The Wisconsin Badgers football program seemed to reach a new low after blowing a 21-10 halftime lead at No. 23 University of Southern California. While the game ended in a 31-21 loss, Wisconsin’s first half performance offered a glimpse of what was to come in the approaching weeks, especially from senior running back Tawee Walker, who rushed for two of the three touchdowns scored.
Walker got the opportunity to start during the Badgers' following matchup against Purdue after sixth-year starting running back Chez Mellusi stepped away from the team indefinitely due to his health. This left Walker with the number one spot in what had previously been a crowded backfield.
To say that Walker has made the most of his chance would be an understatement. The senior has dominated against every team the Badgers have faced in the last three weeks.
Against Purdue, Walker put up three rushing touchdowns and almost broke the 100-yard mark, hitting 94 rushing yards in Wisconsin’s 52-6 victory.
Walker truly had a breakout showing against Rutgers on Oct. 12, when he rushed for three touchdowns and put up a career-high 198 rushing yards in a commanding 42-7 win for the Badgers.
In their most recent matchup at Northwestern, Walker broke into triple digits again with 126 rushing yards in yet another dominating victory for Wisconsin.
Walker will have the opportunity to show out on a much bigger stage on Saturday vs. the No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions as they come to Madison for a primetime matchup. But Walker is no stranger to the spotlight, as he spent the last two years at Oklahoma before transferring to Madison.
The North Las Vegas, Nevada native was not a highly regarded recruit. He was unranked and played his freshman year at Palomar College, rushing for 875 yards and eight touchdowns in 11 games. As a sophomore, he walked on at Oklahoma and recorded 62 yards on just 18 carries for the season. During his junior year as a Sooner, Walker earned consistent playing time and had a successful season rushing for 513 yards.
Yet, after working his way up the ranks during his first three seasons of college football, Walker chose to transfer to Wisconsin for his last season of eligibility. In his time so far at Wisconsin, Walker has brought a much-needed boost and sense of physicality to the Badgers’ running game.
The Badgers lacked an identity at the beginning of the season — and Walker has helped them begin to find one. Recently, the rushing attack has been reminiscent of Wisconsin teams of the past, and it seems the Badgers have found another star running back after the departure of Braelon Allen to the NFL this spring.
The success of the run game has allowed the passing attack to open up for starting quarterback Braedyn Locke, making offensive coordinator Phil Longo’s air raid offense look as advertised for the first time in his tenure at Wisconsin.
Walker and the rest of the Wisconsin offense will try to continue their dominance this Saturday night against No. 3 Penn State, an opportunity for not just the Badgers to reach six wins and extend their bowl streak to 23 consecutive appearances, but for head coach Luke Fickell to earn his first true signature win in Madison.
