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University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Travel to Madison for Border Battle Saturday
10/8/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Minnesota Game Notes - at Wisconsin
GOPHERS, BADGERS BATTLE FOR PAUL BUNYAN'S AXE SATURDAY
The most-played rivalry in the history of the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision will be renewed for its 120th edition Saturday in Madison, Wis.
The University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin began meeting on the gridiron in 1890. The Gophers and Badgers have been playing for a trophy since 1930, originally competing for the “Slab of Bacon.” Paul Bunyan’s Axe became the trophy beginning in 1948.
Minnesota leads the overall series by a 59-52-8 count. But Wisconsin leads in games played for the Axe by a tally of 35-24-3. The Badgers have won six straight in the rivalry.
The Big Ten Network will air the game with Eric Collins calling the action and Chris Martin serving as the color analyst. Charissa Thompson will be on the sideline. The game will also air on XM/Sirius (91/196).
QUICK HITTERS
> Minnesota is 59-52-8 in its history vs. Wisconsin, but has lost the last six meetings.
> Minnesota is in its 127th season of college football in 2010. Only three other schools -- Rutgers (141), Michigan (131) and Navy (130) will have played more at the end of this season.
> Minnesota is tied for No. 15 in the nation in turnover margin. The Gophers have an average turnover margin of +0.8 per game.
> For the fourth time this season, the Gophers had the advantage in time of possession. Minnesota ranks No. 2 in the nation in ball control, averaging 34:32 per game.
> Minnesota has come from behind in each of its last seven victories.
> The Gophers are No. 27 in the nation in passing efficiency (148.58).
THE WISCONSIN SERIES
Saturday’s game will be the 120th gridiron meeting between the University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin. The Gophers lead the series 59-52-8.
ALL AXE-CESS
At 119 games and counting, the series between Minnesota and Wisconsin ranks as the longest in Division 1-A football; and “Paul Bunyan’s Axe” has the history of one of college football’s fiercest rivalries emblazoned on its six-foot long handle.
Minnesota and Wisconsin began playing for Paul Bunyan’s Axe in 1948. Prior to the Axe, the Gophers and Badgers played for the “Slab of Bacon” from 1930 to the early 1940s. But that trophy was lost and a few years later, Paul Bunyan’s Axe was born. Minnesota leads the all-time series 59-52-8. Wisconsin leads in games for the Axe 35-24-3.
For more information on Paul Bunyan’s Axe, check out Page 147 of the Minnesota Football Guide.
ESKRIDGE EXPRESS
Before last week’s game with Northwestern, junior running back DeLeon Eskridge hadn’t rushed for 100 yards or more in nearly two years. Eskridge ripped off 119 yards vs. the Wildcats last week for his third career 100-yard game. The last time he eclipsed the century mark was Oct. 11, 2008 when he rushed for 124 at Illinois. In between those two games, he hadn’t rushed for more than 80 yards.
PRESIDENT CARTER
Sophomore cornerback Michael Carter was bumped from the starting lineup after the first two games of the season. But Carter came up with a huge game off the bench last week vs. Northwestern. He recorded a team-high 11 tackles, forced a fumble, recorded an interception deep in Minnesota territory and also recorded a tackle-for-loss.
Click on the PDF version of the game notes at the top of this page to see more.
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