Wisconsin running back Gideon Ituka exited Saturday’s college football game on a backboard and was transported to the hospital. He gave two thumbs up to the crowd as he left the field.
The initial update on his current status is extremely positive.
This kind of health scare is always a risk in college football. Both teams gathered to pray for his recovery.
Gideon Ituka took two consecutive hits to the head.
The play in question took place during the third quarter. Ituka took a handoff to the right side but his offensive line did not give him anywhere to go.
A Hoosiers defender met the Badgers’ ball-carrier behind the line of scrimmage with a direct hit to the head. Ituka slipped the tackle and kept his feet but a second defender delivered a second helmet-to-helmet hit while he tried to regain his footing. Wisconsin’s running back did not get back up.
Gideon Ituka has been down for several minutes after taking two hits to the head on this play
— Carter J. Lowe 🦡 (@CarterJLoweNCAA) November 15, 2025
They are currently bringing out a stretcher#Badgers #iufb pic.twitter.com/gC63uQkXen
It was back-to-back hits to the head within a span of just a few seconds.
Prayers for Gideon Ituka 🙏🏿💪🏿💯 pic.twitter.com/xqrZUH1zjw
— Sports with Truckin Chubbzy (@truckinchubbzy) November 15, 2025
Although I cannot say for certain whether Gideon Ituka was knocked unconscious, he laid motionless on the field for more than a few moments. The medical team carted him off of the field on a backboard.
Both teams took a knee and players from both sides came together to pray for his recovery.
The redshirt freshman was able to give a double thumbs up to the crowd. That is always a good sign.
He was transported to a local hospital in Bloomington.
The running back was released from the hospital and flew home with Wisconsin.
Big Ten Network sideline reporter Brook Fletcher spoke to Badgers officials just moments before the fourth quarter came to a close. They were able to provide her with an update on their running back.
Gideon Ituka had movement in all of his extremities upon arrival to the hospital. He was able to move his arms, legs, fingers and toes. That was an even better sign than the initial thumbs up.
UPDTE: Ituka was released from the hospital on Saturday afternoon and flew home with his teammates.
This is amazing news. His status moving forward is unclear.