Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon Seeking Redemption vs. Iowa

Nov 15, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) rushes with the football during the first quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Over the course of the last two seasons, only two teams have held Wisconsin star running back and Heisman Trophy favorite Melvin Gordon to less than four yards per carry. Those two teams are the Western Illinois Leathernecks and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

As a former Iowa Hawkeyes commit, Gordon and Kirk Ferentz’s crew have had a bit of a history in his becoming a star player as a member of the Badgers’ program. Clearly, Gordon isn’t regretting his decision to flip commitments and the Hawkeyes are in a position right now where, Gordon or not, they can earn a trip to the Big Ten title game.

Still, being 91 yards away from 2,000 yards and reaching that milestone in Iowa City could be a bit of a redemption story for Gordon, who is definitely not liked by Hawkeyes fans by association with the Badgers but even more so that he has turned into the player he has after originally committing to playing for Ferentz.

With Todd Gurley’s injury, and perhaps even without it, Gordon has established himself as the top running back in this year’s class. He is a big, speedy back who can do it all. He doesn’t catch a lot of passes because Wisconsin doesn’t ask him to at this point in time, but he does everything else and one thing that he has always done well is gain huge chunks of yards every time he touches the football.

Rushing for 7.8 yards per carry last year as a sophomore, Gordon could have easily left school with two years of eligibility remaining and likely been a day one or two draft pick. This season, he has blown everyone way by receiving even more carries and gaining bigger chunks of yards every time he touches the ball. He is currently averaging 8.6 yards per carry but he will face a stiff task against an Iowa defense that has had success defending him.

It won’t be easy for Iowa, certainly, as Gordon has been a beast all season and is fresh off of a 408 yard performance against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Did you miss any of that performance? If you’re a Nebraska fan, avert your eyes.