Badgers snap 3- game skid, win battle for Axe
MADISON, Wis. — Collin Larsh kicked a 30- yard field goal in overtime to give Wisconsin a 20- 17 victory over Minnesota in the battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe in the most played rivalry in the FBS.
Minnesota failed to score on its first possession in overtime when Anders Gelecinskyj’s 36- yard field- goal attempt from the left hashmark sailed just outside the left upright
It was the 130th game between the programs. This season’s game on Nov. 28 was canceled because of COVID- 19 issues in the Gophers’ program.
Wisconsin ( 3- 3, 3- 3 Big Ten) had lost three consecutive games, not scoring more than seven points in any of them. The Badgers entered the game without leading rushers Jalen Berger and Nakia Watson, top receivers Danny Davis III and Kendric Pryor and left tackle Cole Van Lanen.
“I’m awfully proud of the way our guys competed and played,” Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst said. “There were some tremendous efforts by a lot of guys. This game means something, and you certainly saw that and felt it at the end. Just really proud of the way the guys fought through a lot of different things to get this win.”
Senior Garrett Groshek, who entered with 105 rushing yards this season, carried 24 times for 154 yards with a career- best run of 39 yards for a touchdown for the Badgers.
“I thought it was a tremendous performance,’’ Chryst said. “I [ loved] the way he finished runs. He got off to a good start and had the big touchdown run, but I was impressed with the way he just kept driving the pile. I thought it was a guy that played with a decided heart and put it all out there. It shows you he cares about this team and was going to do anything he could to help this team.”
Minnesota ( 3- 4, 3- 4) tied it at 17 on Tanner Morgan’s nine- yard touchdown pass to Mike BrownStephens with 4: 40 left. Morgan kept the 12- play, 75- yard drive alive on fourth- and- four with a four- yard keeper to the Wisconsin 4.