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Injury update: Illinois RB Josh Ferguson, WR Marchie Murdock will not play vs. Wisconsin

True freshman running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn will start for second consecutive game.

By Brandon M. Cain
Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois running back Josh Ferguson will not play in Saturday's game against Wisconsin and wide receiver Marchie Murdock will join him on the sideline.

The Illini (4-2, 1-1 in Big Ten) said Thursday in its injury report Ferguson will miss a second straight game with a right shoulder injury he suffered against Nebraska. The senior back also missed the Iowa game.

Murdock is out with a thigh bruise.

Ferguson suffered his injury late in the first quarter against Nebraska. The senior back had 50 yards on four carries before exiting the game. He rushed for a season-high 133 yards against North Carolina -- his only 100-plus yard game this season -- and racked up 381 yards on 71 carries and three touchdowns while making 12 catches for 78 yards.

True freshman running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn will start for the second consecutive game. Vaughn rushed for 67 yards on 19 carries with one touchdown, and added 49 yards on four receptions in the Illini's 29-20 loss to undefeated Iowa at Kinnick Stadium. He leads the Illini run game with 392 yards and three touchdowns through six games.

Murdock, who also missed the Iowa game, is the team's second-leading receiver with 194 yards, and he's tied for the team lead with three touchdown catches.

The Illini host the Badgers (5-2, 2-1) for homecoming on Saturday in a Big Ten West division clash.