Sports
Gophers Make History In Dominate Win Over Badgers
Paul Bunyan's Axe is coming back to Minnesota, and the Gophers are bowl eligible.
MADISON, WI — Paul Bunyan's Axe is coming back home. For 14 straight years, the Wisconsin Badgers have dominated the Minnesota Gophers in football. This time, the tables were turned.
Second-year coach P.J. Fleck and the Gophers soundly defeated the Badgers Saturday night, 37-15. The Gophers hadn't beat their rivals to the east since 2003. Saturday was the first time since 1994 that Minnesota beat Wisconsin in Madison.
After the historic win, the 6-6 Gophers are now eligible for a bowl game.
Find out what's happening in Southwest Minneapolisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In his postgame interview with KFAN, Fleck said he told his team "don't be afraid to be elite" before kickoff.
The team is planning on having a public celebration late Saturday night when they arrive back in Minneapolis. Fans are asked to meet at the indoor practice facility at the Athletes Village.
Find out what's happening in Southwest Minneapolisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Follow @GopherFootball on Twitter for updates.
We’re a little under two hours from Minneapolis, #Gophers. Meet us at the Indoor Practice Facility at the Athletes Village and we’ll celebrate good times. pic.twitter.com/r4JMhuxR6U
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) November 25, 2018
Check out photos and video from the postgame celebrations below:
I had to use my top-secret tunnels but I got @PaulBunyansAxe back to MN in time for the @GopherHockey game. @GopherFootball I figured you wouldn’t mind. #gophers #skiumah pic.twitter.com/UAhlbOQyvB
— Goldy Gopher (@GoldytheGopher) November 25, 2018
15 years... pic.twitter.com/KUtEp7O8Bw
— Jonathan Femi-Cole (@JFemiCole) November 25, 2018
To the University, the entire state of Minnesota, and all of the alumni that have played in this game... THIS ONE IS FOR YOU #SkiUMah #RTB pic.twitter.com/usEBHN0XaT
— Emmit Carpenter (@Mit_Carp) November 25, 2018
The Axe is back. GALLERY : https://t.co/nNKP4MMczO pic.twitter.com/HLASgvT3Im
— FOX Sports North (@fsnorth) November 25, 2018
The most accurate kicker in #Gophers history @Mit_Carp meets with the media after beatin Wisconsin. pic.twitter.com/eD5RwqcGZ6
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) November 25, 2018
Mile marker 99 has a purple sky bringing us home. pic.twitter.com/HFBKJMBvKB
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) November 25, 2018
Photo: The Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrate with Paul Bunyan's Axe after beating the Wisconsin Badgers 37-15 at Camp Randall Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
