Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe: Wisconsin Badgers’ best moments

By Trevor Jossart | Nov 25, 2016

Nov 28, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers players hold up the Paul Bunyan Axe after defeating the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. The Badgers won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

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All the way back in 1894 you have to go for the Badgers’ first victory over the Gophers. Quarterback Theron Lyman helped lead the Badgers to the 6-0 victory, snapping a four game losing streak to Minnesota and securing the team’s first win in the series.

University of Wisconsin football team, 1894 - the first year they beat Minnesota. Photo @UWDigiCollec pic.twitter.com/3rnx4jNkgk
— Chris Drosner (@DrosWSJ) November 18, 2015

Lyman played quarterback for the badgers from 1892-94 and was voted captain in each season he played. In ’94, only two current Big Ten teams were on the Badgers’ schedule, with one being Minnesota of course and the other being the Iowa Hawkeyes.