Just 17 years old, Wisconsin freshman running back Braelon Allen is proving to be a potent offensive weapon for the Badgers. | Twitter
Just 17 years old, Wisconsin freshman running back Braelon Allen is proving to be a potent offensive weapon for the Badgers. | Twitter
A question on the minds of the Wisconsin faithful heading into the Nov. 20 matchup against Nebraska was what would freshman running back Braelon Allen do for an encore.
The Fond Du Lac native was thrust into the starting role for the Northwestern game after junior speedster Chez Mellusi suffered a season-ending leg injury and didn’t disappoint, storming his way to 173 rushing yards and three scores on 25 touches in the Badgers’ 35-7 victory over the lowly Wildcats.
While not a sophomore, Allen didn’t fall victim to a sophomore slump when Wisconsin did battle against Nebraska in the home finale at Camp Randall Stadium.
The 17-year-old ran for a career-high 228 yards and three scores to lead the Badgers to a hard-fought 35-28 win over the Cornhuskers, USA Today’s BadgersWire reported.
Even Allen was amused by his efforts, which allowed him to join an exclusive fraternity that has Heisman winner Ron Dayne, James White and Jonathan Taylor as members: Wisconsin true freshmen who amassed 1,000 or more in a season, the website added.
“Who’s going crazy?” Allen tweeted postgame.
He could establish himself as the best true freshman speedster in the program’s history by the end of the season just by turning in one more 100-yard game to surpass Taylor.
Both Allen and Taylor have ran for the century mark in yards in seven straight games, according to BadgersWire.
No. 18 Wisconsin wraps the current campaign against Minnesota on the road on Nov. 27.
On the line for the Badgers, who have now strung together seven consecutive wins, are a Big Ten West title and a Big Ten Championship game appearance.
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