Minnesota 7, Wisconsin 20

The Gophers fall to the Badgers 20-7 today in Minneapolis. This loss drops the Gophers to 8-3 on the season (and 4-3 in the B1G).  The Gophers needed to play a near perfect game today to beat Wisconsin, they didn't, they lost 3 fumbles, dropped way too many passes and were way too inconsistent on offense.  In the end, it's obvious that the better team won.  It's really hard not to see progress with the program though, despite their errors they kept it close, the defense played well and they battled to the end, I like what I'm seeing. 

Observations:

• Tracy Claeys was acting head coach once again. As they say, if it ain't broke. 
• Jerry Kill was in the coaching booth again, I'll assume he is next week too. 
• The Gopher passing game was non-existent today.  
• David Cobb cracked the 1000 yard mark!  First Gopher to do so since 2006. 
• A perfect game was needed to win today, they didn't have a perfect game.  
• The Gopher defense played well against a very good Wisconsin offense. 
• I'd like to see the Gophers use both QB's more, especially if one is struggling. 
• Philip Nelson finished 7 of 23 for 83 yards, 0 TD's and a QBR of 6.2. 
• Roland Johnson is very underrated, he will be missed next year.  
• The Gophers really seemed to miss Derrick Engel today. 
• Time of Possession:  Wisconsin 35:11, Minnesota 24:49. 
• Wisconsin was held to their lowest point and yard totals of their season today.
• Chris Borland is a heckuva football player, thankfully he is a senior.  
• Let's give the Badgers defense some credit for the Gophers offensive struggles.  
• That Wisconsin fake punt attempt was laughably inept. 
• It looked cold in Minneapolis today.  Still had largest TCF Bank Stadium crowd ever!
• I fear that the Badgers came out on top of this Bielma/Andersen coaching change. 
• The Paul Bunyan Axe stays in Madison for the 10th straight year. 
• What a huge recruiting weekend for the Gophers!
• Up next?  @ Michigan State next week to close the regular season.