The now-No. 25 Wisconsin Badgers (9-3, 5-2) claimed Paul Bunyan's Axe for the 12th straight year after dispatching the Minnesota Golden Gophers 31-21 at TCF Stadium in Minneapolis on Saturday.
Behind its seventh combination of starters on the offensive line in 12 games, the Badgers regained, albeit for one game, its old form in physically manhandling the Minnesota front seven for the first half -- gaining 199 yards on 35 carries in the first two quarters on way to a 257-yard performance.
The defense contained the Gophers offense, forcing five turnovers which translated to 17 Wisconsin points.