The title next to Paul Haynes matters less to him now than it once did.
People are also reading…
Photos: Relive Wisconsin and Minnesota's recent battles for the Axe
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Wisconsin running back Sam Brodner maintains control of the ball against Minnesota defensive back Adekunle Ayinde during the Badgers' 31-0 win over the Gophers Nov. 25, 2017, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Minnesota defensive back Adekunle Ayinde tries to tackle Wisconsin wide receiver A.J. Taylor during the Badgers' 31-0 win over the Gophers Nov. 25, 2017, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Minnesota running back Rodney Smith breaks away from the defense of Wisconsin safety Natrell Jamerson during the Badgers' 31-0 win over the Gophers Nov. 25, 2017, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Wisconsin wide receiver A.J. Taylor, right, talks with running back Jonathan Taylor during the Badgers' 31-0 win over the Gophers Nov. 25, 2017, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Wisconsin inside linebacker Ryan Connelly tackles Minnesota running back Rodney Smith during the Badgers' 31-0 win over the Gophers Nov. 25, 2017, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Wisconsin wide receiver Danny Davis III is tackled by Minnesota defensive backs Duke McGhee, left, and Antonio Shenault during the Badgers' 31-0 win over the Gophers Nov. 25, 2017, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Wisconsin defensive end Alec James holds up Paul Bunyan's Axe after the Badgers' 31-0 win over the Gophers Nov. 25, 2017, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Wisconsin defensive end Chikwe Obasih holds Paul Bunyan's Axe up to Wisconsin fans after the Badgers' 31-0 win over the Gophers Nov. 25, 2017, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Wisconsin players hold up Paul Bunyan's Axe up after the Badgers' 31-0 win over the Gophers Nov. 25, 2017, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Wisconsin offensive linebacker Garrett Dooley celebrates with Paul Bunyan's Axe after the Badgers' 31-0 win over the Gophers Nov. 25, 2017, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota 2018
Minnesota running back Bryce Williams outruns Wisconsin safety D'Cota Dixon on a 23-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter of the Gophers' 37-15 win over the Badgers on Nov. 24, 2018, at Camp Randall Stadium.
Wisconsin Minnesota 2018
Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim is tackled by Wisconsin safety D'Cota Dixon during the Badgers' 37-15 loss to the Gophers Nov. 24, 2018, at Camp Randall Stadium.
Wisconsin Minnesota 2018
Wisconsin wide receiver A.J. Taylor races down the sidelines during the Badgers' 37-15 loss to the Gophers Nov. 24, 2018, at Camp Randall Stadium.
Wisconsin Minnesota 2018
Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor is tackled by Minnesota linebacker Julian Huff during the Badgers' 37-15 loss to the Gophers Nov. 24, 2018, at Camp Randall Stadium.
Wisconsin Minnesota 2018
Wisconsin quarterback Alex Hornibrook looks for a receiver during the Badgers' 37-15 loss to the Gophers Nov. 24, 2018, at Camp Randall Stadium.
Wisconsin Minnesota 2018
Minnesota wide receiver Demetrius Douglas returns a punt for a touchdown during the Badgers' 37-15 loss to the Gophers Nov. 24, 2018, at Camp Randall Stadium.
Wisconsin Minnesota 2018
Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor looks for running room during the Badgers' 37-15 loss to the Gophers Nov. 24, 2018, at Camp Randall Stadium.
Wisconsin Minnesota 2018
Minnesota players celebrate with Paul Bunyan's Axe after defeating the Badgers 37-15 on Nov. 24, 2018, at Camp Randall Stadium.
Wisconsin Minnesota 2018
Minnesota players celebrate with Paul Bunyan's Axe after defeating the Badgers 37-15 on Nov. 24, 2018, at Camp Randall Stadium.
Wisconsin Minnesota 2018
Minnesota players celebrate with Paul Bunyan's Axe after defeating the Badgers 37-15 on Nov. 24, 2018, at Camp Randall Stadium.
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor falls in the end zone for a touchdown against Minnesota in 2019.
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Wisconsin quarterback Jack Coan throws the ball before getting hit by Minnesota linebacker Thomas Barber during the Badgers' 38-17 win over the Gophers Nov. 30, 2019, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor escapes a tackle by Minnesota linebacker Thomas Barber during the Badgers' 38-17 win over the Gophers Nov. 30, 2019, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim avoids a tackle by Wisconsin linebacker Christian Bell during the Badgers' 38-17 win over the Gophers Nov. 30, 2019, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Wisconsin safety Madison Cone, left, celebrates with cornerback Semar Melvin after the Badgers' 38-17 win over the Gophers Nov. 30, 2019, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Wisconsin wide receiver Kendric Pryor is knocked down by Minnesota defensive back Jordan Howden during the Badgers' 38-17 win over the Gophers Nov. 30, 2019, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Axe
Wisconsin running back Bradrick Shaw holds Paul Bunyan's Axe in celebration after Wisconsin defeated Minnesota 38-17 on Nov. 30, 2019, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Axe
Wisconsin wide receiver Quintez Cephus holds Paul Bunyan's Axe in celebration after Wisconsin defeated Minnesota 38-17 on Nov. 30, 2019, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Axe
Wisconsin wide receiver Quintez Cephus, right, hands Paul Bunyan's Axe to teammate linebacker Zack Baun after the Badgers' 38-17 win over the Gophers Nov. 30, 2019, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Axe
Wisconsin punter Connor Allen holds up Paul Bunyan's Axe during the post game celebration after the Badgers' 38-17 win over the Gophers Nov. 30, 2019, in Minneapolis.
Minnesota at Wisconsin
Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz looks for a receiver during the Badgers' 20-17 overtime win against Minnesota Dec. 19, 2020, at Camp Randall Stadium.
Minnesota at Wisconsin
Wisconsin tight end Jake Ferguson catches a pass over the middle during the Badgers' 20-17 overtime win against Minnesota Dec. 19, 2020, at Camp Randall Stadium.
Minnesota at Wisconsin
Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz is hit by Minnesota defensive back Justus Harris during the Badgers' 20-17 overtime win against Minnesota Dec. 19, 2020, at Camp Randall Stadium.
Minnesota at Wisconsin
Wisconsin running back Garrett Groshek runs up the middle during the Badgers' 20-17 overtime win against Minnesota Dec. 19, 2020, at Camp Randall Stadium.
Minnesota at Wisconsin
Wisconsin linebacker Leo Chenal celebrates a sack of Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan during the Badgers' 20-17 overtime win against Minnesota Dec. 19, 2020, at Camp Randall Stadium.
Minnesota at Wisconsin
Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan scrambles during the fourth quarter of the Badgers' 20-17 overtime win against the Gophers Dec. 19, 2020, at Camp Randall Stadium.
Minnesota at Wisconsn
Wisconsin kicker Collin Larsh watches his 30-yard game-winning field goal as the Badgers defeated the Gophers 20-17 in overtime Dec. 19, 2020, at Camp Randall Stadium.
Minnesota at Wisconsin
Wisconsin defenders celebrate a missed field goal by Minnesota kicker Anders Gelecinskyj in overtime as the Badgers defeated Minnesota 20-17 on Dec. 19, 2020, at Camp Randall Stadium.
Minnesota at Wisconsin Axe
Wisconsin linebacker Mike Maskalunas carries Paul Bunyan's Axe after the Badgers beat Minnesota 20-17 in overtime Dec. 19, 2020, at Camp Randall Stadium.
Minnesota at Wisconsin Axe
Wisconsin cornerback Caesar Williams (21) carries the Paul Bunyan's Axe after the Badgers beat Minnesota 20-17 in overtime Dec. 19, 2020, at Camp Randall Stadium.
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Wisconsin safety Scott Nelson, right, celebrates with linebacker Jack Sanborn after Nelson intercepted the ball for a touchdown during the first half of the Minnesota Golden Gophers' 23-13 win over the Badgers Nov. 27, 2021, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Minnesota running back Mar'Keise Irving carries the ball during the second half of the Gophers' 23-13 win over the Badgers Nov. 27, 2021, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz motions to teammates before the snap during the second half of the Minnesota Golden Gophers' 23-13 win over the Badgers Nov. 27, 2021, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Wisconsin wide receiver Stephan Bracey during the second half of the Minnesota Golden Gophers' 23-13 win over the Badgers Nov. 27, 2021, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Wisconsin tight end Jake Ferguson is stopped by Minnesota defensive back Justin Walley during the second half of the Gophers' 23-13 win over the Badgers Nov. 27, 2021, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen carries the ball during the second half of the Minnesota Golden Gophers' 23-13 win over the Badgers Nov. 27, 2021, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Minnesota wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell catches a pass against Wisconsin cornerback Faion Hicks during the second half of the Minnesota Golden Gophers' 23-13 win over the Badgers Nov. 27, 2021, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck is doused in water after the Gophers' 23-13 win over the Wisconsin Badgers Nov. 27, 2021, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Minnesota fans reach up toward Paul Bunyan's Axe after the Gophers' 23-13 win over the Wisconsin Badgers Nov. 27, 2021, in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin Minnesota Football
Minnesota fans reach up toward Paul Bunyan's Axe after the Gophers' 23-13 win over the Wisconsin Badgers Nov. 27, 2021, in Minneapolis.
