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University of Minnesota Athletics
Saturday, November 27
Huntington Bank Stadium
3:00 PM
University of Minnesota
vs
Wisconsin
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
Photo by: Kelly Hagenson
Game 12: Minnesota vs. Wisconsin
11/24/2021 9:12:00 AM | Football
THE ESSENTIALS
Date/Time: Nov. 27, 2021 / 3 p.m. CT
Site: Minneapolis
Stadium: Huntington Bank Stadium
Surface: FieldTurf
Capacity: 50,805
Series Overall: Minnesota Trails 60-62-8
Streak: Minnesota Lost 2
Series in MN: Minnesota Leads 37-27-2
Streak: Minnesota Lost 8
Last Meeting: Minnesota lost 20-17 (ot) in Madison (12/19/20)
Television: FOX // Tim Brando (PXP), Spencer Tillman (Analyst)
Radio: KFAN | XM: 203 | Sirius: 98 | SXM App: 966 // Mike Grimm (PXP), Darrell Thompson (Analyst), Justin Gaard (Reporter), Tanner Hoops (Host), Dan Rowbotham (Engineer)
FIVE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
1. In the most-played FBS rivalry in college football history, Minnesota and Wisconsin meet for the 131st time on Saturday. Minnesota trails in the all-time series 60-62-8, though the Gophers' 60 wins against the Badgers are their second most wins against one team behind only Iowa (62). Minnesota is looking to snap a two-game losing streak to the Badgers and win the Axe for the second time since 2003.
2. Saturday also marks the 73rd battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe, a full history of which can be found on Page 41 of Minnesota's Game Notes. First played for in 1948, the all-time series record for the Axe is tilted in Wisconsin's favor at 44-25-3. Minnesota last won it in 2018, and 34 players remain on the current roster from that team.
3. The Golden Gophers have one of the strongest rush defenses in the country, ranking 12th nationally and third in the Big Ten by allowing 103.6 rushing yards per game this year. That's on pace to be the best opponent rush total for the Gophers since a program-record 52.2 yards allowed per game in 1962. The national average for rushing yards per game through Nov. 20 is 163.7 yards per game; only two Gopher opponents have even gone above 144 yards rushing this year and five have been held to less than 100 rushing yards. In fact, Minnesota had a two-game stretch of just 3 rush yards allowed (-19 at Colorado, 22 vs. Bowling Green). The -19 rushing yards allowed at Colorado on Sept. 18 are tied for the fewest by any FBS team this year along with Clemson holding UConn to the same total on Nov. 13. The next fewest among Power 5 teams came on Oct. 23 when Wisconsin held Purdue to -13 rush yards. Minnesota is fourth in the country in fewest opponent rush attempts (327), 13th in opponent rush yards (1140), 18th in opponent rushing touchdowns (10) and 23rd in opponent yards per carry (3.49).
4. Following Saturday's 35-14 victory at Indiana, Minnesota is 7-4 on the season and 5-3 in the Big Ten. The Gophers have reached seven wins for the third time in five years under P.J. Fleck's guidance. Prior to Fleck, Minnesota had three seven-win seasons in eight years. In addition, with the win, Minnesota has clinched a .500 or better record in Big Ten play for just the ninth time in the past 50 years. Coupled with a 7-2 league record in 2019, Fleck is the first Gophers coach since Glen Mason (1999 and 2003, five wins each) to win at least five conference games more than once.
5. Fifth-year senior quarterback Tanner Morgan is in his third full season as the Minnesota starter, and he's established himself as the winningest signal-caller to ever wear the Maroon and Gold. Morgan is 25-12 as a starter, breaking the previous mark of 24 career wins held by Mitch Leidner. Morgan has completed 535 (fourth most in school history) of 874 passes (sixth most) for 7,764 yards (second most) and 55 touchdowns (tied for second most) in his career. His career completion percentage of .612 is first in school history, as is his 150.88 efficiency rating, 2.20 touchdown to interception ratio and .676 win percentage.
You can read Minnesota's complete game notes here.
Date/Time: Nov. 27, 2021 / 3 p.m. CT
Site: Minneapolis
Stadium: Huntington Bank Stadium
Surface: FieldTurf
Capacity: 50,805
Series Overall: Minnesota Trails 60-62-8
Streak: Minnesota Lost 2
Series in MN: Minnesota Leads 37-27-2
Streak: Minnesota Lost 8
Last Meeting: Minnesota lost 20-17 (ot) in Madison (12/19/20)
Television: FOX // Tim Brando (PXP), Spencer Tillman (Analyst)
Radio: KFAN | XM: 203 | Sirius: 98 | SXM App: 966 // Mike Grimm (PXP), Darrell Thompson (Analyst), Justin Gaard (Reporter), Tanner Hoops (Host), Dan Rowbotham (Engineer)
FIVE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
1. In the most-played FBS rivalry in college football history, Minnesota and Wisconsin meet for the 131st time on Saturday. Minnesota trails in the all-time series 60-62-8, though the Gophers' 60 wins against the Badgers are their second most wins against one team behind only Iowa (62). Minnesota is looking to snap a two-game losing streak to the Badgers and win the Axe for the second time since 2003.
2. Saturday also marks the 73rd battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe, a full history of which can be found on Page 41 of Minnesota's Game Notes. First played for in 1948, the all-time series record for the Axe is tilted in Wisconsin's favor at 44-25-3. Minnesota last won it in 2018, and 34 players remain on the current roster from that team.
3. The Golden Gophers have one of the strongest rush defenses in the country, ranking 12th nationally and third in the Big Ten by allowing 103.6 rushing yards per game this year. That's on pace to be the best opponent rush total for the Gophers since a program-record 52.2 yards allowed per game in 1962. The national average for rushing yards per game through Nov. 20 is 163.7 yards per game; only two Gopher opponents have even gone above 144 yards rushing this year and five have been held to less than 100 rushing yards. In fact, Minnesota had a two-game stretch of just 3 rush yards allowed (-19 at Colorado, 22 vs. Bowling Green). The -19 rushing yards allowed at Colorado on Sept. 18 are tied for the fewest by any FBS team this year along with Clemson holding UConn to the same total on Nov. 13. The next fewest among Power 5 teams came on Oct. 23 when Wisconsin held Purdue to -13 rush yards. Minnesota is fourth in the country in fewest opponent rush attempts (327), 13th in opponent rush yards (1140), 18th in opponent rushing touchdowns (10) and 23rd in opponent yards per carry (3.49).
4. Following Saturday's 35-14 victory at Indiana, Minnesota is 7-4 on the season and 5-3 in the Big Ten. The Gophers have reached seven wins for the third time in five years under P.J. Fleck's guidance. Prior to Fleck, Minnesota had three seven-win seasons in eight years. In addition, with the win, Minnesota has clinched a .500 or better record in Big Ten play for just the ninth time in the past 50 years. Coupled with a 7-2 league record in 2019, Fleck is the first Gophers coach since Glen Mason (1999 and 2003, five wins each) to win at least five conference games more than once.
5. Fifth-year senior quarterback Tanner Morgan is in his third full season as the Minnesota starter, and he's established himself as the winningest signal-caller to ever wear the Maroon and Gold. Morgan is 25-12 as a starter, breaking the previous mark of 24 career wins held by Mitch Leidner. Morgan has completed 535 (fourth most in school history) of 874 passes (sixth most) for 7,764 yards (second most) and 55 touchdowns (tied for second most) in his career. His career completion percentage of .612 is first in school history, as is his 150.88 efficiency rating, 2.20 touchdown to interception ratio and .676 win percentage.
You can read Minnesota's complete game notes here.
The Rate Bowl Preview Show
Friday, December 19
Coach Fleck Previews Rate Bowl
Wednesday, December 17
Thank You Gopher Fans
Tuesday, December 09
Painting the Axe
Saturday, December 06