No. 5 Wisconsin runs past Minnesota late for 31-17 win

Mitch Leidner had four interceptions.

The Gophers were gashed by Wisconsin’s vaunted running game previous year, like so many times over the last two decades, while allowing 257 yards in a 31-21 loss.

Wisconsin and Minnesota are set to meet on the football field for the 126th time Saturday.

The evening ended with a coronation for the Big Ten West champs, the second time in three seasons UW has earned that title, on a makeshift stage at midfield with the seniors taking the podium with Chryst and Athletic Director Barry Alvarez.

Wisconsin (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten, No. 6 CFP) turned in a stalwart defensive effort in the second half after getting outplayed early and falling behind by 10 points at halftime. As I mentioned last week, the Nittany Lions take more shots than anyone else (and also have the worst shooting percentage). “The rest speaks for itself”.

Four Big Ten teams were in action over the weekend.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – With a possible trip to the Big Ten championship game at stake, Nebraska fell flat.

Wisconsin will compete against Penn State for a conference championship next Saturday night in Indianapolis.

“No medical update besides just asking him how he’s doing, but nothing medically”, head coach Paul Chryst said after the game on if he had anything new on the Wisconsin quarterback. “We’re a team that never quits and we’re going to get ready for this bowl game”.

“I mean that hasn’t been done here in a while”, Leidner said. Over that span Clement is averaging 111.4 yards and has 64.5% of the tailback carries (138 of 214). On two of the incomplete passes, Wisconsin wide receiver Jazz Peavy dropped passes right in his hands.

As UW’s defense forced turnover after turnover in the second half, the offense finally capitalized on its opportunities. It’s the longest winning streak in the history of the series, which began in 1890.

Minnesota: The rough fourth quarter overshadowed a terrific first half for Minnesota.

Leidner led the team in rushing yards with 46.

But the interceptions shifted momentum.

“It’s always a motivator”, Rutgers first-year coach Chris Ash said.

The Gophers finished tied for fourth in the Big Ten West.

Sophomore kicker Emmit Carpenter put Minnesota on the scoreboard first with a 21-yard field goal that gave the Gophers a 3-0 lead at 10 minutes, 11 seconds of the first quarter. Minnesota’s defense only allowed 46 rushing yards to a Badgers team that typically relies on its run game. Hornibrook would later be ruled out for the rest of the game.

Key Play: Bart Houston has made some throws but made a big play with his legs, scrambling for a 12-yard gain on second down for a fresh set of downs at the Minnesota 38. Ohio State needs a win and a Penn State loss – and even if the Nittany Lions take the East the Buckeyes should be in good shape for the playoff at 11-1. He recalls fondly how the Badgers were able to keep the axe the last time the rivalry game was played in Madison two years ago. One of 13 Badgers to be honored in Senior Day pregame ceremonies, Clement has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career.

Shelton said he guessed that Minnesota would run a comeback route.

“Offense got the ball back so they could go down and score”, Celestin said. Including a touchdown reception vs. Purdue, Ingold has scored three TDs in the Badgers’ last two games. The result was a completion to Drew Wolitarsky for 35 yards to the Wisconsin 22.

Wisconsin: Plays No. 7 Penn State in the Big Ten championship game December 3 in Indianapolis.