near the line of scrimmage.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Gideon Ituka injury: Wisconsin football running back hurt vs Indiana

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