MADISON, Wis. (AP) – For once, elusive running back Melvin Gordon got stuck in a crowd on the field.
It happened at Minnesota on Nov. 23, 2013, a 20-7 victory for Wisconsin. The Badgers won their 10th straight in the not-so-friendly Big Ten rivalry. Some pushing and shoving ensued after Wisconsin claimed Paul Bunyan’s Axe for another year.
Expect another chippy affair Saturday when No. 22 Minnesota (8-3, 5-2) and No. 14 Wisconsin (9-2, 6-1) meet again – and not just for that old-fashioned trophy.
The winner claims the Big Ten West crown and a berth in next week’s league title game against East Division champion Ohio State.
“It’s a rivalry game, neither of us like each other. … Let’s not try to sugarcoat it,” said Gordon, the Badgers’ Heisman Trophy candidate.