Minnesota hoped this was the year it would end Wisconsin's long winning streak against the Gophers, and when Briean Boddy-Calhoun had a pick-six on the Badgers' first play, it appeared as though maybe just maybe this was UM's year.
Alas, it was not to be.
Wisconsin found its groove early in its run game and Minnesota turned the ball over five times as the Badgers won for the 12th time over the Gophers, 31-21.
A recap of Saturday's game:
-- The Gophers failed to convert a first down in their first seven third-down chances and finished 3 of 12 in the game. In addition, Minnesota had zero first downs in the third quarter.
-- Meanwhile, Minnesota struggled to keep Wisconsin off the field. The Badgers converted their first five third-down conversions and at one point were 8 of 11.
-- Late in the third quarter, Minnesota appeared to want to go for it on 4th-and-2 from Wisconsin's 40-yard line. But the Gophers kept looking to the sideline for a play call -- it appeared to be a fake-out to try to get Wisconsin to go offsides, but by not lining up and trying a hard count, it's hard to imagine that happening (and in fact it didn't; Minnesota was called for delay of game then punted).
-- Minnesota just never could get a run game going. The Gophers ran just 18 times for 53 yards (2.9 average) with a long run of only 8 yards.
-- The Gophers turned the ball over five times (three interceptions, two fumbles), resulting in 17 Wisconsin points as well as the Badgers being able to run out the clock at the end of the game.
-- After cutting the lead to 31-21, Minnesota attempted an onside kick. Andrew Harte's kick was 3 yards short of the 10 necessary. The Gophers were 0 for 4 on onside kicks this year and never really had a shot on any of them, due to poor execution or a kick right at an opponent.
-- Senior linebacker De'Vondre Campbell finished his time at Minnesota by tying his career high with 13 tackles.
-- With Minnesota missing key players in the middle of its defensive line, Wisconsin attacked the Gophers on the ground. Of the Badgers' first 24 plays, 21 were rushes. In the first half, Wisconsin had 35 carries and just six pass attempts.
-- Minnesota's five turnovers were its most since it had five against TCU on Sept. 13, 2014. The Gophers haven't had a minus-4 turnover ratio since against Iowa on Sept. 29, 2012.
-- Mitch Leidner averaged 13.9 yards per completion, with four receivers -- Shannon Brooks (38), Nick Hart (30), Miles Thomas (24) and Drew Wolitarsky (27) -- having catches of more than 20 yards.
-- Minnesota came out in the second half and had just 12 plays in its first four drives for a total of 20 yards. One ended in an interception and three in punts. The fifth drive of the half went 38 yards in three plays, but also ended in an interception.
Another year, another loss to Wisconsin. Twelve in a row. That certainly doesn't sit well in Minnesota, which must wonder what it must do to finally beat the Badgers and reclaim Paul Bunyan's Axe. Of a more short-term concern, a win would have clinched a Minnesota appearance in a bowl.
Linebacker Nick Rallis had five tackles all season -- and three came in one game -- but was called on due to an injury to Cody Poock. He finished with nine tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss, which were half of all of Minnesota's TFLs. Not bad for an emergency fill-in.
Early on it sure looked like Briean Boddy-Calhoun could be the player of the game, after he stepped in front of Joel Stave's pass -- on Wisconsin's first play from scrimmage -- intercepting it and returning it for a touchdown. Alas, the momentum wouldn't last. Boddy-Calhoun did add two pass breakups to help solidify his status in the game.
Minnesota tied the game at 14 then forced Wisconsin to punt. Rodney Smith gained 15 yards on two carries before Mitch Leidner kept it on a run and fumbled, Wisconsin recovering. The Badgers had it at the Minnesota 34 and four rushes later scored to take the lead for good. It didn't help that K.J. Maye fumbled on the Gophers' next possession as well, with the Badgers getting a touchdown on that ensuing drive as well.
19:25 -- Time of possession for Minnesota. This statistic is largely overrated, but it really speaks to the ball control Wisconsin had in this game. The Gophers barely had the ball as the Badgers ran 79 plays to Minnesota's 55 (and it was 41-21 in the first half). Minnesota had only one drive longer than 1:53 (a 4:23 drive in the first half which ended in a touchdown). Eleven Gophers drives were less than a minute and a half.
"We didn't quit. We came out at halftime and said we are better than this. We need to play the way we are capable of and give it our best and see what happens. I thought defensively in the second half we gave ourselves a chance. Just didn't make enough plays at the end." -- Minnesota head coach Tracy Claeys
"We did our best, we battled. You can't ask for anything more. We just went out there and played our hardest for our seniors, and the outcome is the outcome. A few mistakes, a few things that hurt us, but I'm not going to say I'm disappointed. I think that we did a great job, we fought, we battled hard against every team. So, I'm not disappointed. I'm looking forward to next year." -- Minnesota wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky
Minnesota finishes its regular season at 5-7. While a few sub-.500 teams will play in a bowl game due to lack of bowl-eligible teams, it would be a shock if the Gophers were one of them. For all intents and purposes, the book is closed on Minnesota's 2015 season.
