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Gordon's time in shadows will be short LUCAS AT LARGE MIKE LUCAS • UWBADGERS.COM T he first time Wisconsin tailback Melvin Gordon touched the ball against In- diana — on UW's second offensive possession — he ran for 6 yards on a first down play. Although his number was not called again until the second quar- ter, Gordon broke a longer run. But much of it was erased by a questionable holding call on Jacob Pedersen. Gordon didn't get another carry until midway through the third quarter. Once again, it came on a first-down play, and, once again, he delivered with an 11-yard run. Such is the existence of a third- string tailback, especially when Montee Ball and James White are the running backs listed No. 1 and No. 1a on the depth chart. By the start of the fourth quar- ter, the Badgers were blowing out the Hoosiers, which created more opportunities for backups; nota- bly Gordon, the redshirt freshman from Kenosha, Wis. He didn't disappoint, either. On just six carries, Gordon finished with 96 yards, including a 26-yard TD, his second career score. He needs only 75 more to catch Ball. That was not meant to be an indictment of Gordon. On the contrary, it was an en- dorsement of Ball and the odds that have been stacked against Gordon getting more touches because of the presence of Ball and White. The latter has rushed for 2,412 yards and 28 touchdowns in 35 career games. That's noteworthy 12 » VARSITY NOVEMBER 15, 2012 production for someone who has just two starts, which has been White's fate. Such is the numbers game at tailback. "During the process of being a backup player,'' Gordon said, "you can get discouraged at times know- ing that you might push yourself ev- ery day but when game day comes, you might not get out there and get a chance to make plays.'' Citing the schooling that he's received from Ball and White, he said, "They talk about things like, 'Don't worry about it now, it's about the long run.' I just tell myself to practice hard because it will help me become a better player. That has been my mindset.'' Over the last month, Gordon has made a statement to UW coach Bret Bielema by the way he has not only practiced, but by the way he has run in developmental scrimmages. Bielema has raved about Gordon "playing with attitude'' and "run- ning very aggressively'' whenever he has been afforded the chance to better himself. UW running backs coach Thom- as Hammock demands no less. "Melvin can continue to learn how to practice and prepare and live in the moment,'' Hammock said. "A lot of times when you're young, you try to create things that aren't there. "You have to take it one snap at a time and you have to do it in prac- tice because then the game becomes easier. Melvin has really learned from Montee and James.'' At the same time, Ball, for one, has seen the upside in Gordon. "He's the most gifted running back among us, for sure,'' Ball said. "We always tell him, 'Hey, your time is going to come, just make sure you keep practicing hard.' I told him too, 'You can be one of the greats, if you keep your mind right.' Which I think he will.'' The beauty of the Wisconsin of- fensive system is that it can accom- modate multiple running backs. Very few college football programs can say the same thing. The Badgers can go three deep at the tailback position without creating any ill-will. Each will get coaching, each will develop, each will improve, each will play, sooner or later. Gordon is absorbing every- thing he can from Ball and White, and waiting his turn. "Anytime I need some help or direction, those two guys are there for me,'' Gordon said. "They've been through it all and they have been great mentors.'' Still, there's reason to believe Gordon will also play a role in the remaining games. "I'm never satisfied with what I do; I always feel like I have to get better,'' said Gordon, who has come very close to breaking some long touchdowns runs. "I know I've been close, and I'm going to get one — I have faith in that. I've got some big runs in me, I've just got to take advantage of the opportunities.'' Like he did at Indiana. "Touch- downs are precious,'' he said. Just ask Montee Ball. And he has.