Jonathan Taylor Scores Four Touchdowns as Wisconsin Routs South Florida 49-0

Last season, Wisconsin Badgers running back Jonathan Taylor led the nation in rushing with 2194 yards. He was mentioned as a Heisman Trophy candidate from time to time, and got some votes, finishing ninth in the balloting. We are in a century where quarterbacks dominate in the Heisman; 16 of the last 18 winners since 2000 have been QB’s, and the top six vote getters in the 2018 voting were quarterbacks, with Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray as the winner. Not much is likely to change this year, where Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa and Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence are were considered the pre season favorites.

But Taylor, a junior who has rushed for 4,171 yards in his two seasons with the Badgers, may be able to make it at least a three way race. On August 30th, Wisconsin opened its 2019 season versus South Florida in Tampa. The Badgers were an 11 1/2 point favorite, but exceeded expectations with a 49-0 blowout over the Bulls. Taylor, who played less than three quarters as Wisconsin used its bench extensively in the blowout, rushed for 135 yards on 16 carries, or 8.4 yards per carry, and scored two rushing touchdowns. The Badgers had 199 passing yards, spread out among nine receivers, and Taylor led the team there as well with two catches for 38 yards and two touchdowns. Last season, he had 16 total touchdowns, and he’s a quarter of the way there after just one game in 2019.

Wisconsin hosts Central Michigan in its home opener on September 7th. The Chippewas beat FCS Albany 38-21, allowing just 45 rushing yards. It’s safe to say that Central Michigan will have a much tougher time shutting down Taylor.