Minnesota Gophers decimate Wisconsin Badgers and take back Paul Bunyan’s ax with a 24-7 win

MADISON, Wis. – Max Brosmer passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another to help Minnesota beat Wisconsin around the clock on Friday.

Wide receiver Daniel Jackson had six receptions for 68 yards and a TD catch for the Gophers (7-5, 5-4 Big Ten), who recaptured Paul Bunyan’s axe.

Darius Taylor had 32 carries for 134 yards for Minnesota.

Friday’s game was the 134th meeting between the two teams. The rivalry is the oldest rivalry in the country among schools in the Football Bowl Division.

Brosmer completed 17 of 26 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He also rushed to get a score.

Wisconsin (5-7, 3-6) lost five straight games to end the 2024 regular season. Wisconsin’s five-game losing streak is its first five-game losing streak since 1991. The Badgers will wait to see if for 5- 7 teams still have potential bowl spots left.

The Badgers’ 22-season streak of bowl appearances is the third-longest active streak for bowl berths among FBS teams.

Wisconsin finished the regular season with a losing record for the first time in 22 seasons. This is the longest active winning streak among Power 4 teams. Oklahoma’s winning streak is 18 seasons and Alabama’s is 17.

The Badgers finished the 2022 season with a 5-7 record and a 3-4 mark in the Big Ten.

Jackson’s performance on Friday moved the receiver into fourth place on Minnesota’s all-time receiving yards list with 2,685 yards. Jackson surpassed the 2,640-yard mark set by Tutu Atwell, who played for the Gophers from 1994 to 1997.

Wisconsin scored its first score of the game late in the third quarter when Braedyn Locke threw a 15-yard TD pass to Vinny Anthony with 3:13 left.

Locke completed 15 of 32 passes for 130 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions for Wisconsin.

Wisconsin kicker Nathanial Vakos missed a 37-yard field goal attempt early in the fourth quarter.

The takeaway food

Minnesota: The Gophers’ offense looked confident with Brosmer at the helm. Not only did the quarterback strive to score, but he also made big plays that gave Minnesota control. Bosmer threw a 37-yard pass to Jackson that resulted in a touchdown that gave the Gophers a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter. Brosmer’s 15-yard TD pass to Jameson Geers extended Minnesota’s lead to 21-0 with 8:03 left in the third.

Wisconsin: The Badgers’ offense was anemic and boos rained down on Camp Randall Stadium toward the end of the second quarter. They had 43 yards of total offense (37 passing, 7 rushing) and ran 27 offensive plays in the first half.

Next

WISCONSIN: Wisconsin is waiting to hear if there are any potential bowl berths left for 5-7 teams.

MINNESOTA: Minnesota is waiting for its bowl goal.