MADISON, Wis. -- In the world of college football, memorable plays in critical situations can provide the impetus for consideration as a Heisman Trophy finalist. Take, for example, Nebraska running back Ameer Abdullah, who pinballed his way around the field Saturday afternoon, eluding six McNeese State tacklers to score a game-winning 58-yard touchdown catch with 20 seconds remaining.
Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon watched Abdullah's run on a cell phone as he was leaving his round of media interviews following UW's 37-3 victory against Western Illinois. He was admiring the drive and skill of a good friend. But he also likely couldn't help feeling a bit left out of the party.
Gordon began this season as a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate himself. In fact, the online gambling site Bovada gave Gordon 12-to-1 odds of winning the Heisman before the season, which was better than all but three players. After rushing Saturday for just 38 yards on 17 carries -- an average of 2.2 yards per attempt -- the likelihood of him being considered anymore seems farfetched.
It is a cruel world in which one or two subpar games can ruin those Heisman chances, but it is the world nonetheless. Gordon, who readily admits to keeping track of other players' statistics, said he was disappointed with his performance.
"Yeah, I am," he said. "Because I'm a competitor. But it is what it is. They stacked the box and we won the game. I'm not hanging my head too low because our receivers played well. . . . They stacked the box. They're probably going to do that the rest of the season, so I might as well get used to it. As long as we're winning and they're doing their thing, it really doesn't matter."
Gordon put together a stellar start to last week's game against LSU, including a 63-yard burst through the middle to open the third quarter. But he carried the ball just three more times after sustaining a hip flexor strain. Through two games, he has 33 carries for 178 yards with a touchdown and is averaging 89.0 yards per contest.
Western Illinois certainly made life difficult for Gordon and Wisconsin by loading the box and daring the Badgers to pass. The strategy allowed Wisconsin quarterback Tanner McEvoy to complete 23 of 28 passes for 283 yards with three touchdowns. But it also considerably slowed Gordon, who began the season averaging 8.1 yards per carry for his career.
Badgers coach Gary Andersen noted fullback Derek Watt's absence because of a foot injury was a contributing factor to Wisconsin struggling in the run game. But he made no excuses for the team's performance.
"We need to be better," Andersen said. "We're not going to sit here and say, 'Hey, that was an acceptable day on the ground.' It absolutely is not. We all know that as a coaching staff. The whole offense understands that and knows that if we don't run the ball better, we won't have a very successful season."
Gordon, meanwhile, will need to find some running room if he is to achieve some of the lofty individual honors he set forth for himself before the season started.
Ramesh rises: Badgers redshirt freshman fullback Austin Ramesh earned his first career start Saturday. And the task of replacing Watt was one not lost on Ramesh.
Did he feel pressure entering Saturday's game?
"Yeah, I felt a lot of pressure," Ramesh said. "I think anybody would. I just made sure I handled it well. I made sure I knew what I was doing every play and executed as best as I could."
Ramesh was the lead blocker on several of the team's runs, though Wisconsin struggled to gain yardage against Western Illinois' loaded front. Andersen did not blame Ramesh for those struggles, citing the team instead.
"He executed his assignments well," Andersen said. "I'm sure he grew up. I'm sure he had some great plays and some that he would look at and like to have back, just like every player on the offensive side of the football. So he's really grown and developed."
Ramesh did manage to catch his first career touchdown pass, a 3-yard catch after he slipped out of the backfield uncovered around the right side of the end zone. The score gave Wisconsin a 16-3 third-quarter lead and some much needed breathing room.
Ramesh said he spoke frequently with Watt for tips before the game. Watt served as Ramesh's mentor last season in Andersen's "Big Brother" program on the team.
"I was confident with the gameplan and everything," Ramesh said. "I knew what I was doing. Got in the film room quite a bit this week. Made sure I knew my assignments on every play. Just made sure my technique was as good as it could be. There's a lot of things to work on. Starting out strong is obviously a big thing. I've got to come out here and do that and set a standard."
Quick safety: One of the more bizarre plays of Saturday's game took place before many of Wisconsin's students had a chance to arrive.
Wisconsin recorded a safety to take a 2-0 lead just one second into the game when Western Illinois kick returner Kyle Hammonds stepped over the end line and then kneeled in the end zone. Hammond bobbled the opening kickoff, picked the ball up with one hand and moved backward.
Andersen called a timeout to ensure a review after referees on the field awarded Western Illinois a touchback, and the call was reversed. It was Wisconsin's first safety since a Nov. 15, 2008 game against Minnesota.
"I've never started a game like that," Andersen said. "I didn't have a great look at it. I couldn't see if he got out. The coaches were communicating with me. I thought they would review it. (The official) said they were going to look at it.
"They got up on the ball so fast. They were going to snap it. I was like, 'No, let's call a timeout here and we're going to review it.' It all worked out for us. But never had that happen to me before."
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