Gordon runs for 175 yards and 4TDs, Wisconsin holds Illinois for 38-28 win

Illinois's 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) (The Associated Press)

Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon (25) runs past Illinois's Eaton Spence on a touchdown run during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis) (The Associated Press)

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.

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.