Top 10 Big Ten Running Backs Entering the 2015 College Football Season
Nov 16, 2013; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Corey Clement (6) rushes for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 51-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Think he can’t continue what was done by Gordon? Consider that as the certified backup last year he still managed to rush for 949 yards on 147 carries and nine touchdowns, averaging six and a half yards per carry. Not enough? He also had 14 receptions for 119 yards and two touchdowns.
Critics might point out that Wisconsin always produces great running backs because of their great offensive lines. What is lost, though, is the Badgers had absolutely no help in the passing game for a large part of the season last year, and Clement still put up those numbers as a backup.
There was no help not only at quarterback, but mostly at receiver as well. So teams were stacking the line, even when Clement was in, and he still managed more than six yards per carry and nearly 1,000 yards as a backup, while his starter went over 2,000 yards.
With the reigns handed over to him as the full-time starter going into this year, and with Paul Chryst back in the mix at Wisconsin, Clement’s got a lot to be excited about this year. Wisconsin’s running game is not going anywhere despite the loss of Gordon.
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Corey Clement
Junior, Wisconsin Badgers
Melvin Gordon earned all the hype as the running back for the Wisconsin Badgers after rushing for more than 2,000 yards on the year and more than 400 yards in a game. But waiting in the wings to take over after he left has been Corey Clement.
And it is now Clement’s turn to shine.
Think he can’t continue what was done by Gordon? Consider that as the certified backup last year he still managed to rush for 949 yards on 147 carries and nine touchdowns, averaging six and a half yards per carry. Not enough? He also had 14 receptions for 119 yards and two touchdowns.
Critics might point out that Wisconsin always produces great running backs because of their great offensive lines. What is lost, though, is the Badgers had absolutely no help in the passing game for a large part of the season last year, and Clement still put up those numbers as a backup.
There was no help not only at quarterback, but mostly at receiver as well. So teams were stacking the line, even when Clement was in, and he still managed more than six yards per carry and nearly 1,000 yards as a backup, while his starter went over 2,000 yards.
With the reigns handed over to him as the full-time starter going into this year, and with Paul Chryst back in the mix at Wisconsin, Clement’s got a lot to be excited about this year. Wisconsin’s running game is not going anywhere despite the loss of Gordon.
Next: Ezekiel Elliott