Wisconsin

Wisconsin at Minnesota: Four things to watch as Badgers look to get Paul Bunyan’s Axe back

Published

1 year ago

November 24, 2023

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Wisconsin at Minnesota: Four things to watch as Badgers look to get Paul Bunyan’s Axe back

WISCONSIN (6-5, 4-4 BIG TEN) AT MINNESOTA (5-6, 3-5)

When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Huntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis.

TV: FS1 with Jeff Levering (play-by-play) and Mark Helfrich (analysis).

Radio: FM-97.3 and AM-920 in Milwaukee and a state network with Matt Lepay (play-by-play), Mark Tauscher (analysis) and Patrick Herb (sideline).

Line: UW by 2.

Series: Tied, 62-62-8. Gophers lead, 38-27-2, in Minneapolis.

Coaches: Luke Fickell (7-5, first full season; 70-30, seventh season overall) vs. Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck (49-33, seventh season; 79-55, 11^th overall).

FOUR THINGS TO WATCH

Can the Gophers run the ball, control the clock and keep UW’s offense on the sideline?

The loss of tailback Darius Taylor, who has missed the last four games because of a leg injury, has hurt Minnesota’s ground game. In Big Ten play, the Gophers are averaging just 125.9 rushing yards per game and have only four rushing touchdowns in eight games. If Taylor returns this week, can he help the Gophers against a UW defense that is allowing 157.6 rushing yards per game in league play? That vulnerable run defense is UW’s greatest liability. Whether the Gophers can take advantage of that weakness is unknown.

UW’s defense must do a better job this season containing Minnesota quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis

When the teams met last season in Madison, Minnesota quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis hurt UW with his arm and his feet. Kaliakmanis passed for 319 yards and two touchdowns, including a 45-yard strike that broke a 16-16 tie with 3 minutes 40 seconds remaining. He also rushed four times for 39 yards, though he finished with only 14 yards because of three sacks. Kaliakmanis is averaging only 151.9 passing yards per game this season but has 13 touchdown passes and two rushing touchdowns. “I do think that offensively they’ve got weapons,” Fickell said. “They’ve got a receiver corps that I think is dangerous and can make some plays. … The quarterback is a good athlete. The quarterback can make every throw.”

Will Wisconsin’s depth be tested? The status of Hunter Wohler, Will Pauling and Bryson Green is TBD.

Fickell wasn’t certain early in the week whether safety Hunter Wohler, wide receiver Will Pauling and wide receiver Bryson Green would be healthy enough to play and be productive against the Gophers. Wohler left the Nebraska game in the first half and did not return. If he did suffer a concussion, he will have to pass the medical protocol to play. Pauling suffered an apparent ankle injury late in the fourth quarter against Nebraska. Green didn’t play against the Cornhuskers because of an unspecified injury suffered against Northwestern. And how effective will Braelon Allen be? Battling an ankle injury, he rushed 22 times for 62 yards and two touchdowns in the victory over Nebraska, though he clearly wasn’t at full-strength. Allen missed the Minnesota game last season because of an ankle injury and was limited to 47 yards on 17 carries in a 23-13 loss two seasons ago.

UW cannot stumble out of the gate, which has been a problem

Yes, the Badgers overcame an early 14-0 deficit last week against Nebraska. Yes, the mettle the players displayed was commendable. But the Badgers lost to Indiana and Northwestern in large part because they fell behind early. Minnesota isn’t a juggernaut, but falling behind early on the road would not be wise. Fickell noted this week that he isn’t sure UW would have been able to overcome the 14-0 deficit against Nebraska had the game been on the road. “Saturday did not start off the way we had envisioned,” he said. “And to be honest with you, had we not had the environment we had Saturday night, had we not had that student section and the fans, I’m not sure we pull through.”

More: Which bowl game will Wisconsin play? Many experts zero in on one in particular

More: Wisconsin football set to meet Pittsburgh in Ireland in 2027

HISTORY LESSON

Ten years ago, UW’s first-year coach was Gary Andersen.

His first taste of the Border Battle came on Nov. 23 in Minneapolis.

Temperature at kickoff was 18 degrees.

The Badgers entered the day 5-1 in the Big Ten and 8-2 overall. The Gophers came in at 4-2 in the league and 8-2 overall.

Minnesota spotted the visitors a 3-0 lead on Jack Russell’s 31-yard field goal but took a 7-3 lead when Aaron Hill intercepted Joel Stave’s pass and raced 39 yards for a touchdown just 1 minute 31 seconds into the second quarter.

UW controlled the game after that.

James White scored on a 1-yard run and Russell added 20-yard field goal to help UW take a 13-7 halftime lead.

Stave found Jared Abbrederis for a 2-yard score to cap an 83-yard drive in the third quarter and the Badgers’ defense did the rest.

UW’s defense limited the Gophers to 11 first downs and 185 total yards.

White rushed 26 times for 125 yards and Melvin Gordon added 69 yards on 12 carries for UW.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Badgers have allowed a total of 730 passing yards in the second half of games this season. That is an average of 66.4 yards and the fewest in the country. UW has not allowed a touchdown in the second half of its three games in November. Indiana scored three points after halftime, Northwestern scored none and Nebraska got a field goal.

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Wisconsin

Better Know A Badger – 2025 four-star lineman Hardy Watts

Published

19 minutes ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Better Know A Badger – 2025 four-star lineman Hardy Watts

MADISON, Wis. – It turned out that Luke Fickell had no reason to worry.

The University of Wisconsin head coach was hopeful that the results on the field wouldn’t cause members of his highly ranked third recruiting class to start rethinking their commitment or, worse yet, reopen their decision-making process entirely.

From the time the Badgers’ 2024 season ended without a bowl game for the first time in 23 years to the first day of the early signing period, Wisconsin’s staff only saw one prospect de-commit. Twenty-three kids signed paperwork to join Fickell’s program, a class that ranks 20th in the Rivals.com rankings with 10 four-star recruits from eight different states.

“To see guys not waver,” Fickell said. “That faith and belief that the games and what you see on Saturday isn’t everything. For those guys to hold with us and believe in us … relationships, trust, and belief in this process still win out.”

Adding depth to the offensive line, we look at the signing of Brookline (MA) Dexter’s Hardy Watts and how his addition improves the program.

Stats

Watts worked all over the offensive line during his high school career, but he spent this past season working primarily at right tackle. It was a position that his school needed him to play and the spot where he felt the most comfortable. It benefited him, as Watts earned all-conference recognition.

“I think I improved my chemistry and my ability to work as part of a unit, rather than making plays and flashy blocks,” Watts said. “I was learning the footwork of certain types of blocking and steps. I really refined what was already there and brought it back to working as part of a unit, making sure I am not messing up any assignments, and consistency.”

Recruiting Competition

The 17th commitment in Wisconsin’s 2025 class, Watts committed to the Badgers over a top group that included Clemson and Michigan. Watts also had two dozen offers from Power-Four schools like Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Penn State, Tennessee, and Texas A&M.

“There were a few schools that never stopped pursuing me,” Watts said. “They were some new schools that came forward with an offer, but I just politely declined, explained to them the situation that I was locked in and wasn’t going anywhere.”

Recruiting Story

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Dec. 24, 2024

Published

9 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Wisconsin Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Dec. 24, 2024

The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 24, 2024, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

11-14-38-45-46, Mega Ball: 03, Megaplier: 3

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

Midday: 7-9-6

Evening: 2-0-2

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

Midday: 9-8-7-5

Evening: 6-3-7-0

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning All or Nothing numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

Midday: 03-04-06-07-09-10-14-16-17-18-19

Evening: 02-05-07-08-12-13-17-18-19-20-21

Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Badger 5 numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

05-19-22-23-24

Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning SuperCash numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

02-03-06-30-31-34, Doubler: N

Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.

Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?

No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.

When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin RB enters transfer portal. NCAA waiver gives senior another year of eligibility

Published

16 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

Wisconsin RB enters transfer portal. NCAA waiver gives senior another year of eligibility

MADISON – A recent court ruling has opened the door for former junior college players to gain another year of NCAA eligibility.

It appears that Tawee Walker is going to take advantage of the opportunity.

According to On3, Wisconsin’s senior running back will enter the transfer portal in search of a home for next season. The news came one day after the NCAA approved a blanket waiver granting one more year of eligibility to athletes who competed at a non-NCAA school for one or more years and would have otherwise exhausted their eligibility during the 2024-25 school year.

Walker fits the bill. He played the the 2021 season at Palomar College. a junior college in San Marcos, California, before competing for Oklahoma in 2022 and ’23 and Wisconsin this season. The NCAA counts his junior college season towards his four years of college eligibility.

The waiver stems from a case brought forward by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia. A Tennessee court ruled that counting the two seasons he played at a junior college toward his NCAA eligibility violated the Sherman Antitrust Act.

Walker, a 5-foot-9, 218-pound Las Vegas native, led the Badgers with 864 yards in 190 carries, a 4.5-yard average, and scored 10 touchdowns.

He begin the season sharing the No. 1 tailback role with Chez Mellusi and blossomed after Mellusi took what proved to be a permanent leave Oct. 3.

As Wisconsin’s primary ball carrier Walker ran for 718 yards in 152 carries, a 4.7-yard average, with nine touchdowns.

His best stretch was a three-game run against Purdue, Rutgers and Northwestern when he gained 418 yards in 66 carries, a 6.3-yard average, and scored six times.

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