MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Heading into the first of two bye weeks during October, Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen has a long to-do list to try to get his football team on track. After the developmental work and having his staff spend the weekend recruiting, getting his team healthy is next in line. ”We’ll get them healthy,” Andersen said during his Monday news conference. ”It’s a focus.” One of those banged-up players Wisconsin (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) needs to heal is sophomore tailback Melvin Gordon. Failing to rush for more than 140 yards for the first time this season, Gordon finished with 74 yards on 15 carries in Saturday’s 31-24 loss at No. 4 Ohio State before he injured his left knee on the final play of the third quarter. He did not return, but Andersen reiterated Monday that he expects Gordon to be fine. ”Melvin played well and they (Ohio State) tackled well,” Andersen said. ”I give credit where credit is due and I thought Ohio State’s safeties . did a good job of shoe-string tackling him ”I am sure he’s not overly happy with his production against Ohio State, but they made plays. I thought he had a good solid day.” Gordon leads the Big Ten and is eighth nationally in rushing at 139.6 yards per game. Not only did the Badgers not have Gordon in the fourth quarter, Wisconsin’s offense was without three other starters, as tight end Jacob Pedersen (knee), center Dallas Lewallen (knee) and receiver Kenzel Doe (hamstring) did not play. Andersen said all three should be fine when Wisconsin – which fell out of the rankings Sunday – takes on No. 16 Northwestern on Oct. 12. ”We are 3-2,” Andersen said. ”(The players) know where we are at. It’s not what we wanted at the beginning, but if they keep on battling and keep on fighting, I think they are a very talented football team. The message to them is stay the course. We learn from these situations.” Trailing the Buckeyes by 1 1/2 games in the division, the Badgers this season won’t have the benefit of a watered-down division. Going 4-4 in conference last year, third-place Wisconsin represented the division due to Ohio State and Penn State being deemed ineligible by the NCAA.
Continue Reading: Badgers have a long to-do list for bye week
