Gordon: Mentally and physically stronger after making decision to return to No. 14 Wisconsin

Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon scores on a 26-yard touchdown in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against Nebraska Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, in Madison, Wis. Gordon ran for 408 yards through three quarters Saturday, capping it off with this run to break the single-game major college football rushing record set on Nov. 20, 1999, when LaDanian Tomlinson with 406 yards on 43 carries for TCU against UTEP. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (The Associated Press)

Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon celebrates with fans after their 59-24 win over Nebraska in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, in Madison, Wis. Gordon rushed for a major college-record 408 yards and four touchdowns in the game. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (The Associated Press)

Melvin Gordon weighed going pro before returning to Wisconsin for his junior season as a quicker, faster and stronger running back.

Perhaps just as important for Gordon's high NFL hopes is the ability he has shown this year to bounce back from adversity and shine in an ever-brighter spotlight.

Gordon ran for 408 yards on Saturday against Nebraska, setting a single-game college record. But afterward he was still trying to forget two fumbles early in the game.

It turned out to be just a footnote during a milestone performance for the 14th-ranked Badgers (8-2, 5-1 Big Ten, CFP No. 20).