Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon set a new single-game rushing record with 408 rushing yards. His 26-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter came with ease and he ran right up the middle of the field without much of a challenge from Nebraska defenders. On top of the record-setting run, the play also gave No. 20 Wisconsin (8-2, 5-1 Big Ten) a 52-17 lead on No. 16 Nebraska (8-2, 4-2 Big Ten). Wisconsin went on to win 59-24.
Gordon’s new single game rushing record edged TCU running back LaDanian Tomlinson‘s previous mark of 406 yards, set in 1999, by two yards. Doing it in three quarters was even more impressive. It sure caught Tomlinson’s eye.That kid @Melvingordon25 bad!! Congrats on breaking the NCAA single game rushing record. #respect
— LaDainian Tomlinson (@LT_21) November 15, 2014
For Nebraska, this must have felt like a bad case of déjà vu. Like the Big Ten championship game a few seasons ago, the Cornhuskers saw this one get out of hand in a hurry. Wisconsin rolled up over 600 yards of offense and scored 21 second-quarter points and 28 third-quarter points as Nebraska had no answers after going up 17-3. Nebraska helped giving Wisconsin opportunities as well with five turnovers, four on lost fumbles.
Heading into the week it looked as though Ohio State had the best chance to represent the Big Ten in the College Football Playoff, but Nebraska was hanging on to a limb with a very outside chance if everything fell into place. Instead, the only thing that fell was a hammer on Nebraska. The Huskers are not out of the Big Ten West race just yet, but it sure does not look good. Wisconsin took control of the Big Ten West Division thanks to demolishing Nebraska and Ohio State holding off Minnesota earlier in the day. The Badgers now look to be the team with the best shot to reach the Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis. It would be Wisconsin’s third time playing in the game in the four years the game has existed. Wisconsin is 2-0 in the Big Ten Championship Game.
Wisconsin has a one-game lead in the Big Ten West. The Badgers can wrap up the division next week with a win at Iowa and a Minnesota loss at Nebraska. The Badgers may have too high to climb to get into the College Football Playoff conversation, but they sure look like a decent hurdle Ohio State will have to leap in Indianapolis in a few weeks.