Ad Disclosure
Auburn continues preparations in Tampa for Thursday’s Outback Bowl against No. 18 Wisconsin. The Badgers have one of the best players in the country, complimented by a host of unsung heros.
Here are five Badgers players Auburn fans need to know:
1. Melvin Gordon, RB: Gordon is the name everyone around college football knows. The Heisman Trophy finalist had a sensational season for Wisconsin, rushing for 2,336 yards and 26 touchdowns. The junior has already announced his intent to enter the 2015 NFL Draft, but Gordon is versatile in the backfield adding 151 receiving yards to his spotless 2014 resume.
2. Alex Erickson, WR: The sophomore had a breakout season in 2014, catching 51 balls for 734 yards and three touchdowns. Erickson served as the go-to target for quarterback Joel Stave, the passer for Wisconsin. Erickson doesn’t have great size outside, but he is capable of giving fits to a struggling Auburn secondary.
3. Joel Stave, QB: As previously mentioned, Stave is the passer of the Badgers’ quarterback duo. A junior, Stave regressed after a strong 2013 season, but managed to complete close to 54 percent of his passes and throw for 1,229 yards. He repertoire is founded upon the play-action pass, and Stave struggles to stretch the defense.
4. Tanner McEvoy, QB: The other member of the quarterback pair, McEvoy is the runner of the group. The junior ranks third on the team in rushing with 574 yards and six touchdowns. McEvoy is used in short-yardage situations — he’s listed at 6-foot-6, 223-pounds — and will also come in for goal line sets.
5. Chris Borland, LB: The unquestioned leader of the defense, Borland leads the Wisconsin in tackles with 112 on the season. He added 8.5 tackles for loss and four sacks, in addition to two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Borland is physical from his inside linebacker spot and does a good job of penetrating gaps to stuff the run.
After living in Birmingham, Ala., Jordan left the ground zero of SEC Nation to head south to Florida to tell the unique stories of the renowned tradition of SEC football. In his free time, his mission is to find the best locales around.
