Corey Clement Runs Wild as Wisconsin Blanks Rutgers

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Melvin Gordon ran for 128 yards and two touchdowns and Wisconsin limited Rutgers to 139 yards in a 37-0 victory Saturday that made the Badgers bowl eligible for the 13th consecutive season.

Gordon scored on runs of 15 and 51 yards in posting his sixth consecutive 100-yard game rushing, helping Wisconsin (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten) win its third straight game.

Corey Clement, who ran for 131 yards, added touchdown runs of 43 and 36 yards and Rafael Gaglianone kicked three field goals as the Badgers dominated in sending the Scarlet Knights' Homecoming crowd home early.

The shutout loss was the first for Rutgers (5-4, 1-4) since 2002 and it stretched its losing streak to three games. It's been a tough stretch that included blowout losses to No. 13 Ohio State and No. 17 Nebraska.

Even having senior Gary Nova (5 of 15 for 46 yards) start at quarterback despite hurting his right knee last weekend against Nebraska could not help the Scarlet Knights.

Wisconsin entered with the nation's No. 7 ranked scoring defense (16.1) and fourth best in total defense (270.1 yards), and it was outstanding. The Badgers held the Scarlet Knights to eight first downs and didn't allow them to get inside its 26-yard line, with that coming on the final play of the game.

On a rainy, dreary day, Wisconsin took the lead for good with the help of a special teams play. A.J. Jordan blocked a punt by Tim Gleeson late in the first half and the ball rolled out of bounds at the Rutgers 20. Three days later, Gordon, who came into the game as the nation's No. 2 rusher with a 166.9 yard average, broke a tackle and danced into the end zone from 15 yards out.

Wisconsin didn't make another play on offense until Clement blew through a hole in the middle of the Scarlet Knights line to score almost untouched on his 43-yard run for a 14-0 lead with 9:36 left in the half.

Gaglianone added field goals of 32 and 27 yards before the half -- one set up by an interception by linebacker Marcus Trotter -- and the Badgers built a 20-0 halftime lead.

The game was all but ended on the Badgers' first play in the second half, when Gordon cut back right after a sweep left was stuffed and outran the Rutgers defense to the end zone for a 27-0 lead. The junior has 17 touchdowns rushing in his last six games. He left the game after seemingly tweaking a knee trying to catch a pass in the fourth quarter.

Rutgers had 81 yards in the first half and ran only six plays in Wisconsin's end of the field in the game.

Wisconsin finished with 385 yards in total offense, including 298 rushing.