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Wisconsin at Minnesota

Saturday, November 12, 2011. Wisconsin kept Paul Bunyan’s Axe

No. 16 Wisconsin beat Minnesota 42–⁠13. It was their 121st meeting; after it, Minnesota led the series 57–⁠54–⁠8 in the games on file.

Away16Wisconsin11–⁠3 in 2011
42
HomeMinnesota3–⁠9 in 2011
13

Final at Huntington Bank Stadium, MinneapolisTV: BTNAttendance 49,158

At kickoff
60°F, overcast, wind 14 mph from the southeastWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport (KMSP), 10 km from the stadium, 23 minutes after kickoff

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Wisconsin14147742
Minnesota067013

Standouts

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licenses; credits on each player’s page.

Player stats

Wisconsin

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Russell Wilson16/1717840
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Montee Ball23166229
James White1487019
Russell Wilson719012
Jeffrey Lewis111011
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Nick Toon8100221
Jared Abbrederis227014
Jeff Duckworth117017
Bradie Ewing116016
InterceptionsIntYdsTD
Antonio Fenelus100

Minnesota

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
MarQueis Gray6/145101
Brandon Green0/1000
Max Shortell0/1000
RushingCarYdsTDLong
MarQueis Gray1968013
Duane Bennett82005
Donnell Kirkwood41204
Jordan Wettstein1515
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Da’Jon McKnight434012
Collin McGarry112012
Brandon Green1505

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

WisconsinMinnesota
461Total yards156
186Passing yards58
283Rushing yards105
10.5Yards per pass3.2
6.3Yards per rush3.3
29First downs9
7–⁠10Third downs6–⁠13
0–⁠0Fourth downs2–⁠3
0Turnovers1
3–⁠30Penalties3–⁠20
21:19Possession13:13

Efficiency

WisconsinMinnesota
64%Success rate30%
0.28EPA per play−0.07
0.76Explosiveness0.94
0.24Rushing EPA0.01
0.41Passing EPA−0.21
62%Passing-down success21%
0.23First-down EPA−0.16
0.19Second-down EPA−0.42
0.68Third-down EPA0.46

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings going in

Our ratings (scores only)

Wisconsin 85% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

Every drive

Minnesota end zoneWisconsin end zone MinnesotaTouchdown, 1 playQ1 WisconsinTouchdown pass, 14 playsQ1 MinnesotaPunt, 3 playsQ1 WisconsinTouchdown run, 3 playsQ1 MinnesotaPunt, 3 playsQ1 WisconsinTouchdown pass, 7 playsQ2 MinnesotaTouchdown run, 13 playsQ2 WisconsinPunt, 3 playsQ2 MinnesotaInterception, 5 playsQ2 WisconsinTouchdown pass, 5 playsQ2 MinnesotaEnd of half, 1 playQ3 WisconsinTouchdown pass, 11 playsQ3 MinnesotaPunt, 3 playsQ3 WisconsinPunt, 7 playsQ3 MinnesotaTurnover on downs, 10 playsQ4 WisconsinTouchdown run, 7 playsQ4 MinnesotaPunt, 6 playsQ4 WisconsinFumble, recovered, 5 playsQ4 MinnesotaEnd of game, 4 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Minnesota drives left to right, Wisconsin right to left.
  1. MinnesotaTouchdown, 1 play, 14 yards
  2. Q1 WisconsinTouchdown pass, 14 plays, 81 yards
  3. Q1 MinnesotaPunt, 3 plays, −4 yards
  4. Q1 WisconsinTouchdown run, 3 plays, 51 yards
  5. Q1 MinnesotaPunt, 3 plays, 49 yards
  6. Q1 WisconsinTouchdown pass, 7 plays, 56 yards
  7. Q2 MinnesotaTouchdown run, 13 plays, 60 yards
  8. Q2 WisconsinPunt, 3 plays, 6 yards
  9. Q2 MinnesotaInterception, 5 plays, 20 yards
  10. Q2 WisconsinTouchdown pass, 5 plays, 78 yards
  11. Q2 MinnesotaEnd of half, 1 play, 1 yard
  12. Q3 WisconsinTouchdown pass, 11 plays, 57 yards
  13. Q3 MinnesotaPunt, 3 plays, 5 yards
  14. Q3 WisconsinPunt, 7 plays, 75 yards
  15. Q3 MinnesotaTurnover on downs, 10 plays, 85 yards
  16. Q4 WisconsinTouchdown run, 7 plays, 50 yards
  17. Q4 MinnesotaPunt, 6 plays, 60 yards
  18. Q4 WisconsinFumble, recovered, 5 plays, 79 yards
  19. Q4 MinnesotaEnd of game, 4 plays, 10 yards

Play by play

1st quarter5 drives, then Wisconsin 14, Minnesota 0
Wisconsin Touchdown pass, 14 plays
14:351st & 10 at own 19Russell Wilson rush for 1 yard to the Wisc 20.
13:402nd & 9 at own 20Russell Wilson pass complete to Jared Abbrederis for 13 yards to the Wisc 33 for a 1ST down.
13:251st & 10 at own 33Montee Ball rush for 2 yards to the Wisc 35.
12:402nd & 8 at own 35Russell Wilson sacked by Kyle Henderson for a loss of 5 yards to the Wisc 30.
12:003rd & 13 at own 30Russell Wilson pass complete to Jeff Duckworth for 17 yards to the Wisc 47 for a 1ST down.
11:301st & 10 at own 47Russell Wilson sacked by Gary Tinsley for a loss of 3 yards to the Wisc 44.
11:002nd & 13 at own 44Montee Ball rush for 11 yards to the Minn 45.
10:203rd & 2 at opp 45Montee Ball rush for 2 yards to the Minn 43 for a 1ST down.
9:501st & 10 at opp 43Russell Wilson pass complete to Nick Toon for 14 yards to the Minn 29 for a 1ST down.
9:311st & 10 at opp 29Russell Wilson pass complete to Nick Toon for 5 yards to the Minn 24.
9:012nd & 5 at opp 24James White rush for 11 yards to the Minn 13 for a 1ST down.
8:171st & 10 at opp 13WISCONSIN penalty 10 yard Holding on Peter Konz accepted.
7:581st & 20 at opp 23Russell Wilson pass complete to Jacob Pedersen for 6 yards to the Minn 17.
7:252nd & 14 at opp 17Russell Wilson rush for 12 yards to the Minn 5.
6:523rd & 2 at opp 5Russell Wilson pass complete to Montee Ball for 5 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Wisconsin 6, Minnesota 0
6:52Philip Welch extra point GOOD.Wisconsin 7, Minnesota 0
6:52Philip Welch kickoff for 70 yards for a touchback.
Minnesota Punt, 3 plays
6:441st & 10 at own 20Brandon Green pass incomplete to Eric Lair.
6:152nd & 10 at own 20Marqueis Gray rush for a loss of 4 yards to the Minn 16.
5:583rd & 14 at own 16Marqueis Gray pass incomplete, MINNESOTA penalty Personal Foul declined.
5:514th & 14 at own 16Dan Orseske punt for 35 yards, fair catch by Jared Abbrederis at the Wisc 49.
Wisconsin Touchdown run, 3 plays
5:441st & 10 at own 49Russell Wilson pass complete to Nick Toon for 21 yards to the Minn 30 for a 1ST down.
4:501st & 10 at opp 30Russell Wilson pass complete to Bradie Ewing for 16 yards to the Minn 14 for a 1ST down.
4:271st & 10 at opp 14Montee Ball rush for 14 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Wisconsin 13, Minnesota 0
4:27Philip Welch extra point GOOD.Wisconsin 14, Minnesota 0
4:27Philip Welch kickoff for 66 yards returned by Duane Bennett for 45 yards to the Minn 49.
Minnesota Punt, 3 plays
4:021st & 10 at own 49Marqueis Gray rush for 3 yards to the Wisc 48.
3:362nd & 7 at opp 48Marqueis Gray pass incomplete to Brandon Green.
3:273rd & 7 at opp 48Marqueis Gray pass incomplete to Da’Jon McKnight.
3:134th & 7 at opp 48Dan Orseske punt for 4 yards, downed at the Wisc 44.
Wisconsin Touchdown pass, 7 plays
3:011st & 10 at own 44James White rush for 4 yards to the Wisc 48.
2:252nd & 6 at own 48James White rush for 5 yards to the Minn 47.
1:553rd & 1 at opp 47Montee Ball rush for 2 yards to the Minn 45 for a 1ST down.
1:211st & 10 at opp 45Montee Ball rush for 29 yards to the Minn 16 for a 1ST down.
0:441st & 10 at opp 16James White rush for 2 yards to the Minn 14.
0:102nd & 8 at opp 14James White rush for 5 yards to the Minn 9.
Q2 14:543rd & 3 at opp 9Russell Wilson pass complete to Nick Toon for 9 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Wisconsin 20, Minnesota 0
Q2 14:54Philip Welch extra point GOOD.Wisconsin 21, Minnesota 0
Q2 14:54Philip Welch kickoff for 40 yards returned by John Rabe for 10 yards to the Minn 40.
2nd quarter5 drives, then Wisconsin 28, Minnesota 6
Minnesota Touchdown run, 13 plays
14:151st & 10 at own 40Duane Bennett rush for 4 yards to the Minn 44.
14:052nd & 6 at own 44Duane Bennett rush for 4 yards to the Minn 48.
13:293rd & 2 at own 48Marqueis Gray rush for 4 yards to the Wisc 48 for a 1ST down.
13:001st & 10 at opp 48Marqueis Gray rush for 7 yards to the Wisc 41.
12:152nd & 3 at opp 41Donnell Kirkwood rush for 2 yards to the Wisc 39.
11:303rd & 1 at opp 39Marqueis Gray rush for 13 yards to the Wisc 26 for a 1ST down.
10:451st & 10 at opp 26Duane Bennett rush for 1 yard to the Wisc 25.
10:112nd & 9 at opp 25Marqueis Gray pass complete to Da’Jon McKnight for 7 yards to the Wisc 18.
9:373rd & 2 at opp 18Marqueis Gray pass complete to Da’Jon McKnight for 12 yards to the Wisc 6 for a 1ST down.
9:011st & goal at opp 6Marqueis Gray rush for a loss of 1 yard to the Wisc 7.
8:242nd & goal at opp 7Marqueis Gray rush for 2 yards to the Wisc 5.
7:483rd & goal at opp 5Marqueis Gray pass incomplete to Ed Cotton.
7:414th & goal at opp 5Jordan Wettstein rush for 5 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Wisconsin 21, Minnesota 6
7:41Jordan Wettstein extra point MISSED.
7:41Jordan Wettstein kickoff for 66 yards returned by Jared Abbrederis for 18 yards to the Wisc 22.
Wisconsin Punt, 3 plays
7:161st & 10 at own 22Russell Wilson pass complete to Jacob Pedersen for 4 yards to the Wisc 26.
6:402nd & 6 at own 26Montee Ball rush for a loss of 1 yard to the Wisc 25.
5:453rd & 7 at own 25Russell Wilson rush for 3 yards to the Wisc 28.
5:304th & 4 at own 28Brad Nortman punt for 43 yards, punt out-of-bounds at the Minn 29.
Minnesota Interception, 5 plays
4:561st & 10 at own 29Duane Bennett rush for 5 yards to the Minn 34.
4:442nd & 5 at own 34MINNESOTA penalty 5 yard False Start on John Rabe accepted.
4:162nd & 10 at own 29Marqueis Gray pass complete to Brandon Green for 5 yards to the Minn 34.
3:453rd & 5 at own 34Marqueis Gray pass complete to Collin McGarry for 12 yards to the Minn 46 for a 1ST down.
3:051st & 10 at own 46Duane Bennett rush for 3 yards to the Minn 49.
2:292nd & 7 at own 49Marqueis Gray pass intercepted by Antonio Fenelus at the Wisc 22, returned for no gain to the Wisc 22.
Wisconsin Touchdown pass, 5 plays
2:051st & 10 at own 22Montee Ball rush for 19 yards to the Wisc 41 for a 1ST down.
1:501st & 10 at own 41Montee Ball rush for 7 yards to the Wisc 48.
1:182nd & 3 at own 48Russell Wilson pass complete to Jared Abbrederis for 14 yards to the Minn 38 for a 1ST down.
0:571st & 10 at opp 38Russell Wilson pass complete to Nick Toon for 21 yards to the Minn 17 for a 1ST down.
0:511st & 10 at opp 17Russell Wilson pass complete to Nick Toon for 17 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Wisconsin 28, Minnesota 6
0:51Philip Welch extra point GOOD.
0:51Philip Welch kickoff for 66 yards returned by Malcolm Moulton for 19 yards to the Minn 23.
Minnesota End of half, 1 play
0:151st & 10 at own 23Duane Bennett rush for 1 yard to the Minn 24.
Q3 14:46Philip Welch kickoff for 66 yards returned by Duane Bennett for 96 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Wisconsin 28, Minnesota 12
Q3 14:46Jordan Wettstein extra point GOOD.Wisconsin 28, Minnesota 13
Q3 14:46Jordan Wettstein kickoff for 54 yards returned by Jared Abbrederis for 27 yards to the Wisc 43.
3rd quarter4 drives, then Wisconsin 35, Minnesota 13
Wisconsin Touchdown pass, 11 plays
14:111st & 10 at own 43Montee Ball rush for 14 yards to the Minn 43 for a 1ST down.
13:581st & 10 at opp 43Montee Ball rush for 2 yards to the Minn 41.
13:152nd & 8 at opp 41Russell Wilson pass complete to Nick Toon for 7 yards to the Minn 34.
12:493rd & 1 at opp 34Montee Ball rush for 10 yards to the Minn 24 for a 1ST down.
12:221st & 10 at opp 24Russell Wilson pass complete to Nick Toon for 6 yards to the Minn 18.
11:502nd & 4 at opp 18Montee Ball rush for a loss of 4 yards to the Minn 22.
11:053rd & 8 at opp 22Russell Wilson rush for 9 yards to the Minn 13 for a 1ST down.
10:441st & 10 at opp 13James White rush for a loss of 4 yards to the Minn 17.
10:052nd & 14 at opp 17Montee Ball rush for 15 yards to the Minn 2 for a 1ST down.
9:301st & goal at opp 2Montee Ball rush for a loss of 1 yard to the Minn 2.
8:582nd & goal at opp 3Russell Wilson pass complete to Jacob Pedersen for 3 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Wisconsin 34, Minnesota 13
8:58Philip Welch extra point GOOD.Wisconsin 35, Minnesota 13
8:58Philip Welch kickoff for 44 yards returned by John Rabe for 8 yards to the Minn 34.
Minnesota Punt, 3 plays
8:301st & 10 at own 34Marqueis Gray pass complete to Da’Jon McKnight for 7 yards to the Minn 41.
8:122nd & 3 at own 41MINNESOTA penalty 10 yard Holding on Ed Olson accepted.
7:442nd & 13 at own 31Marqueis Gray pass complete to Da’Jon McKnight for 8 yards to the Minn 39.
6:553rd & 5 at own 39Marqueis Gray rush for no gain to the Minn 39.
6:224th & 5 at own 39Dan Orseske punt for 44 yards, fair catch by Aaron Henry at the Wisc 17.
Wisconsin Punt, 7 plays
6:141st & 10 at own 17Russell Wilson pass incomplete to Nick Toon, broken up by Kyle Henderson.
6:052nd & 10 at own 17James White rush for 19 yards to the Wisc 36 for a 1ST down.
5:301st & 10 at own 36James White rush for 11 yards to the Wisc 47 for a 1ST down.
4:551st & 10 at own 47MINNESOTA penalty 5 yard Offside on Ra’Shede Hageman accepted.
4:331st & 5 at opp 48Montee Ball rush for 6 yards to the Minn 42 for a 1ST down.
4:101st & 10 at opp 42Montee Ball rush for 6 yards to the Minn 36.
3:152nd & 4 at opp 36James White rush for a loss of 3 yards to the Minn 39.
2:453rd & 7 at opp 39WISCONSIN penalty 5 yard Illegal Formation accepted.
2:103rd & 12 at opp 44Russell Wilson rush for 2 yards to the Minn 42.
1:454th & 10 at opp 42Brad Nortman punt for 27 yards, punt out-of-bounds at the Minn 15.
Minnesota Turnover on downs, 10 plays
1:371st & 10 at own 15Marqueis Gray pass incomplete to Da’Jon McKnight.
1:342nd & 10 at own 15Marqueis Gray pass incomplete to Devin Crawford-Tufts.
1:223rd & 10 at own 15Marqueis Gray rush for 11 yards to the Minn 26 for a 1ST down.
0:381st & 10 at own 26Marqueis Gray rush for 7 yards to the Minn 33.
0:112nd & 3 at own 33Marqueis Gray rush for a loss of 1 yard to the Minn 32.
Q4 14:453rd & 4 at own 32Marqueis Gray rush for 9 yards to the Minn 41 for a 1ST down.
Q4 14:051st & 10 at own 41Duane Bennett rush for 2 yards to the Minn 43.
Q4 13:462nd & 8 at own 43Marqueis Gray pass incomplete to Malcolm Moulton.
Q4 13:253rd & 8 at own 43Marqueis Gray rush for 7 yards to the 50 yard line.
Q4 12:564th & 1 at the 50Timeout MINNESOTA, clock 12:56.
Q4 12:504th & 1 at the 50Duane Bennett rush for no gain to the 50 yard line.
4th quarter4 drives, then Wisconsin 42, Minnesota 13
Wisconsin Touchdown run, 7 plays
12:361st & 10 at the 50Montee Ball rush for 8 yards to the Minn 42.
12:152nd & 2 at opp 42Montee Ball rush for 2 yards to the Minn 40 for a 1ST down.
11:411st & 10 at opp 40Montee Ball rush for 8 yards to the Minn 32.
11:052nd & 2 at opp 32Montee Ball rush for 4 yards to the Minn 28 for a 1ST down.
10:281st & 10 at opp 28James White rush for 17 yards to the Minn 11 for a 1ST down.
9:441st & 10 at opp 11Montee Ball rush for 8 yards to the Minn 3.
9:072nd & 2 at opp 3Montee Ball rush for 3 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Wisconsin 41, Minnesota 13
9:07Philip Welch extra point GOOD.Wisconsin 42, Minnesota 13
9:07Philip Welch kickoff for 48 yards returned by John Rabe for 10 yards to the Minn 32.
Minnesota Punt, 6 plays
8:401st & 10 at own 32Marqueis Gray rush for 5 yards to the Minn 37.
8:172nd & 5 at own 37Marqueis Gray rush for 6 yards to the Minn 43 for a 1ST down.
7:351st & 10 at own 43Marqueis Gray rush for 3 yards to the Wisc 39, WISCONSIN penalty 15 yard Personal Foul on Mike Taylor accepted for a 1ST down.
7:181st & 10 at opp 39Marqueis Gray rush for 3 yards to the Wisc 36.
6:382nd & 7 at opp 36Marqueis Gray rush for 1 yard to the Wisc 35.
5:343rd & 6 at opp 35Marqueis Gray sacked by Beau Allen for a loss of 7 yards to the Wisc 42.
5:134th & 13 at opp 42Dan Orseske punt for 42 yards for a touchback.
Wisconsin Fumble, recovered, 5 plays
5:011st & 10 at own 20James White rush for 14 yards to the Wisc 34 for a 1ST down.
4:221st & 10 at own 34Jeffrey Lewis rush for 11 yards to the Wisc 45 for a 1ST down.
3:451st & 10 at own 45James White rush for 5 yards to the 50 yard line.
2:582nd & 5 at the 50James White rush for a loss of 1 yard to the Wisc 49.
2:123rd & 6 at own 49James White rush for 2 yards to the Minn 49.
1:344th & 4 at opp 49Timeout WISCONSIN, clock 1:34.
1:224th & 4 at opp 49Brad Nortman punt for 33 yards, returned by Brandon Green for no gain, fumbled, recovered by Minn Brandon Green at the Minn 15.
Minnesota End of game, 4 plays
0:581st & 10 at own 15Donnell Kirkwood rush for 4 yards to the Minn 19.
0:382nd & 6 at own 19Donnell Kirkwood rush for 2 yards to the Minn 21.
0:053rd & 4 at own 21Max Shortell pass incomplete to Devin Crawford-Tufts.
0:014th & 4 at own 21Donnell Kirkwood rush for 4 yards to the Minn 25 for a 1ST down.

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

The series

Every Wisconsin–Minnesota game

Officially, Minnesota leads 64–⁠63–⁠8; as played, 63–⁠62–⁠8 in the 133 games on file; the official count covers all 135 meetings, counting the 14 since this game.

Recent meetings
2025Minnesota 17, Wisconsin 7
2024Minnesota 24, Wisconsin 7
2023Wisconsin 28, Minnesota 14
2022Minnesota 23, Wisconsin 16
2021Minnesota 23, Wisconsin 13
2020Wisconsin 20, Minnesota 17

Around this game

Wisconsin

Minnesota

Ranked games that day

Every game of Week 11