Wisconsin Football: Top 30 Games in Wisconsin Badgers History
By Jim Oxley
Nov 29, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; The Wisconsin Badgers celebrate with the Paul Bunyan Axe following the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 34-24. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
#23 Wisconsin vs. #22 Minnesota: October 14, 2005
Wisconsin 38, Minnesota 34
No list of top games in Wisconsin history would be complete without a Battle for Pal Bunyan’s Axe, and the 2005 version may be the best in school history.
Trailing 34-31 with just 30 seconds to play, Minnesota set to punt from deep in their own territory. Punter Justin Kucek dropped the snap, and picked it up to try to get the ball away. Jonathan Casillas blocked the punt. The ball rolled into the endzone, where Ben Strickland pounced on it for a touchdown.
DeAndre Levy jumped on a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, and the Badgers hung on to win in a crazy finish at the Metrodome.
The Badgers scored 21 points in the fourth quarter, including a John Stocco to Brandon Williams touchdown late to pull the Badgers within 3 points.
Stocco threw for 235 yards and a score on the day and Brian Calhoun led the Badgers on the ground with 23 carries for 110 yards and three touchdowns. Williams had seven catches for 121 yards and a score.
The win was a part of the Badgers current streak of 12 straight wins against Minnesta/
Next: 2004: Wisconsin vs. Purdue