It seems that some Big Ten running backs are starting to hit their groove and perform at the level that is expected of them, while there are still some waiting for the big impact that is expected of them. Michigan running back Blake Corum continues to pile up in the touchdown department and has been a consistently productive rusher early on for Michigan as the Wolverines have yet to really be tested. As the games become more challenging, expect Corum to start racking up more rushing yards along the way.
Penn State’s [autotag]Nick Singleton[/autotag], last year’s Big Ten freshman of the year, has not broken loose for a long run or put up major rushing yards just yet, but he has scored five touchdowns for the Nittany Lions. His teammate, Kaytron Allen, continues to lead the Nittany Lions in rushing with 280 yards. Penn State’s rushing offense currently ranks second in the Big Ten, so the duo is having an impact on the offense in an effective manner.
One of the Big Ten’s rushing yardage leaders, Wisconsin’s Chez Mellusi, suffered what is expected to be a season-ending injury in Week 4. Mellusi reportedly fractured his fibula in Friday night’s road win at Purdue, bringing his season to a premature ending for 2023, with hopes of a possible return in 2024 still on the table. Mellusi was among the Big Ten’s top 10 rushing leaders, but his injury-shortened season means he will soon be falling off the top 10 leaderboard among Big Ten rushers.
Sources: Wisconsin running back Chez Mellusi suffered a fractured fibula in Friday's win against Purdue and is expected to miss the rest of the season. Mellusi had 307 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns before the injury.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) September 23, 2023
Here is an updated look at the Big Ten’s top 10 rushing yardage leaders through the first four weeks of the college football season.