Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon Shreds Nebraska For 408 yards In Badger’s 59-28 Win

Melvin Gordon of Wisconsin has declared his consideration for this year’s Heisman Trophy. Emphatically.

Sports Illustrated is reporting that Gordon rushed for an FBS record 408 yards on just 25 carries and four touchdowns in the Badger’s 59-28 drubbing of Nebraska Saturday night in Wisconsin. With the victory, Wisconsin (8-2) takes control of first place in the Big Ten West Division over Nebraska (8-2). Wisconsin overcame a 17-3 deficit and two lost fumbles by Gordon by running around, on, and through No. 16 Nebraska’s vaunted “Blackshirt” defense.

Enter Gordon, who would help Wisconsin score 56 unanswered points, solidify Wisconsin’s first place position, and broke the rushing yards record.

And then, Gordon took the fourth quarter off.

What makes Gordon’s feat so remarkable was that 7 of Gordon’s 25 rushes were of 25 or more rushes. One of his last rushes, a 68-yard jolt, broke the Wisconsin single-game yards record of 339 yards held by Ron Dayne. Gordon would score on a 6-yard touchdown on the next play.

On the final play of the third quarter, Gordon scored on a 26-yard touchdown at the end of the third quarter to give No. 20 Wisconsin a 52-17 lead. That broke the NCAA single-game rushing yards record held by former TCU running back LaDanian Tomlinson of 406 yards. Gordon’s next goal may be the NCAA seasonal rushing yards record held by former Boston College running back Andre Williams, at 2,177 yards. Gordon is currently at 1,909 yards, along with 23 touchdowns. Gordon will have at least two more games to break the seasonal record, so it seems likely.

ESPN is reporting that Gordon’s efforts have contributed to his Heisman stock rising. Going into Saturday, two of the top collegiate football players being touted were Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, followed closely by Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott, both of whom had played memorable games against quality teams. Prescott would have benefitted from another good performance.

Gordon, however, was looked upon as padding his statistics against teams of lesser quality before Saturday. Mariota did not play due to Oregon’s bye week, while Prescott and Mississippi State suffered their first loss, 25-20, to Alabama, Prescott struggling through the game. Gordon’s performance now vaults the fourth-season junior running back into the Heisman spotlight. He still has a lot of ground to cover to gain on Mariota, but he is gaining. Quickly.

“I think he’s the best of the best,” Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen said. “And he proved it on the national stage when he was given the opportunity. There’s some great players out there… and the decision is going to be made by other people. But if I made that decision, it’s going to this guy right here.”

[Image courtesy of ABC News]