MADISON, Wis. — In an exciting matchup on Friday, Max Brosmer led the Minnesota Gophers to a 24-7 victory over the Wisconsin Badgers, showcasing his dual-threat capability with two touchdown passes and a rushing score.
Brosmer connected with wide receiver Daniel Jackson, who made a significant impact with six receptions for 68 yards, including a pivotal touchdown catch. This win improves Minnesota’s record to 7-5 overall and 5-4 in Big Ten play, allowing them to reclaim Paul Bunyan’s Axe in this historic rivalry.
Darius Taylor had a standout performance in the backfield, carrying the ball 32 times for an impressive 134 yards. The rivalry between Minnesota and Wisconsin is the oldest in college football among Football Bowl Division programs, and Friday’s meeting marked their 134th clash.
Brosmer’s impressive statistics included completing 17 of 26 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns without any interceptions. His ability to contribute on the ground further solidified his position as a key player in the game.
For Wisconsin, the season ended on a disappointing note as they suffered their fifth consecutive loss, finishing with a 5-7 record (3-6 Big Ten). This marks the first time since 1991 that the Badgers have experienced such a losing streak. Wisconsin is left to ponder their bowl eligibility as they await news on any remaining spots available for teams with a 5-7 record.
After 22 straight seasons of bowl appearances, Wisconsin’s failure to secure a spot this year ends the third-longest active streak among FBS teams. It is a significant shift for the Badgers, who last concluded a season with a losing record in 2000.
During this crucial game, Jackson’s performance positioned him fourth on Minnesota’s all-time receiving yards leaderboard, surpassing Tutu Atwell’s previous total of 2,640 yards, a record that stood since 1997.
Wisconsin managed to score their sole touchdown late in the third quarter when quarterback Braedyn Locke connected with Vinny Anthony for a 15-yard pass that added six points to their tally. Locke ended the game with 15 completed passes out of 32 attempts for 130 yards, also recording one touchdown and no interceptions.
In a missed opportunity for Wisconsin, kicker Nathanial Vakos failed to convert a 37-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, preventing them from closing the gap further.
Analyzing the game, Minnesota’s offensive strategy under Brosmer appeared effective and confident. He executed key plays, including a 37-yard connection to Jackson, which set up a touchdown that extended the Gophers’ lead to 14-0 early in the second quarter. Another touchdown pass from Brosmer to Jameson Geers established a commanding 21-0 lead with less than nine minutes left in the third quarter.
In contrast, Wisconsin’s offense struggled significantly, garnering only 43 total yards in the first half, resulting in a chorus of boos from their home crowd at Camp Randall Stadium.
Looking forward, Wisconsin awaits potential announcements regarding bowl opportunities for teams finishing with a 5-7 record, while Minnesota prepares to find out their bowl destination following this victory.