IOWA CITY, Iowa — Wisconsin quarterback Joel Stave completed a 35-yard pass to running back Melvin Gordon on third-and-12, leading to the game-deciding touchdown and completing a 26-24 victory over Iowa on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium.
With a delayed blitzing safety in his face, Stave lofted a short pass to Gordon, who burst through the Iowadefense and sprinted to the Hawkeyes’ 33. Two plays later, Gordon blasted off left tackle for a 23-yard touchdown scamper to give No. 16 Wisconsin a 26-17 lead.
Gordon, who finished with 200 yards rushing and 64 yards receiving, became just the second Wisconsinplayer to eclipse 2,000 yards rushing in a season. He’s now tied with former Wisconsin running backRon Dayne
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for both the school and Big Ten season record.Dayne had 2,109 yards in 1996, the same as Gordon this year. Gordon rushed for 408 yards last week against Nebraska, then an NCAA record. Oklahoma running back Samaje Perine rushed for 427 yards on Saturday.
But it hardly was easy for the Badgers (9-2, 6-1), who will play Minnesota (8-3, 5-2) for the Big Ten West Division title next Saturday.
Gordon scampered 88 yards to lead Wisconsin to a field goal for a 19-3 lead with 5:33 left in the third quarter.
Iowa (7-4, 4-3) then mounted a furious comeback attempt on three consecutive drives.
The Hawkeyes drove 70 yards in seven plays, culminating in a 20-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Jake Rudock to wide receiver Kevonte Martin-Manley to give the Hawkeyes their first touchdown. Running back Jordan Canzeri followed with a two-point conversion run to cut Iowa‘s deficit to 19-11.
Wisconsin punted on fourth-and-inches on its next drive.
Rudock immediately connected on a 28-yard pass to wide receiver Matt VandeBerg on the first play, then hit tight end Jake Duzey for 33 on the next play. On third-and-6 from the Wisconsin 17, Wisconsincornerback Darius Hillary was called for pass interference in the end zone on Iowa wide receiver Tevaun Smith.
Two plays later, Rudock rushed in from the 3-yard line to move Iowa within 19-17. Iowa‘s two-point conversion pass failed.
After Gordon’s touchdown put the Badgers up 26-17, Iowa stormed back. Rudock twice scrambled for first downs and completed three of four passes, including the last one for 9 yards to Duzey for a touchdown. That brought the Hawkeyes within 26-24 with 5:01 left.
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But the Hawkeyes couldn’t get the Badgers off the field. Wisconsin took over at its 25. After converting a first down early in the possession, Stave rushed for 12 yards on third-and-8 to seal the win.
Rudock finished 20 of 30 for 300 yards and two touchdowns. Stave completed 11 of 14 passes for 139 yards.
NOTES: Former Iowa defensive back Paul Krause (1961-1963), the NFL’s career leader in interceptions, served as the honorary team captain. … The game was the 88th edition in the border rivalry, which began in 1894. Wisconsin leads the series 44-42-2. … Wisconsin has played three straight games in Iowa City, the only time in the series a team had played at one location more than twice consecutively. … The teams compete for the Heartland Trophy, which Wisconsin retained for the third straight time.