Charlie Healy
Football
Each week it seems to get tougher for Wisconsin, and each week they step up and get a win. After beating Michigan State in their Big Ten opener, the Badgers beat a tougher Minnesota team in their first road game of the season. Wisconsin, now 5-0 faces yet another tough opponent Saturday as they travel to Columbus to face #9 Ohio State.
Saturday at Minnesota was the first Big Ten game at the new TCF Bank Stadium. While it was a new venue, the story of the nation’s oldest football rivalry remained the same. Wisconsin survived several late comebacks by Minnesota to win 31-28. It was another game that the Badgers almost let slip away, yet somehow hung on for the win.
With 6:50 left in the 4th quarter, Wisconsin was winning 24-13, on Minnesota’s 20 yard line and poised to put the game away. That’s when Zach Brown had an 8 yard rush before fumbling the football, and Minnesota returned it 88 yards for the touchdown. Minnesota converted the 2-point conversion, and just like that, it was 24-21.
Wisconsin then marched down the field and scored a touchdown on a John Clay 1-yard run. With 3:00 left, Minnesota was down 31-21. On their first play, quarterback Adam Weber completed a 40 yard pass to Eric Decker. On the next play, Weber completed a 38 yard pass to Ni Tow-Arnett. Just like that, it was first and goal from the 2. Minnesota scored, and it was 31-28.
Finally Wisconsin was able to put Minnesota away and return to Madison with Paul Bunyan’s Axe for another season. Running back John Clay and defensive end O’Brien Schofield were each named Big Ten Players of the Week for their play at Minnesota. Clay ran for 184 yards and three touchdowns while Schofield forced a fumble, had 6 tackles and 2 sacks.
Ohio State is next for Wisconsin, as they travel to the Horseshoe for an even tougher road test. Reports out of Columbus are saying that several Ohio State players have had limited practice time due to flu-like symptoms. Earlier this year Wisconsin had a similar issue, with nearly 40 players out the week of Fresno State. It will be interesting to see how this effects Ohio State’s play.
