Gophers chop down Badgers in 24-7 win in rivalry game

MADISON, Wis. — The Gophers were in complete control of the Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe through halftime Friday, but the Badgers gave their fans reason to hope going into the rendition of “Jump Around” at a frozen Camp Randall Stadium.

Minnesota led Wisconsin 21-0 midway through the third quarter, but instead of the Badgers facing a fourth and 15, a late hit on linebacker Joey Gerlach gave Wisconsin a first down. They scored a touchdown two plays later to make it 21-7.

Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck was pacing around the sideline, knowing the door had been opened a crack for the Badgers.

The U then missed a 49-yard field goal and the Badgers were driving when the House of Pain song played going into the fourth quarter.

But Minnesota weathered the momentum swing with defensive stops and added a field goal to pull out a 24-7 win. Players raced to the south end zone to grab the Axe and chop the goalpost.

The Gophers (7-5, 5-4 Big Ten) snapped a two-game losing skid, recaptured the rivalry trophy for the first time since 2022 and improved their bowl position.

Wisconsin (5-7, 3-6) lost five straight games and its rival snapped its nation-leading streak of 22 straight seasons with a winning record and bowl appearance.

Badgers fans booed their team during the first half and exited soon after their brief rally attempt was snuffed out.

The Badgers second-half surge ended when Gophers defensive end Anthony induced a holding call to set back a Wisconsin drive. Wisconsin then missed a 37-yard field goal.

Quarterback Max Brosmer produced three total touchdowns, two passing and one rushing. Running back Darius Taylor rushed for 126 yards and receiver Daniel Jackson had six receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown.

Minnesota extended its 14-point halftime lead to 21 with a 15-yard completion from Brosmer to tight end Jameson Geers.

After its opening two offensive drives went nowhere, Minnesota pieced together a touchdown drive with four plays over 10 yards, including a 37-yard connection from Brosmer to Daniel Jackson.

Brosmer capped the drive on a QB sneak out of the tush-push formation from 1 yard out for a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

Facing a third and 1 on the next drive, the Gophers lined up in the same tush-push formation, but countered with handoff to Marcus Major, who burst round the left end for a 40-yard gain.

That drive was capped with a seven-yard touchdown pass from Brosmer to Daniel Jackson to make it 14-0.

Minnesota out-gained Wisconsin 202-43 in the opening 30 minutes and produced its first shutout in a first half of the Badgers since 1993.