Minnesota–Wisconsin football rivalry

The Minnesota–Wisconsin football rivalry is an American college football rivalry between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Wisconsin Badgers. It is the most-played rivalry in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, with 129 meetings between the two teams. The winner of the game receives Paul Bunyan's Axe, a tradition that started in 1948 after the first trophy, the Slab of Bacon, disappeared after the 1943 game when the Badgers were meant to turn it over to the Golden Gophers. Minnesota and Wisconsin first played in 1890 and have met every year since, except for 1906. Wisconsin leads the series 61–60–8 through 2019. [1] Wisconsin took the series lead for the first time after defeating Minnesota 31–0 in the 2017 game; Minnesota had led the overall series since 1902, at times by as many as 20 games.

Minnesota–Wisconsin football rivalry
First meetingNovember 15, 1890
Minnesota 63, Wisconsin 0
Latest meetingNovember 30, 2019
#12 Wisconsin 38, #8 Minnesota 17
Next meetingSeptember 26, 2020
TrophyPaul Bunyan's Axe (current)
Slab of Bacon (former)
Statistics
Meetings total129
All-time seriesWisconsin leads, 61–60–8 (.504)
Trophy seriesWisconsin leads, 44-25-3 (.632)
Largest victoryMinnesota, 63–0 (1890)
Longest win streakWisconsin, 14 (2004–2017)
Current win streakWisconsin, 1 (2019–present)
Locations of Minnesota and Wisconsin

History

The rivalry was first played in 1890 on Minnesota's campus, in Minneapolis, resulting in a 63–0 Minnesota victory. Theron Lyman led Wisconsin to its first win over Minnesota in 1894. The game became a conference rivalry with the creation of the Western Conference (later the Big Ten Conference) in 1896. In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt suspended college football rivalry games for safety concerns, due to player injuries and fatalities on the field. It is, to date, the only time that the two teams have not played each other.[2][3] It has been uninterrupted since then, currently making it the longest uninterrupted rivalry in FBS Division 1 college football.

From 1933 to 1982, it was traditionally the final game of the regular season for both schools. It has resumed being a season finale as of 2014, following the Big Ten's new divisional alignment and schedule for the final weekend of conference play. The Big Ten has decided that it will not be the regular season finale during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, but it will return to its place as the final game of the season for both teams in 2022.

Minnesota vs. Wisconsin, Randall Field, 1903

The 2014 and 2019 games decided the Big Ten West champion; Wisconsin defeated Minnesota 34–24 to go to the 2014 Big Ten Football Championship Game against Ohio State. In 2019, Wisconsin defeated Minnesota 38–17 to go to the 2019 Big Ten Football Championship Game against Ohio State. The last time the rivalry determined a Big Ten Conference champion was in 1962 when #3 Wisconsin defeated #5 Minnesota for a berth to the 1963 Rose Bowl.[4]

Wisconsin won 14 straight meetings against Minnesota, from 2004 to 2017, before the Gophers beat the Badgers in their 2018 matchup. It ended the longest losing streak for either team in the history of the rivalry.[5]

Trophies

Slab of Bacon

The rivalry's first trophy was the "Slab of Bacon", in use from 1930 to 1943. Created by R. B. Fouch of Minneapolis, it is a piece of black walnut wood with a football at the center bearing a letter that becomes "M" or "W" depending on which way the trophy is hung. The word "BACON" is carved at both ends, implying that the winner has "brought home the bacon." The trophy's tenure ended when Minnesota's 1943 victory in Minnesota led to the fans rushing the field. Wisconsin student Peg Watrous was to bring the trophy to a Minnesota representative after the game, but could not find her in the commotion, and subsequently lost track of the "bacon".[6][7] Reportedly, the trophy was sent to Minnesota's locker room, but coach George Hauser refused it, suggesting such traditions be held off until after World War II.[8] It was subsequently lost; a new trophy, "Paul Bunyan's Axe", was introduced in 1948.[8]

The trophy was "lost" for over 50 years. In 1992, Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez joked that "we took home the bacon, and kept it."[9] In 1994, Wisconsin intern Will Roleson found it in an old storage closet at Camp Randall Stadium. It had evidently been maintained for some time, as game scores through 1970 were painted on the back. It is now displayed at the Camp Randall Stadium football offices.[6]

Trophy record: Minnesota, 11–3 (.786)

Paul Bunyan's Axe

Badgers celebrating their win by carrying Paul Bunyan's Axe around Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium after the 2009 game
Golden Gophers celebrate the end of the Badger's streak at Camp Randall

The Paul Bunyan Axe was created by the Wisconsin letterwinners' organization (the National W Club) and would be instituted as the trophy in the series in 1948. The scores of each game are recorded on the axe's handle, which is 6 feet long. A new axe was created in 2000. The original axe was donated to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003.[10]

Until 2014, when the game ended, if the team holding the trophy won, they would run to their own sideline, take the axe and carry it around the field and "chop down" one or both goal posts.[11][12][13][14][15] If the team not holding the axe won, they were allowed to run to their opponents' sideline and "steal" the axe. The tradition was changed in 2014, with the Axe now kept off the field until the game is over. This change was in response to a near skirmish in 2013 in which the Minnesota players surrounded their goal post and would not permit the Wisconsin players to ceremonially chop it down.[16] The usual tradition was restored in 2015, with Wisconsin winning again 31–21.[17]

Trophy record: Wisconsin, 44–25–3 (.632) [Through 2019]

Accomplishments by the two rivals

TeamMinnesota[18]Wisconsin[19]
Claimed national titles[20][21]71
Unclaimed national titles[22][23]03
Bowl appearances [24][25]2031
Postseason bowl record8–1216–14
BCS bowl appearances05
CFP playoff appearances00
CFP NY6 bowl appearances*03
Rose Bowl Game appearances210
Rose Bowl Game record1–13–7
Division titles[26]05
Conference titles20 (2 IAAN)14
Consensus All-America players[27][28]2832
Heisman Trophy winners[29]12
All-time program record673–506–42715–496–53
All-time win percentage.568.587

* CFP bowl games include the Cotton Bowl Classic, Fiesta Bowl, Orange Bowl, Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game, and Sugar Bowl, when not hosting a semi-final playoff game.

Game results

Minnesota victoriesWisconsin victoriesTie games
No.DateLocationWinning teamLosing teamScore
1 November 15, 1890 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 63–0
2 October 24, 1891 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 26–12
3 October 29, 1892 Madison, WI Minnesota Wisconsin 32–4
4 November 16, 1893 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 40–0
5 November 17, 1894 Madison, WI Wisconsin Minnesota 6–0
6 November 16, 1895 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 14–10
7 November 21, 1896 Madison, WI Wisconsin Minnesota 6–0
8 October 30, 1897 Minneapolis, MN Wisconsin Minnesota 39–0
9 October 29, 1898 Madison, WI Wisconsin Minnesota 29–0
10 November 18, 1899 Minneapolis, MN Wisconsin Minnesota 19–0
11 November 3, 1900 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 6–5
12 November 16, 1901 Madison, WI Wisconsin Minnesota 18–0
13 November 15, 1902 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 11–0
14 November 26, 1903 Madison, WI Minnesota Wisconsin 17–0
15 November 12, 1904 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 28–0
16 November 4, 1905 Minneapolis, MN Wisconsin Minnesota 16–12
17 November 23, 1907 Madison, WI Tie17–17
18 November 7, 1908 Minneapolis, MN Wisconsin Minnesota 5–0
19 November 13, 1909 Madison, WI Minnesota Wisconsin 34–6
20 November 12, 1910 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 28–0
21 November 18, 1911 Madison, WI Tie6–6
22 November 16, 1912 Minneapolis, MN Wisconsin Minnesota 14–0
23 November 1, 1913 Madison, WI Minnesota Wisconsin 21–3
24 November 14, 1914 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 14–3
25 November 20, 1915 Madison, WI Minnesota Wisconsin 20–3
26 November 18, 1916 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 54–0
27 November 3, 1917 Madison, WI Wisconsin Minnesota 10–7
28 November 16, 1918 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 6–0
29 November 1, 1919 Madison, WI Minnesota Wisconsin 19–7
30 November 6, 1920 Minneapolis, MN Wisconsin Minnesota 3–0
31 October 29, 1921 Madison, WI Wisconsin Minnesota 35–0
32 November 4, 1922 Minneapolis, MN Wisconsin Minnesota 14–0
33 October 27, 1923 Madison, WI Tie0–0
34 October 18, 1924 Madison, WI Tie7–7
35 October 31, 1925 Minneapolis, MN Tie12–12
36 October 30, 1926 Madison, WI Minnesota Wisconsin 16–10
37 October 29, 1927 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 13–7
38 November 24, 1928 Madison, WI Minnesota Wisconsin 6–0
39 November 23, 1929 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 13–12
40 November 22, 1930 Madison, WI Wisconsin Minnesota 14–0
41 October 31, 1931 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 14–0
42 November 12, 1932 Madison, WI Wisconsin Minnesota 20–13
43 November 25, 1933 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 6–3
44 November 24, 1934 Madison, WI Minnesota Wisconsin 34–0
45 November 25, 1935 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 33–7
46 November 21, 1936 Madison, WI #2 Minnesota Wisconsin 24–0
47 November 20, 1937 Minneapolis, MN #7 Minnesota Wisconsin 13–6
48 November 19, 1938 Madison, WI Minnesota #12 Wisconsin 21–0
49 November 25, 1939 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 23–6
50 November 23, 1940 Madison, WI #1 Minnesota Wisconsin 22–13
51 November 22, 1941 Minneapolis, MN #1 Minnesota Wisconsin 41–6
52 November 21, 1942 Madison, WI #7 Wisconsin #10 Minnesota 20–6
53 November 20, 1943 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 25–13
54 November 25, 1944 Madison, WI Minnesota Wisconsin 28–26
55 November 24, 1945 Minneapolis, MN Wisconsin Minnesota 26–12
56 November 23, 1946 Madison, WI Minnesota Wisconsin 6–0
57 November 22, 1947 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 21–0
58 November 20, 1948 Madison, WI #15 Minnesota Wisconsin 16–0
59 November 19, 1949 Minneapolis, MN #8 Minnesota Wisconsin 14–6
60 November 25, 1950 Madison, WI Wisconsin Minnesota 14–0
61 November 24, 1951 Minneapolis, MN #8 Wisconsin Minnesota 30–6
62 November 22, 1952 Madison, WI Tie21–21
63 November 21, 1953 Minneapolis, MN Tie21–21
64 November 20, 1954 Madison, WI #17 Wisconsin #10 Minnesota 27–0
65 November 19, 1955 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 21–6
66 November 24, 1956 Madison, WI Tie13–13
No.DateLocationWinning teamLosing teamScore
67 November 23, 1957 Minneapolis, MN #18 Wisconsin Minnesota 14–6
68 November 22, 1958 Madison, WI Wisconsin Minnesota 27–12
69 November 21, 1959 Minneapolis, MN #9 Wisconsin Minnesota 11–7
70 November 19, 1960 Madison, WI #4 Minnesota Wisconsin 26–7
71 November 25, 1961 Minneapolis, MN Wisconsin #3 Minnesota 23–21
72 November 24, 1962 Madison, WI #3 Wisconsin #5 Minnesota 14–9
73 November 28, 1963 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 14–0
74 November 21, 1964 Madison, WI Wisconsin Minnesota 14–7
75 November 20, 1965 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 42–7
76 November 19, 1966 Madison, WI Wisconsin Minnesota 7–6
77 November 25, 1967 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 21–14
78 November 23, 1968 Madison, WI Minnesota Wisconsin 23–15
79 November 22, 1969 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 35–10
80 November 21, 1970 Madison, WI Wisconsin Minnesota 39–14
81 November 20, 1971 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 23–21
82 November 25, 1972 Madison, WI Minnesota Wisconsin 14–6
83 November 24, 1973 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 19–17
84 November 23, 1974 Madison, WI Wisconsin Minnesota 49–14
85 November 22, 1975 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 24–3
86 November 20, 1976 Madison, WI Wisconsin Minnesota 26–17
87 November 19, 1977 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 13–7
88 November 25, 1978 Madison, WI Wisconsin Minnesota 48–10
89 November 17, 1979 Minneapolis, MN Wisconsin Minnesota 42–37
90 November 22, 1980 Madison, WI Wisconsin Minnesota 25–7
91 November 21, 1981 Minneapolis, MN Wisconsin Minnesota 26–21
92 November 20, 1982 Madison, WI Wisconsin Minnesota 24–0
93 October 15, 1983 Minneapolis, MN Wisconsin Minnesota 56–17
94 October 13, 1984 Madison, WI Minnesota Wisconsin 17–14
95 November 9, 1985 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 27–18
96 November 8, 1986 Madison, WI Minnesota Wisconsin 27–20
97 November 14, 1987 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 22–19
98 November 12, 1988 Madison, WI Wisconsin Minnesota 14–7
99 November 4, 1989 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 24–22
100 November 3, 1990 Madison, WI Minnesota Wisconsin 21–3
101 November 16, 1991 Minneapolis, MN Wisconsin Minnesota 19–16
102 November 14, 1992 Madison, WI Wisconsin Minnesota 34–6
103 October 23, 1993 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota #15 Wisconsin 28–21
104 October 22, 1994 Madison, WI Minnesota Wisconsin 17–14
105 November 11, 1995 Minneapolis, MN Wisconsin Minnesota 34–27
106 November 9, 1996 Madison, WI Wisconsin Minnesota 45–28
107 October 25, 1997 Minneapolis, MN Wisconsin Minnesota 22–21
108 November 7, 1998 Madison, WI #8 Wisconsin Minnesota 26–7
109 October 9, 1999 Minneapolis, MN #20 Wisconsin #25 Minnesota 20–17
110 November 4, 2000 Madison, WI Wisconsin Minnesota 41–20
111 November 24, 2001 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota Wisconsin 42–31
112 November 23, 2002 Madison, WI Wisconsin Minnesota 49–31
113 November 8, 2003 Minneapolis, MN #24 Minnesota Wisconsin 37–34
114 November 6, 2004 Madison, WI #5 Wisconsin Minnesota 38–14
115 October 15, 2005 Minneapolis, MN #23 Wisconsin #22 Minnesota 38–34
116 October 14, 2006 Madison, WI #25 Wisconsin Minnesota 48–12
117 November 17, 2007 Minneapolis, MN Wisconsin Minnesota 41–34
118 November 15, 2008 Madison, WI Wisconsin Minnesota 35–32
119 October 3, 2009 Minneapolis, MN Wisconsin Minnesota 31–28
120 October 9, 2010 Madison, WI #19 Wisconsin Minnesota 41–23
121 November 23, 2011 Minneapolis, MN #16 Wisconsin Minnesota 42–13
122 October 20, 2012 Madison, WI Wisconsin Minnesota 38–13
123 November 23, 2013 Minneapolis, MN #17 Wisconsin #23 Minnesota 20–7
124 November 29, 2014 Madison, WI #14 Wisconsin #22 Minnesota 34–24
125 November 28, 2015 Minneapolis, MN Wisconsin Minnesota 31–21
126 November 26, 2016 Madison, WI #5 Wisconsin Minnesota 31–17
127 November 25, 2017 Minneapolis, MN #5 Wisconsin Minnesota 31–0
128 November 24, 2018 Madison, WI Minnesota Wisconsin 37–15
129 November 30, 2019 Minneapolis, MN #12 Wisconsin #8 Minnesota 38–17
130 September 26, 2020 Madison, WI
Series: Wisconsin leads 61–60–8

Coaching records

Head to head coaching records between Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Minnesota

Head Coach Games Seasons Wins Losses Ties Pct.
Tom Eck118901001.000
Edward Moulton118911001.000
No coach118921001.000
"Wallie" Winter118931001.000
Tom Cochrane Jr.11894010.000
Pudge Heffelfinger118951001.000
Alexander Jerrems21896–97020.000
Jack Minds11898010.000
Jack Harrison, William C. Leary11899010.000
Henry L. Williams*211900–211272.619
William H. Spaulding31922–24012.333
Clarence Spears51930–31401.900
Fritz Crisler21930–31110.500
Bernie Bierman (a)101932–41910.900
George Hauser31942–44210.667
Bernie Bierman (b)61945–50420.667
Wes Fesler31951–53012.333
Murray Warmath181954–71891.472
Cal Stoll71972–78430.571
Joe Salem51979–83050.000
Lou Holtz21984–852001.000
John Gutekunst61986–91420.667
Jim Wacker51992–96230.400
Glen Mason101997–2006280.200
Tim Brewster42007–10040.000
Jerry Kill42011–15040.000
Tracy Claeys22015–16020.000
P. J. Fleck32017–120.333

Wisconsin

Head Coach Games Seasons Wins Losses Ties Pct.
Ted Mestre11890010.000
Herb Alward11891010.000
Frank Crawford11892010.000
Parke H. Davis11893010.000
Hiram O. Stickney21894–95110.500
Philip King (a)71896–1902520.714
Arthur Curtis21903–04020.000
Philip King (b)119051001.000
Charles P. Hutchins*11906–07001.500
Thomas A. Barry31908–10120.333
John R. Richards (a)11911001.500
William Juneau41912–15130.250
Paul Withington11916010.000
John R. Richards (b)119171001.000
Guy Lowman11918010.000
John R. Richards (c)41919–22310.750
John J. Ryan21923–24002.500
George Little21925–26011.250
Glenn Thistlethwaite51927–31140.200
Clarence Spears41932–35130.250
Harry Stuhldreher131936–482110.154
Ivy Williamson71949–55322.571
Milt Bruhn111956–66731.682
John Coatta31967–69030.000
John Jardine81970–77350.375
Dave McClain81978–85620.750
Jim Hilles11986010.000
Don Morton31987–89120.333
Barry Alvarez161990–20051150.688
Bret Bielema72006–127001.000
Gary Andersen22013–142001.000
Paul Chryst52015–410.800
  • No game was played in 1906

See also

References

  1. "Winsipedia College Football Database: Minnesota vs. Wisconsin". Winsipedia.com. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  2. "Bielema touts history of Wisconsin-Minnesota rivalry – College Football – ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. November 12, 2007. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  3. "Paul Bunyan's Axe – Minnesota vs. Wisconsin – University of Minnesota Official Athletic Site". Gophersports.com. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
  4. "Wisconsin Badgers Football, Basketball, and Recruiting Front Page". Wisconsin.scout.com. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
  5. Mason, Tyler. "A night 15 years in the making: Gophers finally get their..." The Athletic. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  6. Doherty, Justin (2005). Tales from the Wisconsin Badgers. Sports Publishing. p. 104. ISBN 1582614083. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
  7. "Precursor to the Axe - UWBadgers.com - The Official Athletic Site of the Wisconsin Badgers". UWBadgers.com. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  8. Scott Dochterman. "Traveling trophies woven into Big Ten football fabric (with poll, video)". TheGazette. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  9. Doherty, Justin (2005). Tales from the Wisconsin Badgers. Sports Publishing. p. 105. ISBN 1582614083. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
  10. "Original Axe headed to Hall of Fame". The Badger Herald. November 19, 2003. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  11. Fox Sports (November 19, 2013). "badgers-gophers-rivalry-gets-boost-as-both-teams-good | FOX Sports on MSN". Foxsportswisconsin.com. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  12. Bennett, Brian (May 6, 2014). "Big Ten weekend rewind: Week 13 – ESPN". Espn.go.com. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  13. "Countdown to end begins for Metrodome". kare11.com. August 9, 2013. Archived from the original on November 26, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  14. "Former Badgers Recall Axe Rivalry – UWBadgers.com – The Official Athletic Site of the Wisconsin Badgers". UWBadgers.com. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  15. "Badgers football: Backfield tandem runs wild — and wildcat — over Gophers : Sports". Host.madison.com. October 20, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  16. "Gary Andersen says Paul Bunyans Axe will disappear during Minnesota vs. Wisconsin". The Daily Gopher. November 24, 2014. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  17. Journal, Todd D. Milewski | Wisconsin State. "After another Badgers win over Gophers, Axe 'qualifies for a state pension' for tenure in Wisconsin". madison.com. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  18. "Minnesota Golden Gophers Index". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
  19. "Wisconsin Badgers Index". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  20. "NCAA Football Championship History". NCAA.com. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  21. "Minnesota Championships". GopherSports.com. Archived from the original on December 2, 2014. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
  22. "1942 College Football National Championship". Tiptop25.com. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
  23. "Andy Baggot: We are — or were — the champions? | Sports". host.madison.com. January 8, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
  24. "Minnesota Bowl History". CollegeFootballPoll.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2014. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  25. "Wisconsin Bowl History". CollegeFootballPoll.com. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  26. "Divisional Rankings". ESPN.go.com. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  27. "Minnesota All-America Selections". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  28. "Wisconsin Badgers All-America Selections". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  29. "Past Heisman Trophy Winners". NationalChamps.net. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
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