It may have felt a little like deja vu for the Badger faithful, as Wisconsin spotted another Big Ten West contender a 17-3 lead at Camp Randall Stadium. Good thing Wisconsin also decided to do the whole comeback thing, as UW used 24 unanswered points to take down the Gophs, 34-24, and keep Paul Bunyan’s Axe home.
Wisconsin moved the series-best winning streak to 11 games, and also guaranteed a trip to Indianapolis to take on Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game in the process.
Next Saturday’s game will be the Badgers’ third appearance in four years in the B1G title game.
UW got it done with a balanced offensive attack, as quarterback Joel Stave easily had his best game of the year and Melvin Gordon broke the single-season Big Ten rushing record. Stave passed for 215 yards on 11 of 18 with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Gordon went for 151 yards on 29 carries and had a touchdown rushing and one receiving to up his season total to 27.
However, Gordon would go down with an ankle injury late as the Badgers tried to salt away the win. He appeared to be ready to go back in after taping up his ankle, but was held out as Clement salted away the win.
Clement did his part, carrying the ball seven times for 89 yards and had perhaps the most important play in this game. His 28-yard touchdown run in the third quarter gave the Badgers their first lead of the game at 20-17.
Wisconsin struggled in the first half to do what it wanted to do, rushing for just 64 yards and giving up 125 yards to the Gophs. However, quarterback Joel Stave found the biggest receiving target the Badgers have had all season long — Alex Erickson.
Stave hit Erickson on three huge plays to keep drives alive, connecting for a 119 yards on those three receptions. He finished the day with a career-high five receptions for 160 yards and averaged 32 yards a reception. Lost in those numbers were two huge pass interference calls that were drawn thanks to Erickson beating his man on deep throws.
UW used those three big first half plays to produce 10 points while down 17-3, and went in to the half with all the momentum, 10 unanswered points and getting the ball to start the second half.
The Badgers held a crazy statistical advantage over the Gophs, despite David Cobb rushing for 95 yards and Gordon being held to 55 yards on 14 carries. However, Gordon matched Cobb with a touchdown (of the receiving variety) in the half to help his team keep pace.
Out of the half the Badgers continued to build the momentum to a fever pitch, putting up 14 more unanswered points and moving the lead to 27-17 with 10:57 to play in the fourth quarter.
The Gophs weren’t done battling for the Axe and the Big Ten West division crown, as they answered back with a seven play, 75-yard drive in three minutes, 25 seconds to pull within a field goal at 27-24. The drive was highlighted by a 53-yard pass to tight end Maxx Williams.
Quarterback Mitch Leidner beat Badger safety Michael Caputo 1-on-1 for the 2-yard touchdown.
But, the Badgers weren’t going to lose the opportunity to play for a Big Ten championship once again. Instead, they answered right back with a six play, 75-yard drive of its own. After three good runs by Gordon, Wisconsin dialed up Alex Erickson’s number on a wide receiver screen that went for 31 yards.
It was capped off by little-used sophomore wide receiver Rob Wheelwright, who’s brother Ernie was a star for the Gophs. He ran a great route up the seam and Stave hit him in stride for a 17-yard touchdown.
It was perfect timing for the first catch of the year from Wheelwright, and his first career touchdown reception period.
UW was up 10, 34-24 with four minutes, 41 seconds to play. It got a great defensive effort on the next Gophs series and forced a three-and-out to give the ball back to the offense to salt the game away.
With the win, the Badgers will face Ohio State for the Big Ten championship game next Saturday at 7:17pm CT on Fox.
(Photo courtesy @ZachHellprin)
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