Gopher Hate Week: Decade of Domination in review (2005 edition)

(All this week we’re taking a look back at the last 10 years of wins in this rivalry, reminding everyone of the decade of domination by the Badgers)

After Wisconsin took down the Gophers in emphatic fashion in 2004, these two teams were set up for a hostile encounter the next time around. The two teams clashed as No. 22 (Gophs) and No. 23 (Badgers) in the country, and it produced perhaps the best Badger moment in the history of this rivalry.

Final Score: Wisconsin 38, Gophs 34

It appeared dire for the Badgers, as they were down two scores with under three minutes to go. However, a huge reception by UW wide receiver Brandon Williams with 2:10 put the game back within reach at 34-31 Minnesota.

Then, with just seconds left in the contest the faint hopes became reality. Wisconsin’s Jonathan Casillas would cement his name in Badger lore with this shocking moment:

To this day, that moment is one of the most talked about in Badger football history. However, it wasn’t possible without two huge things happening first.

Let’s not forget that Stocco first led the Badgers on a seven-play, 71-yard drive that lasted 1:17 and ended with a 21-yard TD pass to Williams to make the game 34-31.

Then the Badgers attempted an onside kick, which bounced out of a Minnesota players hands but was eventually recovered by Maroney inside the 10. Without that onside kick happening, chances are the pressure isn’t on the Gophs and they don’t make the critical mistake that led to the game-winning touchdown. 

It’s hard to see how this isn’t the best game on the Badgers side of this rivalry, at least in the past 20-plus years.