Wisconsin vs. Iowa: Melvin Gordon rushes for 200 yards; Badgers fight off Hawkeyes

This looked like it was going to be a bad game for Melvin Gordon. Forgetting about Samaje Perine breaking his FBS single-game record, outside of an 88-yard run in the third quarter, Iowa had done a real good job bottling him up.

Add to that the fact that Iowa quarterback Jake Rudock found himself getting into a rhythm and what was once a 19-3 lead for the Badgers turned into a 19-17 lead, Bucky was fighting to hang on. After a delay of game, the Badgers were facing a 3rd-and-12 and the prospect of giving the ball back to Rudock.

But Joel Stave found Melvin Gordon for a 35-yard catch-and-run to the Iowa 33-yard line and two plays later, Gordon scampered in from 23 yards out, giving the Badgers a 26-17 lead which would prove to be enough as they held off the Hawkeyes, 26-24.

4Q WIS J. Stave pass,to M. Gordon for 35 yds for a 1ST down

Gordon finished up the game with 264 yards of total offense (200 yards rushing) and two touchdowns in a game that should keep him right in the hunt for the Heisman Trophy. Tanner McEvoy rushed for 62 yards, scoring the Badgers' first touchdown on a beautiful 45-yard scamper off of a read-option keeper.

Stave was also impressive, as four of his 11 completions were drive-extenders on third down, and he added a 12-yard scramble on third down to ice the game. Troy Fumagalli's weird consecutive-catch streak extended, too, as his 12-yard catch was his 10th consecutive game with a single grab.

For the Hawkeyes, Rudock was spectacular in the second half, finishing with 311 yards passing and three total touchdowns (one rushing). Jake Duzey and Kevonte Martin-Manley reeled in those touchdown grabs. The Badgers were able to limit Iowa on the ground, however, as Mark Weisman only ended up with 44 yards rushing, and his lost fumble on the first series of the game led to a Rafael Gaglianone field goal.

Next comes Minnesota. The longest running rivalry in college football is going to have it's highest-stakes matchup in a while. This is for the Axe, the Western Division title, and if Melvin Gordon' is going to overcome the Heisman voters, he's got a record to reclaim.