The border battle between the Wisconsin Badgers and Minnesota Golden Gophers dates back to 1890 and totalling 125 games to date, making it the most-played rivalry game in NCAA FBS history. But they didn’t always play for Paul Bunyan’s Axe. In fact, it’s not even the only trophy these two teams have battled for.
It was November 15, 1890 when these two teams met for the first time. Unfortunately for the Badgers, it did not end well as they were blown out by the Gophers 63-0 in Minneapolis. It would take four years after that first game for Wisconsin to get their first victory in the now long-running border battle.