The Gophers’ 24-7 win over the Badgers returned Paul Bunyan’s Axe to Minnesota after a one-year residency in Wisconsin, but it also snapped the Badgers’ 22-year

Max Brosmer passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another to help Minnesota beat Wisconsin. Friday's game was the 134th meeting between the teams. The rivalry is the oldest rivalry in the nation among Football Bowl Division schools.

Wisconsin had a string of 22 consecutive bowl appearances and winning seasons. But the team needed a win to get to .500 and become bowl eligible.

Minnesota led Wisconsin 21-0 midway through the third quarter, but instead of the Badgers facing a fourth and 15, a late hit by linebacker Joey Gerlach gave Wisconsin a first down. The Baders scored a touchdown two plays later to make it 21-7.

The Minnesota-Wisconsin series is the most-played FBS rivalry, and a Gophers victory would enable them to tie the all-time series at 63-63-8. Since 1948, the winner of this game has gained possession of Paul Bunyan's Axe.

In the 134th playing of Minnesota's historic rivalry with Wisconsin, the Gophers left with a 24-7 win and Paul Bunyan's Axe.

By beating Wisconsin, the Gophers denied their bitter rival bowl eligibility. The Badgers have appeared in a bowl for 22 consecutive years, but the only wa