Wisconsin 20, Minnesota 17 (OT): 2-minute drill

December 20, 2020
|In Badgers
|By Zach Heilprin

Wisconsin got a 30-yard field goal in overtime to beat Minnesota 20-17 and claim Paul Bunyan’s Axe on Saturday night at Camp Randall Stadium.

Game Balls

Offense: Garrett Groshek

Wisconsin hadn’t had a 100-yard rusher this season and nearly every running back not named Jalen Berger had struggled to find traction. That changed on Saturday as Groshek ran for a career-high 154 yards and a touchdown. About a third of his yards, 49 of them, came in the fourth quarter and overtime. He helped set up a field goal to give Wisconsin a 17-10 lead and then was the driving force to set up the game winner in overtime.

Defense: Leo Chenal

The sophomore linebacker was everywhere against the Gophers. He had 13 tackles, including 10 solo stops, five tackles for loss and two sacks. He also forced a fumble and broke up a pass. It was a career day for Chenal, whose five TFLs were the most by a Wisconsin player in three seasons.

Special Teams: Collin Larsh

He did miss a field goal in the first quarter, but Larsh came through when it really mattered in the fourth quarter and overtime. The junior hit from 31 yards to give the Badgers a 17-10 lead and then from 30 yards in overtime to get the win. Larsh is now 5-for-7 on the year.

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In Case You Missed It

— Wisconsin played without three of its top four running backs, three of its top six wide receivers, its starting left tackle and its starting center. All were out for undisclosed reasons.

— Wisconsin went 1-for-3 on replay reviews. Officials overturned a forced fumble and recovery by the Badgers, along with upholding Minnesota downing a punt at the 1-yard line. The lone call that went the Badgers way came on a catch to Chimere Dike, which the officials upheld after review.

— Wisconsin lost starting quarterback Graham Mertz to what appeared to be a head injury in the third quarter. Coach Paul Chryst didn’t know the severity of the injury, but Mertz was able to come back out and celebrate with the team.

— After the game, all the seniors took turns chopping the goal posts with Paul Bunyan’s Axe, though Groshek had to be forced into doing it. He said he doesn’t really play for the trophies or the celebration, he just loves to play the game.

Inside the Numbers

22-3 — That’s Wisconsin’s record against Minnesota in the last quarter century. The Badgers have won 16 of the last 17 games between the rivals.

245 — That’s how many yards Wisconsin’s current or former walk-ons accounted for on Saturday. Groshek had 167 total yards, wide receiver Jack Dunn had 76 yards and Brady Schipper added two yards.

1 — That’s how many career touchdown passes Chase Wolf has after he found Dunn for a short 4-yard score in the third quarter. He was filling in for an injured Graham Mertz and it came on third down.

20 — That’s how many points Wisconsin scored. It’s the first time since Nov. 14 the Badgers scored in double digits.

What’s Next

The Badgers (3-3) will wait and see if they get invited to a bowl game.