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Wisconsin's explosive running game was on full display Saturday afternoon as the Wisconsin Badgers dominated the Bowling Green Falcons, 68-17. Along with the 51-point victory, the Wisconsin offense also broke the following school records:
- Single-game record for total offense (756 yards)
- Modern-day (1946-present) Big Ten conference record for rushing yards (644 yards)
- Single-game record for rushing offense (644 yards)
Junior running back Melvin Gordon led the way with a personal-best 253 yards on 13 carries -- along with tying a school record with five rushing touchdowns. Gaining 19.5 yards per carry, he broke the single-game school record for average per carry in a game (with at least 10 attempts) by over 4.5 yards per carry (Ken Starch averaged 14.9 vs. Colorado on Sept. 28, 1974).
To put Gordon's day into perspective, it was his second career 200-rushing yard game, the 11th time he's gained over 140 yards and the 12th time as a Badger he's rushed for over 100 yards. The future NFL talent now has amassed runs of 40 or more yards in his Wisconsin career an amazing 14 times. Against an overmatched Bowling Green defense, Gordon had individual carries for 40, 50 and 69 yards, the latter two going for touchdowns.
Two other Wisconsin players ran for over 100 yards. Junior quarterback Tanner McEvoy broke UW's single-game rushing record by a quarterback, gaining a career-high 158 yards on 11 carries and one touchdown -- including a 62-yard scamper. The last Badgers' signal-caller to run for over 100 yards in a game? Brooks Bollinger against (who else?) Minnesota on Nov. 23, 2002.
Sophomore running back Corey Clement was not to be ignored as well, rushing for 111 yards on 16 carries. He also scored two touchdowns, one of the eight rushing touchdowns on the afternoon.
All in all, Wisconsin had three 100-yard rushers for the sixth time in school history on Saturday. It was the fifth time in its last 18 games that feat's been accomplished.
Wisconsin almost had four players go over the century mark rushing, as converted running back Dare Ogunbowale gained 94 yards on 14 carries. It was the first game action on offense for the Ogunbowale, who played 10 previous games at cornerback.