Fans sound off on Twitter after Wisconsin Badgers edge Minnesota Golden Gophers for Paul Bunyan's Axe
Wisconsin State Journal reporter Jim Polzin asked Badgers fans on Twitter what they thought of Wisconsin's 20-17 overtime victory over the rival Minnesota Golden Gophers Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
Here's what fans were saying after the Badgers secured Paul Bunyan's Axe for another year:
As big as a bowl
Bucky had the right stuff when it counted from Wolf to Chenal to Larsh with the winning field goal. The Axe stays where it belongs. This was our bowl game!
— Dennis Semrau (@DennisSemrau) December 20, 2020
Saving the best for last
If not for COVID, I'd say we take the Axe to Amherst and, y'know, empty the barrels! 🍻🍺🍺
— Rob Hernandez (@RobHernandezGLF) December 20, 2020
That was a man-sized performance for @Garrettgro37. A 154-yard rushing performance in a season to this point void of a 100-yard game?! What a way to go out! pic.twitter.com/yZiMZmi4u6
Fighting to the finish
Tough year but the seniors leave Camp Randall knowing in their final home game they beat Minnesota and retained the Axe 🪓
— Mark Meddings (@MeddingsMark1) December 20, 2020
Failed experiment
Also, Chryst needs to resume play calling next year
— Fred Ehle (@FredEhle) December 20, 2020
Calling for change
Garret Groshek willed us to a win, and the defense was stellar. Ibrahim is very impressive. Always great to win the axe, but Rudolph's decision to have Wolf throw downfield is inexcusable. He's a good recruiter, good OL coach, but horrific OC.
— Frozenwriter (@repattermann) December 20, 2020
Going out with a bang
It was a disappointing season, but the determination of the team to keep the axe made it end on a high note!
— Drew Anderson (@baitedtiger) December 20, 2020
Here's to a better tomorrow
Never want to lose the axe so that's the bright spot of the year... Not sure when the next game will be in a Bowl or the Fall of 21 but fingers crossed Mertz looks better....
— Todd Bethe (@todd_bethe) December 20, 2020
All things considered ...
Tough season offensively with the injuries/covid issues!
— Aaron L Gramza (@AaronGramza) December 20, 2020
Gopher-B-Gone
— Joel Schneider (@joelschneider25) December 20, 2020
Been a rough year
Winning the axe is always big. It’s too easy to forget that we were without top players at WR, RB, OL for much/most of this season, and down to third string QB toward the end of this game. So proud of Groshek and Wolf, and Larsh for shunning an early, bad miss. Fantastic D.❤️ 🦡
— Scott (@CinciBadger98) December 20, 2020
Head-scratcher
Great win the boys needed/deserved during this adversity-filled, wacky year. Honestly have questions on play-calling though. Groshek marching/o-line imposing our will and we air out a deep ball with Chase Wolf? Why? What purpose?!? Asking for an L, lucky to pull out a W.
— Aaron Heim (@HeimTime88) December 20, 2020
MVP performance!
Thanks for your hard work during tough circumstances this year, Jim.
— In Development 😷 (@j__1252) December 20, 2020
Enough said
FB Badgers-as I was taught by Coach Alvarez, a W is a W. This Badgers team did their best with the personnel available for this season. I say no more bc I said a lot during the game.
— Paul Yochum'63 (@PaulYochum63) December 20, 2020
Scoreboard
15 of the last 16. 23 of the last 26. #OnWisconsin
— Trent Probst (@coachprobst) December 20, 2020
Easier said than done
Saved the season. Pretty simple.
— Badger Local (@BadgerLocal) December 20, 2020
No need to count sheep
The game was entertaining. Winning will allow us to sleep better tonight.
— Wiscy (@WiscyWear) December 20, 2020
What a difference a win makes
It’s the difference between a mediocre and rock bottom year. Inspires more confidence in program going forward. Likely keeps bowl streak alive too.
— University and State (@UnivAndState) December 20, 2020
Something like that
DONT CARE IF WE SUCK WE GOT THE AXE BABY
— FEED PHILLIP LINDSAY (@FeedPhillip) December 20, 2020
Year in a nutshell
Game felt like 2020
— TheWelshWeapon (@Aaron_J_Jones) December 20, 2020
Almost there ...
Brutal but we got through it
— Michael Drew 🍻 (@MikeDrewWhat) December 20, 2020
Oh, the stories they'll tell
Players went through a lot this year and I'm sure it will be one they tell their kids/grandkids about. Looking forward to fans in the stands next year.
— BuckyUAZ 🌵 (@BuckyUaz) December 20, 2020
Another magical milestone!
Oh Shoot! I’m dying here! Too funny!!!!
— The Sproles (@SprolesThe) December 20, 2020
Leaving it all out there
Garrett Groshek wanted to win more than the Minny defense. Hats off to him
— JLO (@JLofgren2) December 20, 2020
It makes up for a lot!
Beating MN is always a great feeling. Tough season but ended on a high note for sure.
— RH (@fbwa76) December 20, 2020
A bit sweeter
Beating the Fighting Flecks with second and third string players maybe my favorite axe game of them all!
— pmiLA (@Fzenman) December 20, 2020
No stone left unturned
A nice win to build momentum for the off-season. Lots of important contributions from unexpected places.
— gospeedracergo (@bdgrdoc) December 20, 2020
Yeah, Baby, yeah!
THANK GOD! Praying Mertz gets his mojo back next season!!
— JWall1013 (@jwall_1013) December 20, 2020
Date with destiny
You saw it after the game...this is why these big rivalry/trophy games need to be the last game of the season.
— Patrick Dopke (@PatDopke) December 20, 2020
Tipping the scales
Winning this game makes the season worth it, and any fan that tells you otherwise is lying.
— Dan D. (@One_Punch_Dan) December 20, 2020
One to remember
— R.J. (@BrachTalk84) December 20, 2020
It took a gutty, full-team performance and an overtime period to get the job done but the Badgers bounced back from three consecutive losses to post a 20-17 win over visiting Minnesota on Saturday at Camp Randall.
A quick look at the Badgers' 20-17 OT victory over the Golden Gophers in the battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe Saturday at Camp Randall.
Tom Oates grades the Badgers' performance in their 20-17 overtime victory over the Golden Gophers in the battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe Saturday at Camp Randall.
Groshek was the only experienced tailback remaining on UW’s roster and he delivered big time, rushing for a career-high 154 yards and a touchdown in the Badgers’ 20-17 OT victory over the Golden Gophers.
Thanks to gritty veterans who refused to quit and a Minnesota defense that was several notches below what UW had seen recently, the Badgers kept the Axe, evened their record at 3-3 and assured that they wouldn't be embarrassed to accept a bowl invitation.
Chenal was involved at every level of the defense against the Gophers — rushing the passer, defending the run and dropping into coverage — as the Badgers pulled out a 20-17 victory in overtime.
The University of Wisconsin football team will play Wake Forest in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Dec. 30 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Badgers' junior tight end Jake Ferguson and senior left tackle Cole Van Lanen made the Associated Press' all-conference team.
The Wisconsin football program has doubled the money it spends on recruiting in recent years, but still ranks last among public Power 5 programs.
Badgers head coach Paul Chryst has been involved in nearly half of the program's bowl games as either a player, assistant or head coach.
Leonhard says Wisconsin is "home" for him despite rumors linking him to head-coaching opportunities.
UW redshirt freshman QB Graham Mertz is aiming for a strong finish to what has been an up-and-down season.
Wake Forest averaged 75.4 offensive plays and 435.3 yards per game this season, both of which would’ve ranked second in the Big Ten Conference this year.
The Madison native has posted career highs in catches and yards the past two games.
National Signing Day saw the University of Wisconsin football team bring in its highest-rated class in the internet rankings era.
