Wisconsin and Minnesota clash once again this week, marking the 124th meeting between the two teams. The Gophers and Badgers have the most played rivalry in all of FBS football, dating back to 1890. While there have been periods of domination on both sides, no team has dominated quite like the Badgers have in the past decade.
As the Badgers hoisted Paul Bunyan’s Axe for the 10th straight season last year, it marked the longest winning streak on either side in the rivalry. So, just as a reminder of what true domination looks like, we thought we’d relive each and every one of the 10 wins by the Badgers.
Up first is a look at the 2004 game.
Final Score: Wisconsin 38, Gophs 14
Wisconsin came in a perfect 8-0 on the season, looking to maintain a spot in the top 5 of both the AP and coaches polls. Most of that was due to one of the greatest defenses in Badger history, however it was the offense that stole the show.
Quarterback John Stocco threw for a then career-high 297 yards and one touchdown. He also ran for two more scores. The run game also wasn’t bad, as Anthony Davis went for 124 yards and had two touchdowns himself.
It was about as dominating a performance as could’ve been expected. UW was averaging just 21 points a game on offense, but managed to have that total by the end of the 1st quarter and took a 31-7 lead in to the half. GAME OVER.
Wisconsin was able to help lead the Gophs in to more of a tailspin, as the loss was the fourth in five games for the school from the Twin Cities.
A lot had to do with a dominant defense, as one could expect out of the 2004 unit. That defense never gave the Gophs the chance to spring their 1-2 running punch of Marion Barber III and Laurence Maroney. Maroney finished with 57 yards on eight carries and Barber had 34 yards on seven runs.
After losing the axe in dramatic fashion the previous year, UW stormed to the opposing sideline in Camp Randall and got the trophy back in its rightful home, and little did that team know it’s dominating performance was a start of a decade-long winning streak that still exists today.
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