Sports

Melvin Gordon leads No. 22 Wisconsin into rivalry showdown with Iowa

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Iowa quarterback Jake Rudock (15) celebrates as he runs off the field following the team's 17-10 overtime victory over the Northwestern in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Brian Ray) (The Associated Press)

Iowa defensive backs Desmond King (14) and B.J. Lowery (19) celebrate after King's recovery of a fumble by Northwestern running back Mike Trumpy (32) during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Brian Ray) (The Associated Press)

Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon nearly went to Iowa.

The Hawkeyes will soon get to see what they missed out on.

Gordon, a sophomore who reneged on a verbal commitment to Iowa in favor of the 22nd-ranked Badgers (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten), has emerged as the nation's most productive running back heading into Saturday's game in Iowa City.

Gordon has run for 1,012 yards on 9.5 yards per carry and has at least 140 yards six times in seven games.

But Iowa (5-3, 2-2) leads the nation with just two touchdowns rushing allowed and is 12th at just 18.1 points allowed per game.