It was a disappointing game from start to finish for the Gophers. The Minnesota offense couldn’t move the ball, and the explosive Wisconsin offense kept churning yards. In the end, the Gophers fell to Wisconsin, 31-0 to go 5-7 in the regular season.
“[Wisconsin has] done this to pretty much everybody they played and tonight was no different,” said P.J. Fleck after the game. “They’re a very, very good football team and one of the best football teams I’ve played against in a long time.”
BY THE NUMBERS
133 Total yards of offense for the Gophers. They managed just 40 yards passing in the game.
“They are so talented up front,” said Fleck of Wisconsin’s defense. “They put you in a lot of positions to be able to throw the ball. We have so many young wideouts out there. When your top guy goes down, you do everything you can to get the ball to the guys. We have to find playmakers.”
8 Punts to go with just eight first downs for Minnesota. The Gophers simply couldn’t move the ball or sustain a drive to give them a chance or keep the Wisconsin offense off the field.
7.4 Yards per carry for Wisconsin. Freshman Jonathan Taylor led the way with 149 yards and a touchdown.
3 Passing touchdowns for the Badgers. The visitors needed to go to the air as Minnesota stacked the box to try and limit the run.
“They had a good game plan,” said Thomas Barber. “We were really stacking the box trying to stop the run. Just being not very disciplined on defense. We gotta keep our eyes on our man.”
82 Yards for Rodney Smith, who was the only bright spot for the Gophers on offense.
“Rodney Smith does what Rodney Smith does,” said Fleck. “When he’s your only playmaker on offense, everybody knows that. That’s not hard. Paul Chryst is one of the best football coaches in America, it’s not like you surprise him. He knows exactly what’s coming. We have to get more around him and that’s what’s on its way.”
1950 The last time the Gophers were shutout in consecutive Big Ten games.
60 Wins for the Badgers in the all-time series which now stands at 60-59-8 in favor of Wisconsin. It’s the first time in the history of the series Wisconsin has led since the rivalry started in 1890.
16 Seniors played their final game at TCF Bank Stadium. It was a tough way to go out, and the group will certainly be missed next season.
“The big thing was just thanking them for everything they have done for the University of Minnesota, our fan base, and our community,” said Fleck of the seniors. “That group has been through a lot. Three coaching changes, a lot of adversity and for that group to stick around the way they have…Give them a lot of credit. I am really proud of them in terms of what they have been through and the adversity they faced. It’s unfortunate that we cannot extend the season for them.”