Wisconsin 34, Minnesota 24

The Gophers fell to the Badgers 34-24 today in Madison.  The Gophers finish their regular season with a 8-4 record. The Gophers offense was just way too one dimensional today, once the Badgers took away their running game, they really had no chance.  8 wins is quite the accomplishment though, they continue to show improvement every year under Jerry Kill.  To take that next leap though, they will need to find a way to improve their passing game.  It was a good effort, they played hard, but in the end I do think that the better team won.

Observations:

• Minnesota was up 17-3, then were outscored 31-7 the rest of the way. 
• There were a lot of questionable calls that went against the Gophers today. 
• There is no holding Gopher RB David Cobb back!  118 yards rushing. 
• Why did it take so long to get Maxx Williams involved?  
• That horrible hands to the face call on Tommy Olson probably cost the Gophers 4 points. 
• I'm not quite sure why the Gophers punted down 2 scores late in the game.  
• Total Yards:  Wisconsin 450, Minnesota 272
• Passing Yards:  Wisconsin 215, Minnesota 95 
• Mitch Leidner runs the ball so much better than he throws it.  
• That fumble by David Cobb resulted in a six point swing to close the first half.  
• The lack of a Gophers pass rush gave Joel Stave way too much time to throw.  
• The Gophers defense continued to struggle on 3rd and long. 
• Peter Mortell averaged 51 yards per punt on 7 punts.  All Big Ten?  
• Today was the first time that Jerry Kill had lost at Minnesota when leading at halfime.
• Are there 2 bigger kickers in the country than Rafael Gaglianone & Ryan Santoso? 
• Wisconsin WR Alex Erickson really killed the Gophers today.   
• These B1G running backs are just unbelievable!  David Cobb included. 
• I got nervous everytime that Melvin Gordon touched the football.  Heisman? 
• The Badgers will be in good hands when Corey Clement takes over for Gordan next year.
• On the bright side, the Gophers did beat the spread. 
• The Paul Bunyan Axe stays in Madison for at least one more year.  
• Up next?   Bowl game, time and place yet TBD.