Top 10 Badger Moments of 2014: 2. Melvin Gordon Has a Season for the Ages
Winding down our Top 10 Badger Moments of 2014 countdown, we have reached our second-best moment of the year. And it’s not just one moment, it’s compilation of moments that Wisconsin Badger running back Melvin Gordon has had this season that makes this so memorable. As to not waste any time, let’s just dive into how special of a season he has had.
Gordon had probably one of the most impressive rushing seasons any Badger has had, and that’s saying a lot considering Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne had a pretty remarkable 1999 season. But the impression Gordon left on the 2014 season will be one many will remember for years to come.
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The 2,336 yards that Gordon has racked up this season is not only a school record but a Big Ten record as well and is fourth-most in FBS history. He’s 292 yards away from breaking Barry Sanders record for most yards in a single season. Gordon leads the nation is rushing yards, yards per game (179.7) and rushing touchdowns (26).
Gordon rushed for at least 200 yards in five games, averaging 265 yards per game in those games and accumulating a total of 13 touchdowns as well. Of course in the middle of those games was probably Gordon’s shining moment in his collegiate career. In a huge showdown against Nebraska for Big Ten West supremacy and a showdown with Heisman hopeful Ameer Abdullah, Gordon ran for what was then the FBS single-game rushing record of 408 yards. He also added four touchdowns and he did that in just three quarters of play. Who knows how many more yards he could have racked up had the game not already been well in hand.
The star running back also leads the FBS with 10 runs of 40-plus yards, 13 for 30-plus, 20 for 20-plus and 40 for 10-plus yards. This is a guy that can get yards in bunches more than I have ever seen a running back at any level get.
After the regular season concluded, many awards and accolades came Gordon’s way. He won the Doak Walker Award. Named a finalist for both the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and Maxwell Award. Gordon was also named Big Ten Running Back of the Year award and Big Ten Player of the Year award and was a consensus selection for first-team All-Big Ten and was a first-team All-American selection by ESPN.com and Walter Camp.
One big award eluded Gordon, however. Despite having a remarkable season, Gordon finished second in the running for the Heisman Trophy and lost out to Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. Although he came up short, there’s nothing for Gordon to be ashamed of this season.
Melvin Gordon is one of those special running backs that only come around about once a decade. This ends up being Gordon’s last season in Madison as he will enter the 2015 NFL Draft. Fortunately for us, we were able to follow a great season and a great career and no doubt Gordon will be more than ready for the next level.
Top 10 Badger Moments of 2014 Countdown:
10. Badger Men’s Cross Country Wins 47th Big Ten Conference Title
7. Volleyball Reaches Elite Eight for Second Straight Year
5. Badgers Win Inaugural Big Ten Hockey Tournament
4. Melvin Gordon Sets Rushing Record…For a Week
3. Paul Chryst Named New Badgers Head Coach
2. Melvin Gordon With a Memorable Season