MADISON, Wis. — The nation's most-played collegiate football rivalry started a new chapter Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium, as Minnesota finally snapped Wisconsin's 14-year stranglehold on Paul Bunyan's Axe and handed the home team a 37-15 loss.
The loss marks the first time the famous trophy has left the state of Wisconsin since 2003 and also the Golden Gophers' first win at Camp Randall since 1994.
Minnesota's Demetrius Douglas returned a punt 69 yards for a touchdown, while Mohamed Ibrahim ran for 121 yards and a 10-yard touchdown run on 26 carries for Minnesota (6-6, 3-6 Big Ten). The second half saw UM's Bryce Williams run for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, both coming on drives after turnovers.
Turnovers proved costly for the Badgers, who saw Minnesota score 24 points off their miscues.
Jonathan Taylor, the nation's leading rusher and a Doak Walker Award finalist, had 120 yards on 19 carries for the Badgers (7-5, 5-4). He became just the fourth player in FBS history to rush for 1,900 yards in consecutive seasons by improving his season total to 1,989.
Quarterback Alex Hornibrook, starting for the first time since missing two games, was 22-for-33 for 189 yards and two scores, but threw three interceptions and lost a fumble on a sack.
Senior T.J. Edwards piled up 18 tackles to lead the Badgers' defense.
The Gophers took control late in the second quarter when Ibrahim scored on fourth-and-1 from the 10 with 2:21 left in the half.
A Wisconsin dropped pass on third down forced the punt returned by Douglas for a 17-0 lead with 1:05 left. Wisconsin looked like it would take momentum back after Jake Ferguson made an athletic, twisting catch in the end zone on a 7-yard pass from Hornibrook with 1 second left, but the Badgers were unable to convert on fourth-and-3 from the Minnesota 44 on the opening drive of third quarter.
The day marked a recognition of Wisconsin's senior class, which owns a four-year record of 41-12, and also marked UW Band Director Mike Leckrone's final football game after leading the Badger Band in 50 years.
The regular season now complete, Wisconsin awaits its bowl destination announced on Sunday, Dec. 2. Visit UWBowlCentral.com for more information.
The AP contributed to this article.
