MADISON — For the first time since 2003, the Wisconsin Badgers lost to the Minnesota Golden Gophers, surrendering Paul Bunyan’s Axe with a 37–15 defeat.
A chilly afternoon set up well for what was built up to be a big matchup in one of the oldest rivalries in college football. Wisconsin started slow—a sustained problem all season—and Minnesota clawed to a 3–0 lead. The second quarter provided some of the same, as Minnesota scored touchdowns on offense and on a punt return to extend the lead to 17–0 heading into Wisconsin’s last offensive possession of the half.