That wasn't a bad coaching decision at all. Given the situation, it was exactly the right call. LSU just did their job and picked up the 1st down to close the game out. Had Wisconsin's D held them, they get the ball back on the 25 with 1:45 left. Basically they would have picked up 20 yards of field position while only giving up ~15 seconds. And could have used the 1st down and out-of-bounds to stop the clock the rest of the way.
What the fuck am I reading???? This makes absolutely no sense to me!!! 2 carries in the 2nd half for your best player and you "don't know" why?? Gary Andersen has made my list.
------------------------------------------------
When asked about Gordon's limited touches, Head Coach Gary Andersen insisted his star player wasn't hurt, but also had no explanation for why Gordon, who averaged 8.8 yards per carry Saturday night, only touched the ball one more time the rest of the game and only carried the ball twice the entire second half.
"I don't know," Andersen stated. “There was a little bit of a scenario with Melvin Gordon being completely ready to go at half time, but he came out on his own, and he seemed to be okay.”
Gordon still managed to obtain the 11th 100-yard rushing performance of his career and perhaps keep himself viable in the running for the Heisman Trophy.
The junior ball carrier did appear to perhaps tweak his hamstring after the 63-yard scamper. Gordon was caught from behind and noticeably lost speed well before the end of the run, trailing off towards the sidelines.
“I was good," he said. "I was a little sore. Obviously you get hit, big hits in the game. Obviously that’s what type of game it is, but I’m A-OK.”
Whether a decision came from Andersen or Running Backs Coach Thomas Brown, Wisconsin's players and coaches continued to insist there were no issues with Gordon from an injury or disciplinary standpoint.
"Just coach’s choice," running back Corey Clement said. "Melvin is perfectly fine. Melvin has his time and I have my time."
------------------------------------------------
When asked about Gordon's limited touches, Head Coach Gary Andersen insisted his star player wasn't hurt, but also had no explanation for why Gordon, who averaged 8.8 yards per carry Saturday night, only touched the ball one more time the rest of the game and only carried the ball twice the entire second half.
"I don't know," Andersen stated. “There was a little bit of a scenario with Melvin Gordon being completely ready to go at half time, but he came out on his own, and he seemed to be okay.”
Gordon still managed to obtain the 11th 100-yard rushing performance of his career and perhaps keep himself viable in the running for the Heisman Trophy.
The junior ball carrier did appear to perhaps tweak his hamstring after the 63-yard scamper. Gordon was caught from behind and noticeably lost speed well before the end of the run, trailing off towards the sidelines.
“I was good," he said. "I was a little sore. Obviously you get hit, big hits in the game. Obviously that’s what type of game it is, but I’m A-OK.”
Whether a decision came from Andersen or Running Backs Coach Thomas Brown, Wisconsin's players and coaches continued to insist there were no issues with Gordon from an injury or disciplinary standpoint.
"Just coach’s choice," running back Corey Clement said. "Melvin is perfectly fine. Melvin has his time and I have my time."
Rumors going around that there was some halftime drama with Gordon and the coaches. Everyone says that Gordon was not injured. Also Stave was completely ready but coach just didn't want to put him in.
Probably one of the weirdest things I've ever seen in college football. There has to be more to the story that they are not talking about.
Probably one of the weirdest things I've ever seen in college football. There has to be more to the story that they are not talking about.
After reading Badger bloggers and forums, this situation continues to get weirder. The reason for a lot of speculation comes from two things...
#1) A rumor that an LSU reporter heard fighting in the Wisconsin locker room
#2) Coach said there was a "scenario" in which Gordon wouldn't be OK
Now, that statement alone implies there was some situation going on with Gordon at halftime. The logical conclusion would be an injury. But then both Gordon and the coach confirmed that he was not injured. On top of that his first carry he took it 63 yards.
So nothing is really adding up. Because they were up 17-7 at half so it makes no sense why he would be angry. And it makes no sense why they would pull him after his 63 yard run and then claim that he wasn't injured.
My conclusion is simply that the Ludwig (the OC) had a game plan that both Gordon and Clement would get around 15 touches a piece and that he just went with Clement for the 2nd half.
But that still doesn't explain the halftime "scenario" coach Andersen was talking about.
Just very weird. Regardless, some of the worst coaching I've ever seen. Gordon should have got 20+ touches that 2nd half.
