Badger of Honor
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Wisconsin Football: 10 best Badgers games since 2010

By Tanner Nestle

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Paul Chryst and Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates after winning the 2017 Capital One Orange Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Paul Chryst and Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates after winning the 2017 Capital One Orange Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WI – NOVEMBER 15: Melvin Gordon #25 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs for a touchdown against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Camp Randall Stadium on November 15, 2014, in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

10. November 15, 2014 vs #11 Nebraska

Melvin Gordon breaks NCAA single-game rushing record

Wisconsin was enjoying a strong season to this point. In Gary Andersen’s second year in Madison, the Badgers were ranked and hosted Nebraska with the top spot in the Big Ten West on the line. Wisconsin started off slow, but Gordon had other things in mind. Nobody, certainly not the Cornhusker defense, was ready for what happened as the afternoon transpired.

Gordon broke a 62-yard run in the second quarter to bring the Badgers within a touchdown of the Huskers. The score was then 17-10 in favor of the visiting team, but not for long. The Badgers reeled off 21 points in the quarter to take a 24-21 lead into halftime. Gordon had 238 yards at halftime, but only one score. An incredible performance was only partially completed.

Partially, not halfway, because Gordon didn’t play in the fourth quarter. His 25th and final carry of the day ended with a touchdown and left him the sole record holder with 408 yards. LaDainian Tomlinson previously held the record with 406 yards against UTEP in 1999. Ron Dayne previously held the Wisconsin record with 339 yards against Hawaii in 1996.

Final score: Wisconsin 59, Nebraska 24

The mid-November victory was even sweeter as it gave Wisconsin the lead in the division. The Badgers earned a spot in the driver’s seat on the way to an appearance in the Big Ten Championship Game.