IOWA CITY, Iowa — A down-to-earth approach helped James White climb the Wisconsin depth chart.
He joined the Badgers in August as a highly touted freshman tailback but never banked on making a sudden impact.
“I just knew when I came to camp, I was going to have to work hard if I wanted to play,” White said. “That’s what I did, and now I’m here having success.”
White enters the Badgers’ game Saturday at Iowa averaging 7 yards per carry with nine touchdowns.
When his talents are blended with those of junior John Clay, it gives Wisconsin one of the most diverse rushing attacks in the Big Ten.
“John Clay is more of the bigger, physical guy,” Iowa linebacker Troy Johnson said. “(White) comes in, and he’s a little more shifty. We’re going to have to make sure we don’t let him out of the gate.”
Iowa recruited White, who said this week the Hawkeyes were among his final five schools .
“The skill set he brings to the table, compared to John, is a little bit different,” Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema said. “There’s a change in the speed of the game when he hops in there.”
Wisconsin is one of two Football Bowl Subdivision teams with two running backs averaging at least 80 yards. Michigan State, with Edwin Baker and Le’Veon Bell, is the other.
The combined total of 1,356 rushing yards for Clay and White is more than seven Big Ten teams have this season.
“It gives them a nice, effective changeup, and they’ve really used it well,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. “It’s been good for them.”
The Hawkeyes have beaten Wisconsin the last two seasons, holding Clay under 90 yards both times.
“I know it’s been a physical game each and every year,” White said. “Everybody knows each team is very good at running the football.”
On Sept. 25 against Austin Peay, White became the second Wisconsin freshman to score four touchdowns in a game, equaling a feat accomplished by 1999 Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne.
Last week, during the Badgers’ 31-18 upset of then-No. 1 Ohio State, White ran for 75 yards and a score. He leads Wisconsin with 907 all-purpose yards, including 283 as a returner and 64 as a receiver.
Iowa leads the Big Ten in rushing defense, allowing 83.8 yards per game.
“James has the ability to make some people miss,” Bielema said, “but this will be the toughest challenge to this point.”
