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University of Minnesota Athletics
FB: Minnesota loses Axe in 38-14 defeat at Wisconsin
11/6/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Wisconsin jumped out to a 31-0 lead, scoring on first half drives of 80, 66, 69, 65, and 66 yards. The Badgers held the ball for over 22 minutes during the first half of play, executing 48 plays and amassing 383 first half yards.
The Gophers ended UW's scoring streak with a Bryan Cupito to Ernie Wheelwright touchdown pass from 10 yards out late in the second quarter. The touchdown reception was Wheelwright's sixth of the season.
The Gophers scored another touchdown off the second half kickoff, driving 80 yards in 15 plays. Laurence Maroney capped the drive with a 31-yard burst on a third-and-eight. The touchdown trimmed Wisconsin's lead to 31-14.
But the Gophers defense failed to stop Wisconsin on its first second- half possession. The Badgers mounted an 80-yard, 15-play march, capped by a John Stocco bootleg from two yards out making the final 38-14.
Wisconsin controlled the line of scrimmage totaling 44:31 time of possession, compared to Minnesota's 15:29. The Badgers also converted on 11 of 17 third down chances. The Gopher offense was limited to 73 yards rushing on 18 attempts. Cupito finished 17-of- 33 for 258 yards and a touchdown.
The loss drops Minnesota to 6-4 overall.
Minnesota Notes
Saturday's game marked the 114th meeting between Wisconsin and Minnesota, making the match-up the most played college football rivalry in NCAA Division I history. The two teams have played every year since 1907.
Minnesota's overall record against Wisconsin fell to 59-47-8 and 22-30-6 in games played at Wisconsin.
Ernie Wheelwright's catch in the first quarter gave him at least one reception in every game this season.
Wheelwright's 10-yard touchdown catch from Bryan Cupito in the second quarter gave him seven touchdown catches this season. Wheelwright is currently tied with Ron Johnson (1999) and Elmer Bailey (1979) for sixth on the all-time season receiving touchdowns list. Cupito's touchdown pass to Wheelwright was his 14th of the season. Cupito moved into a seventh-place tie with Cory Sauter (1996) and Time Schade (1994) on the all-time season touchdown passes list.
Darrell Reid recorded his 14th career quarterback sack in the second quarter. Reid currently sits alone in fourth-place on the all-time career quarterback sacks list.
Laurence Maroney's 31-yard touchdown run in the third quarter gives him 19 rushing touchdowns for his career, moving him into a tie for 13th place with Jim Perkins on the Gophers' career rushing touchdowns list.
Laurence Maroney's 57 yards rushing gives him 2,208 yards rushing for his career, moving him into ninth place on the Gophers' career rushing list. Maroney moved past Paul Giel's (1951-53) 2,188 yards and his 56 yards behind Francis "Pug" Lund (1932-34) for eighth place.
Maroney's 31-yard third-quarter touchdown run gives him 19 rushing touchdowns for his career and moved him into a tie for 13th place on the Gophers' career rushing touchdowns list. Maroney is tied with Jim Perkins (1974-76).
Maroney has had a run of 20 yards or more in 11 straight games and six runs of 30 yards or more this season.
John Pawielski recorded a career-high 13 tackles, breaking his previous career high of nine tackles set this season against Illinois State (Sept. 11) and Penn State (Oct. 2).
Dominique Sims' 14 tackles established a new career high, breaking the previous career high of 12 tackles against Ohio State in 2001.
Minnesota has reached double-digits in 27 straight games. Ohio State held Minnesota to three points on Nov. 2, 2002.
Minnesota has scored 20 or more points in 33 of its last 37 games.
Minnesota has not been shut out in a school-record 82 games. The last time UM was blanked on the scoreboard was in a 31-0 loss at Iowa on Nov. 22, 1997.
Minnesota has amassed more than 300 total yards in 24 straight games dating back to the 2002 season.
