Wisconsin Football: 3 takeaways from Badgers’ win over Purdue

1. Jonathan Taylor is a Heisman Trophy candiate

True freshman running back Jonathan Taylor ended Saturday’s game against Purdue just 14 yards shy of a record-breaking season.

Needing 233 yards entering the game, Taylor finished with another monster performance putting up 219 yards on the ground and another touchdown. He had 75 yards on the opening drive of the game, including a 67-yard touchdown run on the third play of the game.

The 233 yards would have gotten Taylor to 1,000 yards on the season, which would have made him the first true freshman in FBS history to reach the thousand yard mark in just six games. There are five players — including Adrian Peterson, Marshal Faulk and Emmitt Smith — that have reached that mark, all happening in their first seven games. At 14 yards short, there is a very high chance Taylor will tie the record next week and join great company as the Badgers take on Maryland.

The main conversation that should come out of Taylor’s performance is him regarding the Heisman Trophy race. Up to this point, Taylor’s season has not yet been discussed on a national level, whereas his conference counterpart, Penn State back Saquon Barkley — who is two places behind him in rushing in the conference, is first on many people’s ballots.

No disrespect to Barkley of course, but with his third 200-yard performance of the season, it only makes sense that Taylor is getting the respect many of which those with similar seasons thus far are receiving.

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Taylor and the Badgers will stay at home next weekend as they welcome in the Maryland Terrapins on Homecoming Weekend to Madison.