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 due to COVID-19 issues in the Gophers program.
Wisconsin improved to 62-60-8 in the all-time series with Minnesota. The Badgers have won 23 of their last 26 meetings with the Gophers, dating to 1995. The Badgers are also 2-0 against Minnesota in overtime, also claiming a 20-17 overtime win in 1999.
Wisconsin (3-3, 3-3 Big Ten) was led by senior Garrett Groshek, who entered with 105 total yards rushing this season, but carried 24 times for 154 yards with a career-long run of 39 yards for a touchdown for the Badgers on Saturday.
Minnesota (3-4, 3-4) tied it at 17 on Tanner Morgan's 9-yard touchdown pass to Mike Brown-Stephens with 4:40 remaining. Morgan kept the 12-play, 75-yard drive alive on fourth-and-4 with a four-yard keeper to the Wisconsin 4.
After Gelecinskyj's 38-yard field goal put Minnesota up 10-7 midway through the third quarter, Graham Mertz completed 3 of 4 passes to move the Badgers from their own 25 to a first-and-goal at the Gophers 10.
Mertz carried to 4-yard line on second down, but was hurt on the tackle. Sophomore Chase Wolf came on and, under heavy pressure, rolled left and hit Jack Dunn for the score to put Wisconsin up 14-10.
Collin Larsh added a 38-yard field goal on Wisconsin's next possession to make it 17-10 with 11:30 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Gophers capitalized on field position for their first score after Morgan's pooch punt pinned Wisconsin at the 1-yard line. The Badgers went three and out and Minnesota responded with a six-play, 53-yard touchdown drive.
Morgan hit Cam Wiley on a wheel route to the right side for a 16-yard touchdown to put Minnesota up 7-0 with 2:04 left in the first quarter.
Wisconsin countered on its next possession with a 39-yard touchdown run up the middle by Garrett Groshek, whose previous long run this season was 13 yards.
Wolf attempted his first passes of the season, finishing 4-for-5 for 15 yards. He also threw his first career touchdown pass on a 4-yard throw to WR Jack Dunn in the third quarter.
Groshek, playing in his 46th career game, made the first start of his career became the 33rd player in school history to record a 100-yard rushing performance vs. Minnesota. Groshek also caught four passes for 13 yards.
Gallery: (12-19-2020) Wisconsin Football vs. Minnesota
Dunn's TD marks his first touchdown catch of the season — and 2nd of his career. He set career highs with seven catches for 76 yards, including a career-long 24-yard reception. Junior tight end Jake Ferguson also hauled in three passes for 35 yards.
On defense, sophomore inside linebacker Leo Chenal recorded a career-high 13 tackles, including a career-best five tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. Chenal entered the game with three TFLs and two sacks in his career. He also tallied his first-career forced fumble.
Senior safety Eric Burrell recorded his first interception of the season, and fifth of his career, picking off a Morgan pass in the end zone in the second quarter. Freshman outside linebacker Nick Herbig posted a career-high seven tackles , surpassing his previous best of five at Michigan.
Looking ahead, Wisconsin now awaits a potential bowl game with announcements scheduled for Sunday.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
