FanPost

The Jersey Flash Will Continue Wisconsin's Elite Tailback Tradition

By Dave-Te Thomas

MR. Elliott, Mr. Henry, you are great Buckeye and Tide running backs, respectively. However after watching countless tapes the last few week, I am certain that the body of work produced by Wisconsin's Corey Clement will see the UW tradition of producing elite running backs to continue. While patiently waiting for his chance to be the featured back, the Glassboro, New Jersey native could be "returning home" next year, as both the Giants and Jets have big questions when it comes to their ground game. Below is a look at what the next great Badger has to offer college football and draft fans this season.

THE NFL DRAFT REPORT ON COREY CLEMENT

Tailback University of Wisconsin Badgers #6 5:10.5-219

OVERVIEW

Throughout the school’s history, the Badgers have always found success when they featured an elite ball carrier. In their backfield, they have produced a pair of Heisman Trophy winners - Alan Ameche (1954) and Ron Dayne (1999), along with seeing two other runners - Montee Ball (2011) and Melvin Gordon (2014) become finalists for that same award.

Dayne added another national honor when he was named the recipient of the 1999 Maxwell Award, given to the nation’s outstanding college player. Both Dayne (1999) and Ameche (1953) captured Walter Camp Award (top player) accolades. In an award reserved for running backs – the Doak Walker Award – Dayne was a finalist in 1998 before winning that honor the following season.

Montee Ball followed suit, becoming a finalist in 2011 before winning the award in 2012. Ball was replaced in the lineup by Melvin Gordon, a Doak Walker Award semi-finalist in 2013, who closed out his career capturing that honor in 2014 before joining Georgia’s Todd Gurley (Rams) in ending a two-year period where no college ball carriers were selected in the first round.

Since the inception of the NFL Draft (1936), Wisconsin has seen 273 of their players selected. Among that group were nineteen halfbacks and six fullbacks. That list includes 27 players who heard their names called in the first round. Among that group were seven ball carriers – Melvin Gordon (2015, San Diego), Michael Bennett (2001, Minnesota), Ron Dayne (2000, New York Giants), Alan Ameche (1955, Baltimore Colts), Pat Harder (1944, Chicago Cardinals), George Paskin (1941, Green Bay) and Ed Jankowski (1937, Green Bay).

While they dominated during their collegiate careers, just a few of the Badgers running backs earned a good amount of success in the professional ranks. Just seven of those runners managed to gain 1,000 yards on the ground as NFL players. Alan Ameche leads this group, having compiled 4,045 yards with 40 touchdowns on 964 carries while adding 733 yards via 101 receptions (1955-60).

Pat Harder ran for 3,011 yards and 33 scores on 740 tries (1946-53), Michel Bennett tallied 3,703 yards on 842 carries that produced 13 touchdowns, in addition to catching 159 tosses (2001-10) and Ron Dayne powered his way on 983 attempts for 3,722 yards and 28 scores (2000-07).

Now, the Badgers spotlight might "shine the brightest" in 2015, with ever-patient Corey Clement about to make his mark. After two seasons of trying to find playing time with veterans James White and Melvin Gordon already established, the Glassboro High School standout has shown flashes of brilliance when given the opportunity to "tote the pigskin," proving to be perhaps the most dangerous threat in the NCAA Football Bowl Champion-ship Subdivision this upcoming campaign.

Clement’s "body of work" is very impressive – not only since he entered college, but also as a legendary ball carrier during his South Jersey prep days. To date, this "scoring machine" has been on a quest to pile up big plays on the way to the end zone. During his junior season in high school, he averaged 30.45 yards per touchdown run, with 24 of his 33 scoring scampers going for at least 20 yards, including twelve for 40 yards or longer.

In a bit of his own version of the game, "Can You Top This," he ran for 34 touchdowns as a senior in 2012, averaging 40.91 yards for each score. He had 24 six-pointers for at least 20 yards and thirteen of them were for 50 yards or longer, including a pair of 90-plus yard scampers. His 87 touchdown runs as a prep player accounted for a total of 3,006 yards, an average gain of 34.55 yards.

In two seasons with the Badgers, Clement has continued his long distance jaunts into the end zone. His seven touchdowns as a freshman amassed 149 yards, an average of 21.29 yards per touchdown. Last season, he averaged 23.89 yards while compiling nine scoring runs. Since first suiting up as a freshman in high school, he has accounted for 103 touch-downs, with 67 of those carries gaining at least 20 yards, including 23 for 50 yards or longer, as his scoring scampers have an average distance of 32.72 yards.

While scoring leads to victories, Clement has also been a tremendous "table setter" at Wisconsin. In addition to his sixteen touchdown runs and two scoring receptions, he has produced crucial big gains that resulted in the Badgers recording 31 more touchdowns and two possessions that ended in field goals, based off his carries. As a receiver, he not only reached the end zone twice, but helped set up three other touchdown drives and two other series that concluded with three-pointers.

What makes those figures even more impressive is the fact that he accomplished those numbers while basically being involved in just nineteen games coming out of the back-field. He only toted the ball in eight contests during his first season and a right shoulder injury limited his usage in three 2014 late season appearances. All told, he has reached double-digit carries in eleven contests during his first two seasons, with a career-high being seventeen attempts vs. Maryland as a sophomore.

Making the most from those limited opportunities, Clement has still managed to place his name in the school record books. His average of 6.99 yards per rushing attempt is the second-best career mark at Wisconsin, topped by only Melvin Gordon (7.79 ypc). In fact, just James White (6.24 ypc; 2010-13) has managed to join that duo as Badger runners with career averages of at least six yards.

Clement did not have enough carries to qualify for the school freshman title (minimum 100 carries), but his mark of 8.16 yards in 2013 (67 rushes) was the highest for any ball carrier in the Big Ten Conference with at least 50 attempts. He then took over the seventh spot on the school’s season-record list after averaging 6.46 yards on 147 tries as a sophomore. That performance included an average of 12.62 yards on thirteen attempts (164 yards) vs. Illinois in 2014, the 11th-best game average recorded by a Badger.

Prior to arriving at Wisconsin, Clement was the featured ball carrier as a junior and senior for head coach Mark Maccarone at Glassboro High School. The consensus four-star recruit was rated the 14th-best running back in the nation by ESPN, placing 17th on the Rivals.com chart. ESPN also considered him to be the fifth-best overall prospect in the state of New Jersey, with Rivals.com slotting him in at eighth.

The Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl selection as a senior, he first ran for 207 yards with three scores as a freshman. The coaches turned to Clement midway through his sophomore season and he responded with fifteen scores and 1,205 yards (7.5 ypc) on the ground, adding 36 tackles with three stops-for-loss in 2010. He also averaged 34.1 yards on fifteen punts, making 25 PATS while kicking one field goal.

Clement received third-team all-state, first-team All-South Jersey, first-team All-Group 1 and South Jersey Times All-Star team and offensive player of the year honors as a junior, as he collected 33 touchdowns on 249 carries for 2,510 yards (10.1 ypc). He scored again on eight catches, amassing 2,622 all-purpose yards. He recorded six sacks among his eleven stops-for-loss, posting 48 tackles, two fumble recoveries, advancing one for a 54-yard touchdown. He also had one interception, four pass break-ups and three forced fumbles to go with ten PATS.

As a senior, Clement set the New Jersey state record with 479 rushing yards in game vs. Gloucester City, accomplishing that feat on just 18 carries that included seven touch-downs, with two going for 92- and 94 yards. He reached 100 yards in all but one game, as the first-team all-state, first-team All-South Jersey, first-team All-Group 1 and South Jersey Times All-Star team and offensive player of the year choice generated 2,323 yards on 191 tries (12.2 ypc), reaching the end zone 34 times.

Clement recorded five appearances with at least 220 yards rushing. He also scored on a reception, in addition to delivering 47 tackles (35 solos). Eight of his seventeen tackles behind the line of scrimmage were sacks and he also caused a pair of fumbles. The multi-talented athlete was a member of the school’s basketball and track teams, clocking a personal best of 11.76 seconds in the 100-meter dash as a senior at the Gloucester County Championships.

Clement originally committed to attend the University of Pittsburgh, but decided to enroll at Wisconsin instead. He entered his freshman season listed behind James White and Melvin Gordon, which limited his rushing opportunities to just eight of the twelve games that he appeared in. He made the most of his limited chances, finishing with an 8.16-yard average with seven touchdowns from 67 carries that produced 547 yards. In those eight games as a runner, he gained at least 100 yards in three contests.

Clement was named to The NFL Draft Report’s All-American "Super Sleeper" team in 2014. With White leaving for the NFL, the sophomore backed up Heisman Trophy finalist and Doak Walker Award winner, Melvin Gordon. He rushed 147 times for 949 yards (6.46 ypc) and nine touchdowns, despite hurting his shoulder that would limit him to minimal action in three late season contests. He gained 100 yards in four contests and closed out the year starting along Gordon vs. Auburn in the Outback Bowl.

CAREER NOTES

Clement appeared in twenty-five games for Wisconsin before he earned his first career assignment vs. Auburn in the 2015 Outback Bowl…The tailback has carried 214 times for 1,496 yards (6.99 ypc) and sixteen touchdowns, adding fifteen receptions for 128 yards (8.53 ypc) and two other scores…Has averaged 22.75 yards distance via his sixteen scoring runs, with seven of those scores going for at least twenty yards, including a pair for 40 yards or longer…Has accounted for 99 first downs from those 214 carries (46.26%), converting thirteen third-down rushing attempts and three more on fourth-down snaps…

In addition to his sixteen touchdown runs, he had other crucial carries that led to 31 more Wisconsin touchdown drives and on two possessions that resulted in field goals…Gained positive yardage on 56 carries inside the red zone, including fourteen on goal-line snaps, as he was stopped for a loss on fifteen attempts and taken down at the line of scrimmage for no gain on sixteen other carries…Among his 198 non-touchdown runs, the opposition needed multiple defenders to take him down on 70 of those attempts (35.35%)…Fumbled once on 214 carries and gained at least ten yards on 41 of his rushes (19.16%), including nineteen for 20 yards or longer (8.88%)…As a receiver, in addition to his two scoring grabs, he recorded crucial catches that led to three other touchdown drives and during two series that culminated with field goals…Recorded seven first downs among his fifteen receptions, converting one third-down and one fourth-down pass, as he had four grabs good for at least ten yards, including two for twenty yards or longer.

NCAA Career-Record Results…Among active NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision players, Clement ranks 42nd with sixteen touchdown runs…Since it became an official NCAA statistic in 1956, Clement’s average of 6.99 yards per rushing attempt places him 17th on the major college career-record chart. Houston’s Chuck Weatherspoon (8.22 ypc; 1987-90) holds the national record and Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon (7.79 ypc; 2011-14) ranks second, in addition to establishing the school and Big Ten Conference all-time records…

Among current FBS players, only Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliott (7.06 ypc; 2013-14) has a better rushing average than Clement…In addition to Gordon and Elliott, among the sixteen players to average at least seven yards per carry during a career, three others came from schools that are currently in the Big Ten Conference (Penn State’s Ki-Jana Carter averaged 7.16 yards from 1992-94; Tevin Coleman of Indiana averaged 7.12 yards from 2012-14; and current Big Ten participant, Nebraska, saw Mike Rozier average 7.16 yards while the Huskers were members of the Big Eight Conference, from 1981-83).

Big Ten Conference Career-Record Results…Clement’s average of 6.99 yards per rushing attempt ranks fourth on the conference all-time record chart, behind Wisconsin’s leader, Melvin Gordon (7.79 ypc; 2011-14), Tevin Coleman of Indiana (7.12 ypc; 2012-14) and current league active leader, Ezekiel Elliott of Ohio State (7.06 ypc; 2013-14). No other active player in the major college ranks has a better rushing average than those by Clement and Elliott.

Big Ten Conference Season-Record Results…Among league performers with at least 50 rushing attempts, but under 75 carries, Clement’s average of 8.16 yards (67 for 547) in 2013 was the best by a league performer since Bob Mitchell of Illinois averaged 8.80 yards on 53 attempts in 1955.

School Career-Record Results…Clement is one of three Wisconsin players to average at least six yards per carry as a Badger (6.99 ypc), joining James White (6.24 ypc; 2010-13) and Melvin Gordon (7.79 ypc; 2011-14).

School Season-Record Results…Clement’s average of 8.16 yards per rushing attempt in 2013 established a school freshman record…His average of 6.46 yards in 2014 placed seventh on the school season-record chart, topped by Melvin Gordon (7.81 in 2013; 7.54 in 2014), Troy King (6.75 in 1982), James White (6.74 in 2010; 6.53 in 2013) and Ron Dayne (6.49 in 1996).

School Game-Record Results…Clement’s average of 12.62 yards per rushing attempt (13 for 164) vs. Illinois in 2014 placed 11th-best on the Wisconsin game-record chart…Clement made his Wisconsin debut, finishing with 16 carries for 101 yards and scoring his first career touchdown on a 23-yard run in the fourth quarter vs. Massachusetts in 2013, as he became the first Badgers true freshman to run for at least 100 yards in a season opener since the NCAA rule allowing true freshmen to play came into effect for the 1972 season…He also became the first Badger to rush for 100 yards in his debut since P.J. Hill ran for 130 yards on 22 carries with a touchdown in a 35-14 win at Bowling Green in 2006.

2015 SEASON

Clement was named the most underrated running back in college football, along with picking up All-American and All-Big Ten Conference preseason honors from The NFL Draft Report.

2014 SEASON

Clement appeared in all fourteen games, but was limited late in the season vs. Nebraska, Iowa and Ohio State with a right shoulder injury…He earned his first career start when lining up in the backfield in tandem with Melvin Gordon vs. Auburn in the 2015 Outback Bowl, as the Badgers started that contest featuring two tailbacks, two tight ends, one full-back and one wide receiver…Named the Big Ten Conference Offensive Player of the Week for his performance vs. Rutgers, Clement carried 147 times for 949 yards (6.46 ypc) and nine touchdowns, as he combined with fellow tailback, Melvin Gordon, to set the FBS season-record for rushing yards by teammates at 3,536 yards, breaking the record of 3,053 yards that was set by Gordon and James White in 2013...Also caught fourteen passes for 119 yards (8.50 ypc) and a pair of scores…Clement not only ran for nine scores, but he also had crucial rushing attempts that set up 23 other touchdown drives and on two series that resulted in field goals…Ran for at least 100 yards in four contests, as he registered 68 first downs among his 147 carries (46.26%), as he converted five third-down and three-fourth-down plays…Gained positive yardage on 42 carries inside the red zone that also included twelve goal-line runs…Gained at least ten yards on 27 of his attempts, with eleven of those runs amassing 20 yards or more…His nine touchdown runs averaged a gain of 23.89 yards, with four of those totes for at least 20 yards, including a pair of 40-plus yard scampers…On 138 non-touchdown runs, it took multiple defenders to bring him down on 45 of those attempts (32.61%)…Among his fourteen receptions, he not only scored twice, but set up three other touchdown drives and two possessions that ended with field goals, adding six first downs that included converting one third-down and one fourth-down snap…Caught 14-of-16 passes targeted to him (87.5%).

2014 SEASON GAME ANALYSIS

Louisiana State…The Badgers seemed to have the game in hand after Clement scored in the third quarter, but LSU kicked two field goals and Anthony Jennings threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to John Diarse to start the Tigers’ rally to hand the Badgers a tough28-24 loss…Wisconsin dominated the game until the sudden turn of events in the final quarter, as the reserve tailback began the season with 45 yards on fifteen carries…He did not get to touch the ball (4-yard carry) for the first time until over ten minutes elapsed on the game clock…He helped set up Melvin Gordon’s 14-yard scoring burst with a 6-yard dash, followed by a 7-yard gain on a third-&-7 attempt that kept the five-play series alive…The third quarter saw Clement finalize a 75-yard, 6-play march with a 2-yard run into the end zone over his left guard, thanks to converting a fourth-&-1 play into a first down just before scoring…He brought the crowd to its feet when he simply exploded into Tigers defensive back Jalen Collins on a third-&-4 carry for a 5-yard first down. Collins had to be helped off the field with a rib contusion that he suffered in the collision and it would be seven games before he would return to the starting lineup…In the post-game press conference, the sophomore tailback was asked on what he "took out" of his game, and he responded, "I’d say we had a lot of strong points, a lot of positives, but I guess our negatives outweighed that. Coming out in the second half, I believe we got a little bit too comfortable with our lead. LSU came back out strong. Can’t really call anybody out, it’s just we didn’t control what we had basically."…On his carries, he noted, "I think I had a fair amount of carries, but compared to the first half, me and Melvin (Gordon) were both getting a lot of touches, but it kind of turned in to a passing game for us. It’s something that we’re not really used to, but Tanner (McEvoy) did a great job. Unfortunately we couldn’t come out with the victory today."…On playing as much as he did, Clement said, "Just coach’s choice. Melvin (Gordon) is perfectly fine. Melvin has his time and I have my time. I just try to make the most of my opportunities."…Clement Offensive Impact…The tailback produced eight first-down runs, as he converted 1-of-1 third-down and 1-of-1 fourth-down attempts, as he had six positive runs inside the red zone, including one on a goal-line snap. In addition to his scoring scamper, he had other attempts that set up two touchdown drives. It took more than one defender to stop him on 6-of-14 non-touchdown attempts…Team Offensive Impact…Wisconsin gained 268 yards with three touchdowns on 39 carries (6.87 ypc), generating 318 total yards on 63 plays (5.05 yards per attempt).

Western Illinois…Clement led Wisconsin rushers with 57 yards on nine carries, as he also recorded his first scoring grab as a Badger, coming in the fourth quarter, as it also marked his second career catch…Late in the third quarter, he added a 22-yard reception that was followed by an 11-yard carry…His 6-yard scoring snatch came on a third-&-3 toss from Bart Houston during a drive that Clement set up with a 21-yard burst through a hole over his right guard…The tailback was asked after the game about running the ball with WIU having eight to nine guys in the box and noted, "There was not a lot of room in there. I kind of saw it from the sideline and what Melvin was telling me, they shot the gaps a lot and didn't really care about the pass at first. Once the third quarter came around, we kind of got a chance to open up the field and actually see what we could do in the passing game."…Clement Offensive Impact…The tailback produced five first-down runs, as he had seven positive runs inside the red zone. He had other attempts that set up one touchdown drive and it took more than one defender to stop him on 3-of-9 non-touchdown attempts.He gained at least ten yards on three carries, including one for 20 yards or longer, as he had key rushes that led to one Wisconsin touchdown drive. He recorded first downs on all three of his receptions that included one touchdown and one conversion of a third-down toss…Team Offensive Impact…Wisconsin gained 167 yards with one touchdown on 39 carries (4.28 ypc), generating 456 total yards on 68 plays (6.71 yards per attempt).

Bowling Green…While Melvin Gordon rushed for then career-highs of 253 yards and five touchdowns, and Wisconsin ran for a Big Ten-record 644 yards to trample Bowling Green for a 68-17 victory, Clement also responded by chipping in with 111 yards and a pair of touchdowns on sixteen carries…The sophomore wasted little time contributing, as he gained 22 yards on three runs, including a third-&-3 tote for 8 yards, adding a 6-yard catch to get the ball down near the goal line, where Gordon capped that 11-play, 70-yard march with a 2-yard touchdown…He converted another third-&-4 snap with a 6-yard carry to set up a 3-yard scoring burst by Gordon in the second stanza…The second half started with Clement breaking free for a 13-yard touchdown, followed by three carries for 23 yards to place the ball at the goal-line, where Clement then took the hand-off and went over the top for a 1-yard touchdown at the end of the 61-yard, 6-play possession…His day ended after the final third quarter series, picking up 23 yards and a first down on his last carry…In the post-game press conference, Clement was asked how fun the game was and he said, "It was fun. It was probably the most fun game I’ve ever played since I got to this school. I think we all had fun as a group and as a unit. Dare, a newcomer, did a fantastic job coming from a scout team standpoint putting up the numbers that he did. He felt comfortable but was a little bit shaky. He was a little bit nervous, but I think he did a really good job and is going to be a great guy in the future."…On the team breaking the school game rushing record, he noted, "You know it really doesn’t come to mind. It’s a great accolade to come across, but as long as we get the W in the end that’s all that really matters. I see this is a record that hasn’t been broken since the early 30s or something like that. I really think it’s cool just to hold onto it. When you leave the collegiate league and you can say, ‘I had a great record and came across another one with a great contributor today.’"…Clement Offensive Impact…The tailback produced eight first-down runs, as he converted 2-of-2 third-down plays and had six positive runs inside the red zone, including two on goal-line snaps. He gained at least ten yards on four carries, including one for 20 yards or longer. It took more than one defender to stop him on 8-of-14 non-touchdown attempts and he also delivered key rushes that led to four Wisconsin touchdown drives…Team Offensive Impact…Wisconsin gained 644 yards with eight touchdowns on 60 carries (10.73 ypc), generating 756 total yards on 78 plays (9.69 yards per attempt).

South Florida…Clement finished with 77 yards on 16 carries and he seemed to get just as much enjoyment throwing an open-field block on the edge that leveled an unsuspecting defensive back, Lamar Robbins that allowed fellow tailback Melvin Gordon to pick up a first down…The sophomore pulled in a quick strike from Tanner McEvoy for a 28-yard reception and raced 20 yards to the USF 10-yard line on one carry to set up a 19-yard Wisconsin third quarter field goal…Five carries netted 34 yards for Clement during a fourth quarter drive that he kept alive by converting a third-&-4 hand-off into a 16-yard gain…Clement Offensive Impact…The tailback produced six first-down runs, as he had seven positive runs inside the red zone, including three on goal-line snaps. He gained at least ten yards on two carries, including one for 20 yards or longer, as he also had key runs that set up one field goal. It took more than one defender to stop him on 5-of-16 non-touchdown attempts. He also kept a possession alive with a reception for a gain of over 20 yards…Team Offensive Impact…Wisconsin gained 294 yards with two touchdowns on 57 carries (5.16 ypc), generating 454 total yards on 75 plays (6.05 yards per attempt).

Illinois…It was a classic performance delivered by the Badgers reserve, as Clement ran for a career-high 164 yards on just thirteen attempts, reaching the end zone once on a 72-yard jaunt, which was the second-longest carry for his Wisconsin career…Prior to that long distance burst, the sophomore broke free for a 51-yard scamper, adding ten more yards on two more carries to set up Melvin Gordon’s 1-yard scoring plunge at the end of that 90-yard, 9-play third quarter series…after the game, head coach Gary Anderson raved about his sophomore’s performance, "Corey has made it no secret that's been frustrated with the inability to contribute as much as he wanted and at the level he wants. You know, Corey is in a difficult position because he is such a competitor. He wants to be a great, great running back, and I believe he is very special and he's going to be a great back.

He showed today the special things that Corey can do, and I wouldn't expect him as a young man to be anything more than a little bit frustrated. If you're a competitor, you want the ball. If you're a defensive end and you're not getting to the quarterback, you want to get sacks and that comes with being a competitive person. And Corey will be excited about his contributions today and he very well should be."…Clement was asked about the balance that he and Melvin Gordon showed and stated, "I took it from him, because he’s taking the majority of the snaps, so I just feed off of him. I ask him what is going on out there. Are the safeties down low pressing? Once I go into the game I take that into consideration, and decide if I have to be patient, hit it hard, and be about my business once I get out there."…On not putting forward the kind of production that he wanted in previous games this season and if his performance today puts those worries at ease, he quickly replied, "I really shouldn’t be relaxed at all. Every game should be downhill for me. I’ve just got to go out there and do what I have to do. I don’t want to be a selfish player, so I’m not really going to talk about my personal goals. It’s all about just getting the win."…Record Watch-Clement’s average gain of 12.62 yards per carry ranks 11th on the school game-record chart…Clement Offensive Impact…The tailback produced five first-down runs, as he had one touchdown run and carries that set up another. Two of his rushing attempts were for at least 50 yards and it took more than one defender to stop him on 5-of-12 non- touchdown attempts…Team Offensive Impact…Wisconsin gained 401 yards with five touchdowns on 47 carries (8.53 ypc), generating 498 total yards on 65 plays (7.66 yards per attempt).

Maryland…Clement toted the ball seventeen times for 90 yards and a score…Late in the first quarter, he converted a third-&-3 run into an 11-yard gain and picked up 10 yards on the next snap, setting up Melvin Gordon’s 1-yard touchdown run that ended a 6-play drive that extended into the second stanza…His cut block leveled two defenders, allowing QB Tanner McEvoy to break free for a 60-yard scoring jaunt in the fourth quarter…Clement then earned nine carries on the Badgers’ next series, accounting 55 yards, as he converted one third-down snap and had pick-ups of 15 and 11 yar5ds to put the ball at the 3-yard line. He capped that 79-yard, 11-play series by flying into the end zone for a score from three yards out…Clement Offensive Impact…The tailback produced eight first-down runs, as he converted 1-of-1 third-down plays. He ran for one score and had rushing attempts that led to two other Wisconsin touchdown drive, recording four attempts that gained at least ten yards. It took more than one defender to stop him on 4-of-16 non-touchdown attempts and he registered six positive runs inside the red zone, including two on goal-line snaps…Team Offensive Impact…Wisconsin gained 311 yards with five touch-downs on 49 carries (6.35 ypc), generating 527 total yards on 72 plays (7.32 yards per attempt).

Rutgers…Wisconsin limited Rutgers to 139 yards in a 37-0 victory that made the Badgers bowl eligible for the 13th consecutive season, as Clement "returned home" to run for 131 yards on fourteen carries, adding touchdown runs of 43 and 36 yards playing in familiar territory back in New Jersey, where he established several state rushing records during his high school playing days…The shutout loss was the first for Rutgers since 2002 and it stretched its losing streak to three games. Meanwhile, the game began slowly, as the Badgers didn't make a big play on offense until Clement blew through a hole in the middle of the Scarlet Knights line to score almost untouched on his 43-yard run for a 14-0 lead with 9:36 left in the half. In what would become the ball carrier’s sixth career 100-yard game and the sixth time Melvin Gordon and Clement rushed for 100-plus yards in the same game, the sophomore’s 43-yarder was also his third run of 40-plus yards this season and the fourth of his career. The Badgers entered today leading the country with 13 runs of 40-plus yards on the season and added two more today. Clement also ripped off a 36-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter before his day ended…Head coach Gary Anderson loved his running back’s performance, telling all in the post-game press room, "I expect Corey to play well every week. He has continually grown as a running back and it was great for him to come home and have a homecoming and play like this. It’s something he’ll remember the rest of his life – going home, playing in a game and playing the way he did."…On moving forward, Clement said, "We have to come out stronger than we did today. There was a lot of back and forth and we can’t have that. We were allowing [Rutgers] to stick around when we knew it wasn’t supposed to be a close game. I am happy we all clicked together and became one beat out there. The scoreboard showed for it."…On the offense’s early struggle, he stated, "You have to faith every time you come out here and play the game. Coach Anderson gave us some positive pointers as to teams that aren’t supposed to be up with us. The way we practice, the way we prepare, our mindset is that no team should be up with us in any game. My thumbs go up to Rutgers. They are a great opponent, but I believe we were sound out there and the results show for it."…On his success running the ball in front of his friends and family, he replied, "I played the game that I play. I can only give credit to my o-line. They did a great job, especially on the 43-yard touchdown. I saw everything shift up front and it opened up in my eyes. I give them all the credit."…Clement Offensive Impact…The tailback produced eight first-down runs, as he converted 1-of-1 fourth-down plays. He ran for two touchdowns and had a key rushing attempt that led to a Wisconsin field goal. He recorded three attempts that gained at least ten yards, including two for 20 yards or longer. It took more than one defender to stop him on 2-of-12 non-touchdown attempts and he had two carries that gained positive yardage inside the red zone, including one on a goal-line snap…Team Offensive Impact… Wisconsin gained 298 yards with four touchdowns on 46 carries (6.48 ypc), generating 385 total yards on 66 plays (5.83 yards per attempt).

Nebraska…After Wisconsin defensive tackle Warren Herring forced his first career fumble, which was recovered by Joe Schobert, it set up Clement's 17-yard touchdown run that tied the game at 17-17, but it was almost a costly score, as the tailback suffered a right shoulder injury…Head coach Gary Anderson was asked by the media what happened to Clement on the touchdown run, and how that affected the team’s ability to use him the rest of the game, and said, "He was okay to come back after the half. The only thing that was a little bit tough there for a minute when he wasn't there, he went back in the locker room for a few minutes was Melvin had a couple of big runs. I felt he was tired and wanted to use a timeout."…The sophomore returned to tote the ball on three carries during a fourth quarter series, but was held to a total of five yards.

Minnesota…Clement, still playing with a right shoulder injury, scored on a 28-yard run on his first carry with 6:20 left in the third quarter to give the Badgers their first lead of the night, 20-17. The heir apparent to Melvin Gordon in the backfield, he finished with 89 yards on seven gritty carries, an average of 12.7 yards per tote…He was also the "table setter" for two fourth quarter touchdown drives, as his 31-yard burst to the Gophers’ 1-yard line set up Gordon’s 1-yard scoring plunge at the end of that 6-play, 69-yard series…He then reeled off a 9-yard gain into the Minnesota red zone and Joel Stave then tossed a 17-yard scoring strike with 4:41 left on the game clock…Head coach Gary Anderson was asked what his plan was with Corey, as the press recognized that Clement was not 100%, but was needed to try to spell Melvin Gordon. Talking about the toughness Clement showed, his coach noted, "Yeah, Corey was good. I joked out there afterwards, he should have fresh legs, as he hasn't practiced all week. But he's done a great job of just working to get himself back in and be ready to go. And that was exactly the plan, just use him as needed. We've gone through a couple scenarios where we didn't have him and we had to use our timeouts to spell Melvin instead of Corey spelling Melvin. The ability for Corey to come in, and not just come in and spell Melvin, but make tremendous plays - the run he made for the touchdown was fantastic. The other one he just came up short. Those were big time moments when we needed him. That's another guy on this football team that steps up. I look back however many years from now, I remember this team in my mind, one of the first things that's going to pop up is how many kids had to step up either as the first year player or at some point in the season to do some things to help us win football games. But Corey was a big part of that offense today…Tight end Sam Arneson was also very impressed with Clement stepping up his game, stating, "A really talented kid who is definitely the future. Corey, obviously, we’ve seen what he can do all season, but maybe not getting as many touches - to make a big play like that today when we needed him was just huge."…Clement Offensive Impact…The tailback produced four first-down runs, as he recorded three carries for at least 20 yards each, scoring once while coming up with big plays that led to two other Wisconsin touchdown drives. Three of his carries gained positive yardage inside the red zone. It took more than one defender to stop him on 2-of-6 non-touchdown attempts…Team Offensive Impact…Wisconsin gained 233 yards with two touchdowns on 46 carries (5.07 ypc), generating 448 total yards on 64 plays (7.00 yards per attempt).

Auburn (Outback Bowl)…Clement enjoyed his first appearance as a starter for the Badgers, as he ran fifteen times for 105 yards, scoring on one of two receptions for 11 yards in an exciting 34-31 overtime decision…Joel Stave threw a 7-yard scoring pass to Clement for an early Wisconsin lead, marking the second career scoring catch for the sophomore. He had set up that touchdown earlier during that drive, as he broke free for a 43-yard scamper…The Badgers' offense, however, didn't really take off until it started feeding Auburn's defense a steady diet of Melvin Gordon (three scores and 251 yards on 34 runs) and Clement…The start of the second half saw Clements spring Gordon for a 25-yard touchdown with a cut block in the second level…In the fourth quarter, Gordon ran for a 6-yard score after Clement got the ball to the Auburn 5-yard line after carries of 13- and 11-yards…Clement’s 43-yard run was his fourth carry of 40-plus yards this season and fifth of his career. Wisconsin entered the game leading the country with 23 runs of at least 40 yards as a team…It marked the second-straight bowl game that the Badgers had two 100-yard rushers, as Gordon and James White rushed for over 100 yards in the 2014 Capital One Bowl…In the post game press conference, Clement was asked how he felt about finishing out during the stretch and stated, "We didn’t really execute the right way, but thank god in the overtime we were able to re-group, and allow ourselves to stay calm and poised. We didn’t want to shoot for the home run because we like to play it safe and we believe in our kicker. We went out and made yards and fortunately they didn’t make theirs."…On how he feels personally following the game, the soon-to-be future starter noted, "I think today brought out the best in me looking at him (Melvin Gordon) and I just want to do better than him. That’s what pushes us. I think this game leaves me with confidence knowing now what I have to do, especially against the SEC teams. I just don’t want to look into the hype anymore because if I short myself I think I will play bad. So I just went out there with a positive attitude, believed in my players and we came out victorious."…Clement Offensive Impact…The tailback produced nine first-down runs, as he converted 1-of-1 fourth-down plays. He had key carries that led to four touchdown drives and gained at least ten yards on four rushing attempts, including one for twenty yards or longer. Two of his carries gained positive yards inside the red zone and it took more than one defender to stop him on 4-of-15 non-touchdown attempts…One of his receptions produced the second scoring grab for his career…Team Offensive Impact… Wisconsin gained 400 yards with three touchdowns on 54 carries (7.41 ypc), generating 521 total yards on 81 plays (6.43 yards per attempt).

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