Melvin Gordon vs. Illinois: Stats, Heisman Impact and Twitter Reaction

Running back Melvin Gordon came up huge in Week 7, carrying 27 times for 175 yards and four touchdowns during the Wisconsin Badgers' 38-28 victory over the Illinois Fighting Illini. The ball-carrier has been the team's biggest bright spot this season and continues to warrant consideration as a candidate for the Heisman Trophy.

Entering Saturday's contest, Gordon was already on pace for Heisman-like numbers, carrying 105 times for 871 yards—an impressive average of 8.3 yards per rush—and nine touchdowns. It didn't take him long at all to expand greatly on those numbers against the Fighting Illini.

On Wisconsin's first drive of the game, the offense was already leaning heavily on Gordon—and rightfully so—as the running back carried a total of five times for 42 yards, capping off the drive with a 15-yard touchdown scamper. Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports tweeted his reaction:

"

You won’t believe this but Melvin Gordon just scored a TD and has 42 yards already.

— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) October 11, 2014"

After two Illinois touchdown drives, the Badgers suddenly found themselves behind by a score. Well, it didn't take Gordon long to make up the difference. He carried five more times on the drive, finishing it off with a six-yard touchdown plunge—his second of the day.

Later in the second quarter, it only took two plays for Wisconsin to reach the end zone again. Kenzel Doe kicked the drive off with a 34-yard sprint, and Gordon took it from there, ripping off a 30-yard touchdown run to reach paydirt for the third time in the first half.

ESPN College Football tweeted the ball-carrier's stats at the half:

ESPN Stats & Info noted Gordon's increased workload on the day:

Adding to the running back's accolades, Eye on College Football tweeted a very impressive milestone eclipsed during the first half of action on Saturday:

Gordon continued his torrid pace midway through the third quarter. After Corey Clement ripped off a 51-yard run, it was Gordon's turn to get back in the mix. After rushing for eight yards to convert a 4th-and-1, he pushed the Badgers deep into Illinois' territory, finishing the drive with a strong one-yard touchdown plunge.

Following the conclusion of the third quarter, ESPN College Football summed up Gordon's day with this tweet:

So, with a big four-touchdown performance in the books on Saturday, how exactly does Gordon stack up against all other FBS running backs? Dane Brugler of CBS Sports tweeted the ball-carrier's outstanding numbers and standing in a very important category:

Gordon's ability to run between the tackles, cut on a dime, utilize great burst out of the backfield and showcase solid straight-line speed in the open field makes him one of the most dangerous running backs in the nation. The clinic he put on against Illinois on Saturday further solidified that notion.

Aside from an uncharacteristic performance against Western Illinois this season—which certainly looks like an outlier at this point—Gordon hasn't rushed for less than 140 yards and hasn't been held out of the end zone in any other contest. Now that's Heisman worthy.

Before Saturday's action, Fox Sports Live tweeted analyst Matt Leinart's Heisman rankings:

"

.@MattLeinartQB's Heisman Front-Runners: 1. Dak Prescott 2. Nick Marshall 3. Marcus Mariota 4. Melvin Gordon 5. Everett Golson #FSLive

— FOX Sports Live (@FOXSportsLive) October 11, 2014"

Following this performance, it could be conceived that Leinart—as well as other analysts—will be considering moving Gordon up his list in short order. After all, Jesse Temple of Fox Sports Wisconsin is already alluding toward a trip to New York:

No. 21 Nebraska is the lone ranked team remaining on the Badgers' schedule this season. Favorable second-half matchups should allow for continued big showings from this talented running back. By the end of the season, we should expect Gordon to be fully entrenched in all Heisman discussions.

Wisconsin hasn't been able to proudly display the coveted trophy since Ron Dayne's impressive 1999 season, but Gordon is absolutely on pace to end that drought.