The Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-4) closed out the regular season with a 23-16 win over the Wisconsin Badgers (6-6) in Camp Randall to retain Paul Bunyan’s Axe for another year.
The Elite
Athan Kaliakmanis. With the Badgers putting the brakes on the Gophers’ ground game, Minnesota had to be able to move the ball through the air. Well look out UPS and FedEx, because Athan Kaliakmanis delivers. Making his fourth career start, the redshirt freshman signal caller was sensational against Wisconsin, finishing 19-of-29 for 319 passing yards and two touchdowns. He was under duress for most of the game, as the Badgers turned up the heat and often got the better of an inconsistent Minnesota offensive line.