Chez Mellusi’s grandfather passed away on Friday, but he only told Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell after Saturday’s game had ended.
By then, Mellusi had given a performance that would have made his grandfather proud.
Mellusi ran for two touchdowns, Tyler Van Dyke threw for another, and Wisconsin won 27-13 against South Dakota. Mellusi had mentioned his grandfather’s situation to a few people earlier in the week, but kept it mostly to himself.
“I didn’t want any sympathy,” Mellusi said. “I need to do a better job letting my guys know what I’m going through. That’s on me.”
Van Dyke completed 17 out of 27 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown for the Badgers (2-0). Mellusi had 16 carries for 60 yards, and Cade Yacamelli led the team with 73 rushing yards on eight carries.
Mellusi said he was very close to his grandfather and took the loss hard. Mellusi’s father, Mario Mellusi, did not come to Saturday’s game.
“It’s life,” Chez Mellusi said. “I know what he would’ve wanted for me is to play the best version of myself. And I have to be better. Today, I did all right. I left some things on the field, for sure.”
Fickell mentioned that this season, Mellusi’s role and impact within the team have grown.
“It’s the best I’ve seen him — as a leader, as a guy that can provide some energy and provide some spark,” Fickell said. “It’s a great reminder to us, especially us that understand this college football scene is changing, that even the older players can truly grow.”
Cade Yacamelli rushed for a team-high 73 yards on eight attempts.
Wisconsin quickly built a 14-0 lead in the first quarter with a 9-yard touchdown run by Mellusi and a 50-yard touchdown pass from Van Dyke to CJ Williams.
South Dakota (1-1) closed the gap to 17-13 in the third quarter but couldn’t get any closer.
Nathanial Vakos’ 50-yard field goal made it 20-13 late in the third quarter. Mellusi’s 1-yard touchdown run with 7:35 left in the game secured the win at 27-13.
