Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell hopes Abu Sama is further along after sitting out last week, but his status for Saturday at No. 13 Penn State remains uncertain. Emerson Mandell's availability after returning from a knee injury will depend on practice.
Mandell played about 23–25 snaps over two or three series last week, his first game action since injuring his knee midway through spring practice; Fickell said he was still rusty. Mason Posa's foot issue will need ongoing management, though he had felt better each week. Fickell did not expect a problem for PJ Wilkins but had not confirmed that, and said Lucas Simmons could play left tackle if needed.
Saturday's game opens Big Ten play for both teams and is Wisconsin's first road game of the season. The Badgers are 10-point underdogs, with kickoff at 5 p.m. ET. Fickell said Happy Valley will pose a different challenge from Wisconsin's neutral-site opener against Notre Dame.
