UW linebacker Chenal misses opener with COVID diagnosis
The Wisconsin Badgers defense delivered a stout performance Saturday against Penn State, particularly in the first half, and it did so without the services of one of its standout players in a 16-10 loss to Penn State at Camp Randall Stadium.
Junior inside linebacker Leo Chenal revealed on Instagram before the game that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and would miss each of the first two UW games this season.
Chenal led the team with three sacks in 2020 and registered 46 tackles to finish second on the team behind fellow inside linebacker Jack Sanborn. His six tackles for loss were tied for most on the team with Nick Herbig last year.
Chenal was asked on Badgers media day if he was vaccinated, and he declined to comment. Badgers coach Paul Chryst said the team learned Friday that Chenal wouldn’t be available.
With Chenal out, the team turned to Mike Maskalunas, a sixth-year player in the program who had 41 career games under his belt but never recorded a start in a Badgers uniform until Saturday. He finished the game with two tackles, including one for loss.
“Just overwhelmed with emotion,” Maskalunas said of hearing his name announced with the starters. “Lot of hours put into this place, and just finally to see my name up there as a starter was pretty cool. I honestly just love this place and love helping the team any way I can. Regardless of who’s a starter, I love every second of playing for this team and this place.”
The Badgers defense allowed just two rushing yards and one first down in the first half, although the teams went to the break scoreless.
Mellusi introduces himself
Speaking of big plays, an early nearmiss for Wisconsin came back to haunt. On fourth and 1 from the Penn State 31, Chez Mellusi found an opening and ran 19 yards, but got tripped up at the last second by Ellis Burks to save a touchdown. The Badgers went scoreless on the drive, ending in a blocked field goal.
“I know exactly what play you’re talking about,” Mellusi said. “I was 150 percent going to score on that play if I didn’t get tripped up. Everyone was kind of getting pushed in that direction, and I think it was a diving linebacker at the last second, because it was there.”
Mellusi, a transfer from Clemson, proved to be a workhorse in his first game with the Badgers, carrying the ball 31 times for 121 yards and a touchdown.
Perhaps just as eye-opening as Mellusi’s workload was that Isaac Guerendo proved to be the clear-cut No. 2 choice ahead of Jalen Berger, who narrowly led the team in rushing as a true freshman in 2020.
Berger dressed but didn’t get off the sideline.
Badgers coach Paul Chryst indicated that it was simply a football decision.