3 things that stood out from Wisconsin’s loss to Minnesota: The trophy case stays empty

For the fourth time in the last five years, the Wisconsin Badgers failed to secure Paul Bunyan’s Axe, falling to Minnesota 17-7 in a snow-covered Huntington Bank Stadium. It’s also the second-straight season that the Badgers’ rivalry trophy case remains empty.

It was a solid defensive effort by the Badgers, as they held the Gophers to 218 yards of total offense. Despite having 50 more yards of offense, three turnovers doomed Wisconsin, including two back-breaking interceptions from Hunter Simmons in the third quarter. The second set up a short field for Minnesota, and they capitalized with a touchdown pass to make it a two-score game in the second half.

This game was such a deflating loss for Wisconsin. The Badgers built excitement with two ranked wins this month, and a win over Minnesota would generate some positive momentum heading into the offseason. Instead, we are left searching for more answers under Luke Fickell.

Here are three standouts from the 135th edition of the Wisconsin-Minnesota rivalry game.

John Nestor

Nestor was the MVP of this year’s Axe game. Coming into this game, the junior defensive back had three interceptions on the season.

However, in the third quarter, it was Nestor who came up with those two back-breaking interceptions.  In addition to stopping Wisconsin’s opening second-half drives, Nestor also finished the game as Minnesota’s leading tackler with nine total tackles, including seven solo tackles.

Darius Taylor

Minnesota was not expected to be a major rushing team, as it had the fewest rushing yards among Big Ten teams. On Saturday, Taylor was the star of the Gopher offense, finishing with 19 carries for 100 yards. It was Taylor’s first 100-yard game since October 17th against Nebraska.

Near the end of the second quarter, the Gophers faced a 3rd-and-4 from Wisconsin’s 49-yard line. Taylor broke free for Minnesota’s first touchdown of the game.

Wisconsin linebackers

One of the positives to take away this season was the play of the linebackers in November. Against Minnesota, Cooper Catalano had a stellar performance with 10 total tackles in the game, leading all Badger defenders.

Mason Posa also had a solid game with nine tackles in the loss, while Christian Alliegro collected the Badgers’ lone sack on Drake Lindsey. Badger fans should be excited about the future of these linebackers as they continue their careers in Madison.