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University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Lose Game and Axe To Badgers 49-31
11/23/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Minnesota's defense got off to a fast start by forcing a fumble and blocking a punt on the Badgers? first two possessions. The Gophers followed the blocked punt with a 39-yard field goal by Dan Nystrom to take the early lead. Wisconsin followed the Gophers? score with one of their own, marching 66 yards in eight plays to take a 7-3 lead on a four-yard run by Anthony Davis to close out the first quarter.
Nystrom would be summoned again in the second quarter to convert a 25-yard field goal to cut the Badgers? lead to one point. Wisconsin once again had an answer for the Gophers as quarterback Brooks Bollinger tossed a 12-yard touchdown to Charles Darrin to extend their lead to 14-6.
Minnesota opened up its offensive playbook on their ensuing series with a 37-yard completion from Asad Abdul-Khaliq to Tony Patterson, which moved the Gophers into Wisconsin territory. From there, Terry Jackson II took over and culminated the drive with a one-yard touchdown run. The Gophers converted the two-point conversion when Danny Upchurch completed a pass to Ben Utecht to knot the game at 14-14. Wisconsin would steal the momentum right back as Anthony Davis scored on a one-yard touchdown run with three seconds remaining before half to give Wisconsin a 21-14 heading into halftime.
Minnesota quieted the Madison faithful to start the second half by marching 79 yards in nine plays on their opening possession. Jackson earned his second touchdown on a seven-yard run to tie the score for the second time. The Gophers would regain the lead minutes later as Nystrom drilled his third field goal from 29 yards to give the Gophers a 24-21 lead. Wisconsin would finish the third quarter much like they did the second quarter by scoring late, this time on a 25-yard run by Davis to go ahead 28-24.
Minnesota showed its character by opening the fourth quarter with an 80-yard drive, which ended with a two-yard pass from Abdul-Khaliq to Thomas Tapeh, giving the Gophers a 31-28 advantage. Unfortunately for the Gophers, that would be the end of their scoring for the rest of the game. Wisconsin stayed with their ground game as Bollinger scored on a one-yard run with 10:21 remaining in the game to give Wisconsin a 35-31 lead. Anthony Davis, who finished with 301 yards rushing, would take over the game from that point, adding his fourth and fifth touchdown runs of the game, from two and 71 yards out to give the Badgers a 49-31 victory.
