MINNEAPOLIS (WSAU) The Wisconsin Badgers will keep Paul Bunyan's Axe for a 6th straight year, after rallying for a 31-28 win over Minnesota. Wisconsin appeared to establish control of the game in the second half, but couldn't seal the victory until recovering a Gopher fumble with :28 remaining.
Trailing 13-10 at halftime, the Badgers scored two unanswered touchdowns and opened a 24-13 lead early in the 4th quarter. Minnesota got back in the game by returning a Zack Brown fumble for a touchdown.
The Badgers appeared to reestablish control by mounting their own long touchdown drive, capped off by John Clay's 1-yard touchdown run. The Badgers led 31-21 with 3:50 to play.
The Gophers answered with their own drive, marching 79-yards in just 47-seconds with two long pass plays and a touchdown run. The Badgers recovered an onside kick, but failed to run out the clock. The game remained in-doubt until Wisconsin's defense registered two sacks and recovered a fumble on the final drive of the game.
The Badgers running game was much-improved in the second half. Clay finished with 183-yards on 32 carries. Quarterback Scott Tolzien completed 16-of-26 passes for 271-yards. He threw one touchdown and one interception.
The Badgers improve to 5-0, and play Ohio State next week.
