Wisconsin Badgers
MADISON, WI (WSAU) — For the first time since the mid-90s, the Minnesota Golden Gophers have won Paul Bunyan’s Axe in consecutive years.
Wisconsin took a 16-13 lead into the 4th quarter only to see Minnesota score ten unanswered en route to a 23-16 victory in the rivalry game, retaining the coveted trophy and leaving Wisconsin at 6-6 on the season.
Graham Mertz completed 16 passes for 170 yards and no touchdowns along with one interception. Chimere Dike scored the only touchdown of the game for Wisconsin in the 3rd quarter on a nine-yard run.
Nate Van Zelst nailed three field goals to round out the scoring.
Chez Mellusi picked up 75 yards on the ground to lead the rushing numbers.
Despite losing the coveted traveling trophy and the stink of losing to a rival for a second straight year, the game did little to change the fact that Wisconsin will go to a bowl game next month. The six-win plateau has become the minimum for guaranteed entry. Five wins can get the job done as well if there aren’t enough six-win teams to fill all 82 bowl bids, with those teams qualifying based on academic progress rates. This year there will be at least two five-win teams that head to a postseason game in Rice and UNLV.
Wisconsin will learn its bowl destination next weekend following the announcement of the College Football Playoff field. The Big Ten has nine tie-ins this year starting with the Rose Bowl, which will take the conference champion or runner-up. With the Badgers sitting at 6-6. it’s likely their bid will come at the end of the selection process.
Likely destinations would include the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit, San Francisco Bowl, or Guaranteed Rate Bowl in Phoenix.
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