Brosmer’s three touchdowns lead Minnesota to road win against Wisconsin
MADISON, WI – Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck marked his 44th birthday with a memorable win on Friday, as the Gophers triumphed over their long-time rival Wisconsin, 24-7. After the victory, the team gathered in the locker room to sing birthday wishes to their coach. Fleck expressed excitement for the team’s upcoming ride back to Minneapolis.
Max Brosmer led the charge for Minnesota, passing for two touchdowns and running for another. Wide receiver Daniel Jackson contributed with six receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown catch, while running back Darius Taylor tallied 134 yards on 32 carries. The win gave Minnesota (7-5, 5-4 Big Ten) back possession of Paul Bunyan’s Axe, a trophy that represents the historic rivalry between the two teams.
Brosmer completed 17 of 26 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns, without any interceptions, adding a rushing touchdown to his performance. The Gophers’ defense was also dominant, holding Wisconsin to just 43 yards of offense in the first half and limiting them to only 166 total yards for the game.
Friday’s contest marked the 134th meeting between the two teams, making it the oldest rivalry in college football among Football Bowl Subdivision schools.
Wisconsin (5-7, 3-6) ended the regular season with a five-game losing streak, the longest for the program since 1991. As a result, the Badgers will have to wait to see if any bowl spots remain for teams with a 5-7 record. This season marked the end of Wisconsin’s 22-year streak of bowl appearances, the third-longest active streak among FBS teams.
Jackson’s standout performance pushed him into fourth place on Minnesota’s all-time receiving yards list, surpassing the 2,640 yards of Tutu Atwell (1994-97) with a total of 2,685 yards.
Wisconsin’s only score came late in the third quarter when quarterback Locke connected with Vinny Anthony for a 15-yard touchdown pass. Locke finished the game with 130 passing yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions, completing 15 of 32 attempts. Wisconsin kicker Nathanial Vakos also missed a 37-yard field-goal attempt early in the fourth quarter.
After the game, Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell provided a candid assessment of his team’s struggles this season. In his second year as the Badgers’ coach, Fickell was asked to address concerns from fans about the program’s direction.
Up next:
- Minnesota: The Gophers await their bowl destination.
- Wisconsin: The Badgers will find out if any bowl opportunities remain for 5-7 teams.
