Wisconsin Badgers Hold Off Illini, 38-28
Illinois' Eaton Spence (27) pulls on Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon (25) face mask during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Melvin Gordon rushed for 175 yards and four touchdowns, Corey Clement added 164 yards and a 72-yard score and Wisconsin held off Illinois for a 38-28 victory Saturday. Illinois falls to 0-3 in Big Ten play.
Gordon padded his resume for a potential Heisman Trophy candidacy with another highlight-reel performance. The junior eclipsed 1,000 yards on the season in just Wisconsin's sixth game, a school record.
Wisconsin (4-2, 1-1 Big Ten) started Joel Stave at quarterback, but Gordon did most of the damage against the league's worst rushing defense.
Illinois (3-4, 0-3) did rally in the fourth quarter with backup Aaron Bailey at quarterback. He led them to two scores to get within 38-28 with about 3 minutes left before Illinois recovered an onside kick.
But Bailey threw an interception with 2 minutes left to seal Wisconsin's win.
The Illini are off next Saturday, but return to play October 25th, hosting Minnesota on University of Illinois Homecoming weekend.