Gary Andersen doesn’t know why Melvin Gordon only got 2 carries in the 2nd half vs. LSU
By Dan Zinski
Go up 24-7 on your nationally-ranked big conference opponent in the third quarter and ride your Heisman Trophy candidate running back to victory. Sounds like a nice recipe for success, doesn’t it?
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The Wisconsin Badgers had the first part of that going early in the third quarter Saturday night against LSU, but for some reason they forgot about the second part.
After ripping off a 63-yard run early in the 3rd, leading to the touchdown that gave the Badgers their commanding 24-7 lead, Heisman hopeful Melvin Gordon pulled a disappearing act for the remainder of the second half.
Gordon would carry the ball only one more time the entire game as Wisconsin evaporated, losing to LSU 28-24. Afterward, Gary Andersen had an explanation for why Gordon received only two carries in the second half.
Not a good explanation, but an explanation (via wisconsin.247sports.com):
"“I don’t know,” Andersen stated. “There was a little bit of a scenario with Melvin Gordon being completely ready to go at half time, but he came out on his own, and he seemed to be okay.”"
Gordon seemed to slow down on his 63-yarder, allowing an LSU defender to catch him from behind. This led some to speculate that Gordon might have tweaked something but Gordon insisted after the game that he was not hurt.
"“I was good,” he said. “I was a little sore. Obviously you get hit, big hits in the game. Obviously that’s what type of game it is, but I’m A-OK.”"
The Badgers could do nothing offensively without Gordon contributing. They could only stand by helplessly watching LSU storm back into the game, aided by a Les Miles fake punt gamble.
Handing the ball to an A-OK Melvin Gordon a few times could have helped stem the LSU tide but for whatever reason the Badgers decided not to ride their star RB to victory. And Gary Andersen isn’t going to tell you why that is, because he doesn’t know.