On Saturday, Melvin Gordon broke LaDainian Tomlinson's record for rushing yards in a game. But there's more to it that meets the eye. This is the play by play for Gordon's runs. Each number is number of rushing yards.
First Quarter
NEB 0 WIS 0
-1
NEB 3 WIS 0
3
NEB 10 WIS 0
5
42
NEB 10 WIS 3
1
-1 (lost fumble)
Second Quarter
NEB 17 WIS 3
2
2
62 (touchdown)
NEB 17 WIS 10
8
3
16 (lost fumble)
39
NEB 17 WIS 17
44
9
4
Third Quarter
NEB 17 WIS 24
9
4
43
1 (touchdown)
NEB 17 WIS 31
68
6 (touchdown)
NEB 17 WIS 38
7
6
NEB 17 WIS 45
26 (touchdown)
There it is. That's how you have the greatest game for a college running back ever.
A couple things to look at.
1. Two lost fumbles. Against a ranked opponent that's enough to lose you the game or get you benched. Not here.
2. Nebraska was up 17-3 in the 2nd quarter. On 3rd and 6, the Badger QB converts a first down. If that doesn't happen, the drive is over and Gordon can't run for 62 on the next play. If they give the ball back to the Huskers there and they go up 24-3, maybe there's not as many rushing opportunities...it's a bit of a stretch to say that Wisconsin would abandon the run considering their identity, but down big most teams don't run as much as they do normally.
3. He had two carries, and then they were down 10-0. There's often a lot of out of one player's hands.
4. He had exactly one run that gained between 10-25 yards and he lost a fumble on it. He had 7 carries for 25+. If you let him get 10, he was gone.
5. 2nd and 3rd string running backs averaged 6 and 9 yards per carry, bringing the team average per carry down to 11 yards.
6. His 1-yard touchdown and 6-yard touchdown brought down his average. Without those touchdown, he averaged 17.4 yards per carry.
7. Oh yeah, and Nebraska has a good run defense (well, had) and Gordon only played three quarters. Truly historic.
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