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Wisconsin at Minnesota

Saturday, November 27, 2021. Minnesota took Paul Bunyan’s Axe from Wisconsin

Minnesota beat No. 18 Wisconsin 23–⁠13. It was their 131st meeting; after it, Wisconsin led the series 62–⁠59–⁠8 in the games on file.

Away18Wisconsin9–⁠4 in 2021
13
HomeMinnesota9–⁠4 in 2021
23

Final at Huntington Bank Stadium, MinneapolisTV: FOXAttendance 49,736

At kickoff
41°F, a few clouds, wind 11 mph from the northwestWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport (KMSP), 10 km from the stadium, seven minutes before kickoff
Official
Ron SnodgrassGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Wisconsin0103013
Minnesota3314323

Standouts

  • DefenseLeo Chenal14 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 1.5 for lossWisconsin

Player stats

Wisconsin

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Graham Mertz21/3817101
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Braelon Allen1747014
Graham Mertz3905
Brady Schipper1505
Danny Davis III1101
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Danny Davis III560017
Kendric Pryor533011
Jake Ferguson427011
Brady Schipper222016
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Leo Chenal141.50.50
Nick Herbig8000
Jack Sanborn70.50.50
Keeanu Benton6220
Scott Nelson3001

Minnesota

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Tanner Morgan11/1619911
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Ky Thomas1855112
Mar’Keise Irving123909
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Brevyn Spann-Ford362030
Mar’Keise Irving239036
Chris Autman-Bell237127
Dylan Wright127027
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Jack Gibbens10100
Mariano Sori-Marin70.500
Tyler Nubin5000
Justin Walley5001

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

Team stats

WisconsinMinnesota
233Total yards274
171Passing yards199
62Rushing yards75
4.5Yards per pass12.4
2.8Yards per rush2.0
17First downs16
4–⁠14Third downs5–⁠11
1–⁠3Fourth downs0–⁠0
1Turnovers1
8–⁠73Penalties7–⁠82
29:50Possession30:10
3Sacks (by defense)0

Efficiency

WisconsinMinnesota
31%Success rate36%
−0.15EPA per play0.06
0.82Explosiveness1.34
−0.06Rushing EPA−0.12
−0.21Passing EPA0.38
27%Passing-down success39%
−0.20First-down EPA−0.24
0.01Second-down EPA0.20
−0.17Third-down EPA0.50
14%Havoc by its defense14%

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 and the line, going in

Our ratings (scores only)

Wisconsin 54% to win. Minnesota pulled the upset.

The line

Wisconsin −7, over/under 39.

The last line on file before kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.

Before kickoff, the win chances were Wisconsin 68%, Minnesota 32%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.

Every drive

Minnesota end zoneWisconsin end zoneQ1 MinnesotaField goal, 14 playsQ1 WisconsinField goal, 15 playsQ2 MinnesotaPick-six, 1 play (Wisconsin scores)Q2 MinnesotaField goal, 8 playsQ2 WisconsinPunt, 9 playsQ2 MinnesotaPunt, 6 playsQ2 WisconsinPunt, 3 playsQ2 MinnesotaEnd of half, 1 playQ3 WisconsinInterception, 3 playsQ3 MinnesotaTouchdown, 2 playsQ3 WisconsinField goal, 11 playsQ3 MinnesotaTouchdown, 7 playsQ3 WisconsinPunt, 3 playsQ3 MinnesotaPunt, 3 playsQ4 WisconsinMissed FG, 7 playsQ4 MinnesotaField goal, 9 playsQ4 WisconsinTurnover on downs, 8 playsQ4 MinnesotaPunt, 3 playsQ4 WisconsinTurnover on downs, 4 playsQ4 MinnesotaEnd of game, 2 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. Q1 MinnesotaField goal, 14 plays, 65 yards
  2. Q1 WisconsinField goal, 15 plays, 85 yards
  3. Q2 MinnesotaPick-six, 1 play (Wisconsin scores), 0 yards
  4. Q2 MinnesotaField goal, 8 plays, 53 yards
  5. Q2 WisconsinPunt, 9 plays, 40 yards
  6. Q2 MinnesotaPunt, 6 plays, 26 yards
  7. Q2 WisconsinPunt, 3 plays, 5 yards
  8. Q2 MinnesotaEnd of half, 1 play, −1 yard
  9. Q3 WisconsinInterception, 3 plays, 3 yards
  10. Q3 MinnesotaTouchdown, 2 plays, 28 yards
  11. Q3 WisconsinField goal, 11 plays, 66 yards
  12. Q3 MinnesotaTouchdown, 7 plays, 74 yards
  13. Q3 WisconsinPunt, 3 plays, 8 yards
  14. Q3 MinnesotaPunt, 3 plays, 2 yards
  15. Q4 WisconsinMissed FG, 7 plays, 38 yards
  16. Q4 MinnesotaField goal, 9 plays, 52 yards
  17. Q4 WisconsinTurnover on downs, 8 plays, 21 yards
  18. Q4 MinnesotaPunt, 3 plays, −2 yards
  19. Q4 WisconsinTurnover on downs, 4 plays, 9 yards
  20. Q4 MinnesotaEnd of game, 2 plays, −8 yards

Play by play

1st quarter2 drives, then Minnesota 3, Wisconsin 0
Minnesota Field goal, 14 plays
15:00Collin Larsh kickoff for 48 yds
15:001st & 10 at own 25WISCONSIN Penalty, Targeting on WILDER, Collin enforced (Collin Wilder) to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down
15:003rd & 1 at opp 18Ky Thomas run for 2 yds to the Wisc 16 for a 1ST down
15:001st & 10 at opp 16Mar’Keise Irving run for no gain to the Wisc 16
15:002nd & 10 at opp 16Tanner Morgan pass incomplete
15:003rd & 10 at opp 16Tanner Morgan pass complete to Brevyn Spann-Ford for 6 yds to the Wisc 10
15:001st & 10 at the 50Ky Thomas run for 4 yds to the Wisc 46
15:002nd & 6 at opp 46Tanner Morgan run for 2 yds to the Wisc 44
15:003rd & 4 at opp 44Tanner Morgan run for 5 yds to the Wisc 39 for a 1ST down
15:001st & 10 at opp 39Tanner Morgan pass complete to Mar’Keise Irving for 3 yds to the Wisc 36
15:002nd & 7 at opp 36Ky Thomas run for 1 yd to the Wisc 35
15:003rd & 6 at opp 35Tanner Morgan pass complete to Mike Brown-Stephens for 8 yds to the Wisc 27 for a 1ST down
15:001st & 10 at opp 27Ky Thomas run for 1 yd to the Wisc 26
15:002nd & 9 at opp 26Tanner Morgan pass complete to Daniel Jackson for 8 yds to the Wisc 18
7:294th & 4 at opp 10Matthew Trickett 28 yd FG GOODMinnesota 3, Wisconsin 0
Wisconsin Field goal, 15 plays
7:29Dragan Kesich kickoff for 65 yds , Stephan Bracey return for 16 yds to the Wisc 8
7:291st & 10 at own 8Graham Mertz pass complete to Danny Davis III for 17 yds to the Wisc 25 for a 1ST down
7:291st & 10 at own 25Braelon Allen run for 3 yds to the Wisc 28
7:292nd & 7 at own 28Graham Mertz pass complete to Danny Davis III for 6 yds to the Wisc 34
7:293rd & 1 at own 34Braelon Allen run for 1 yd to the Wisc 35 for a 1ST down
7:291st & 10 at own 35ALLEN, Braelon rush up the middle for a gain of 17 yards to the UMN48 (HOWDEN, Jordan). PENALTY WIS Holding on CHENAL, John enforced 10 yards from the WIS35 to the WIS25. NO PLAY (replay the down).
7:291st & 20 at own 25Graham Mertz pass complete to Kendric Pryor for 4 yds to the Wisc 29
7:292nd & 16 at own 29Graham Mertz pass complete to Kendric Pryor for 11 yds to the Wisc 40
7:293rd & 5 at own 40MERTZ, Graham pass to the left incomplete intended for PRYOR, Kendric thrown to the WIS50. PENALTY UMN Personal Foul on MAFE, Boye enforced 15 yards from the WIS40 to the UMN45 and results in automatic 1ST DOWN [SG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
7:291st & 10 at opp 45Graham Mertz pass complete to Braelon Allen for 2 yds to the Minn 43
7:292nd & 8 at opp 43Braelon Allen run for 7 yds to the Minn 36
7:293rd & 1 at opp 36Braelon Allen run for 2 yds to the Minn 34 for a 1ST down
7:291st & 10 at opp 34Braelon Allen run for 3 yds to the Minn 31
0:002nd & 7 at opp 31Graham Mertz pass complete to Chimere Dike for 17 yds to the Minn 14 for a 1ST down
Q2 15:00Timeout WISCONSIN, clock 15:00
Q2 15:001st & 10 at opp 14Braelon Allen run for 1 yd to the Minn 13
Q2 15:002nd & 9 at opp 13MERTZ, Graham sacked for a loss of 6 yards at the UMN19 (MAFE, Boye). PENALTY UMN Holding on DURR, Coney enforced half the distance from the goal, 7 yards from the UMN13 to the UMN6 and results in automatic 1ST DOWN [SG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
Q2 15:002nd & 2 at opp 6WISCONSIN Penalty, Illegal Formation (TEAM) to the Minn 11
Q2 15:002nd & 7 at opp 11Graham Mertz pass complete to Braelon Allen for 4 yds to the Minn 7
Q2 15:003rd & 3 at opp 7Graham Mertz pass incomplete
Q2 12:374th & 3 at opp 7Collin Larsh 25 yd FG GOODTied at 3
Q2 12:37Collin Larsh kickoff for 52 yds , Phillip Howard return for 10 yds to the Minn 23
Q2 12:221st & 10 at own 23Scott Nelson 26 Yd Interception Return (Collin Larsh Kick)Wisconsin 10, Minnesota 3
2nd quarter5 drives, then Wisconsin 10, Minnesota 6
Minnesota Field goal, 8 plays
12:22Collin Larsh kickoff for 52 yds , Mar’Keise Irving return for 21 yds to the Minn 34
12:221st & 10 at own 34Ky Thomas run for 1 yd to the Minn 35
12:222nd & 9 at own 35Tanner Morgan pass complete to Mar’Keise Irving for 36 yds to the Wisc 29 for a 1ST down
12:221st & 10 at opp 29Mar’Keise Irving run for 9 yds to the Wisc 20
12:222nd & 1 at opp 20Mar’Keise Irving run for 4 yds to the Wisc 16 for a 1ST down
12:221st & 10 at opp 16Ky Thomas run for 2 yds to the Wisc 14
12:222nd & 8 at opp 14Ky Thomas run for 1 yd to the Wisc 13
12:223rd & 7 at opp 13Tanner Morgan pass incomplete
8:194th & 7 at opp 13Matthew Trickett 31 yd FG GOODWisconsin 10, Minnesota 6
Wisconsin Punt, 9 plays
8:191st & 10 at own 25WISCONSIN Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the Wisc 20
8:19Dragan Kesich kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
8:191st & 15 at own 20Graham Mertz pass incomplete
8:192nd & 15 at own 20Graham Mertz pass complete to Braelon Allen for 3 yds to the Wisc 23
8:193rd & 12 at own 23MERTZ, Graham pass up the middle incomplete intended for PRYOR, Kendric thrown to the WIS38. PENALTY UMN Pass Interference on WALLEY, Justin enforced 15 yards to the WIS38 and results in automatic 1ST DOWN [SG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
8:191st & 10 at own 38Braelon Allen run for 14 yds to the Minn 48 for a 1ST down
8:191st & 10 at opp 48Braelon Allen run for 1 yd to the Minn 47
8:192nd & 9 at opp 47Graham Mertz pass complete to Kendric Pryor for 6 yds to the Minn 41
8:193rd & 3 at opp 41Brady Schipper run for 5 yds to the Minn 36 for a 1ST down
8:191st & 10 at opp 36Braelon Allen run for 1 yd to the Minn 35
8:192nd & 9 at opp 35Graham Mertz pass incomplete
8:193rd & 9 at opp 35Graham Mertz pass incomplete
4:074th & 9 at opp 35Conor Schlichting punt for 29 yds
Minnesota Punt, 6 plays
3:231st & 10 at own 18Timeout MINNESOTA, clock 03:23
3:231st & 10 at own 6Ky Thomas run for 12 yds to the Minn 18 for a 1ST down
3:231st & 10 at own 18Tanner Morgan pass incomplete
3:232nd & 10 at own 18Tanner Morgan pass complete to Daniel Jackson for 18 yds to the Minn 36 for a 1ST down
3:231st & 10 at own 36Ky Thomas run for 2 yds to the Minn 38
3:232nd & 8 at own 38Tanner Morgan pass incomplete
1:534th & 14 at own 32Timeout WISCONSIN, clock 01:53
1:533rd & 8 at own 38Tanner Morgan sacked by Keeanu Benton for 0 yards to the Minn 32
1:474th & 14 at own 32Mark Crawford punt for 45 yds, fair catch by Dean Engram at the Wisc 23
Wisconsin Punt, 3 plays
1:471st & 10 at own 23Braelon Allen run for a loss of 4 yards to the Wisc 19
1:023rd & 10 at own 23Timeout MINNESOTA, clock 01:02
0:554th & 5 at own 28Timeout MINNESOTA, clock 00:55
0:553rd & 10 at own 23Graham Mertz pass complete to Jake Ferguson for 5 yds to the Wisc 28
0:414th & 5 at own 28Andy Vujnovich punt for 55 yds , returns for no gain to the Minn 17
Minnesota End of half, 1 play
0:001st & 10 at own 17Mar’Keise Irving run for a loss of 1 yard to the Minn 16
3rd quarter6 drives, then Minnesota 20, Wisconsin 13
Wisconsin Interception, 3 plays
14:55Dragan Kesich kickoff for 65 yds , Stephan Bracey return for 18 yds to the Wisc 18
14:551st & 10 at own 18Graham Mertz pass incomplete
14:552nd & 10 at own 18Braelon Allen run for 3 yds to the Wisc 21
14:033rd & 7 at own 21Graham Mertz pass intercepted return for no gain to the Wisc 28
Minnesota Touchdown, 2 plays
14:031st & 10 at opp 28Tanner Morgan pass complete to Brevyn Spann-Ford for 26 yds to the Wisc 2 for a 1ST down
13:241st & goal at opp 2Ky Thomas run for 2 yds for a TD (Matthew Trickett KICK)Minnesota 13, Wisconsin 10
Wisconsin Field goal, 11 plays
13:24Dragan Kesich kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
13:241st & 10 at own 25Danny Davis III run for 1 yd to the Wisc 26
13:242nd & 9 at own 26Braelon Allen run for 3 yds to the Wisc 29
13:243rd & 6 at own 29Graham Mertz pass complete to Brady Schipper for 16 yds to the Wisc 45 for a 1ST down
13:241st & 10 at own 45Graham Mertz pass complete to Danny Davis III for 14 yds to the Minn 41 for a 1ST down
13:241st & 10 at opp 41Graham Mertz pass complete to Braelon Allen for 3 yds to the Minn 38
13:242nd & 7 at opp 38Braelon Allen run for a loss of 2 yards to the Minn 40
13:243rd & 9 at opp 40MERTZ, Graham pass to the right incomplete intended for PRYOR, Kendric thrown to the UMN10. PENALTY UMN Pass Interference on HOWARD, Phillip enforced 15 yards to the UMN25 and results in automatic 1ST DOWN [SG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
13:241st & 10 at opp 25Braelon Allen run for 11 yds to the Minn 14 for a 1ST down
8:052nd & 5 at opp 9Timeout MINNESOTA, clock 08:05
8:051st & 10 at opp 14Braelon Allen run for 5 yds to the Minn 9
8:052nd & 5 at opp 9Braelon Allen run for a loss of 2 yards to the Minn 11
8:053rd & 7 at opp 11Graham Mertz pass complete to Jake Ferguson for 2 yds to the Minn 9
6:354th & 5 at opp 9Collin Larsh 28 yd FG GOODTied at 13
Minnesota Touchdown, 7 plays
6:27Collin Larsh kickoff for 57 yds , Mar’Keise Irving return for 18 yds to the Minn 26
6:271st & 10 at own 26Ky Thomas run for 9 yds to the Minn 35
6:272nd & 1 at own 35Ky Thomas run for 3 yds to the Minn 38 for a 1ST down
6:271st & 10 at own 38Ky Thomas run for 4 yds to the Minn 42
6:272nd & 6 at own 42Tanner Morgan sacked by Keeanu Benton for 0 yards to the Minn 38
6:273rd & 10 at own 38Tanner Morgan pass complete to Dylan Wright for 27 yds to the Wisc 35 for a 1ST down
6:271st & 10 at opp 35Mar’Keise Irving run for 3 yds to the Wisc 32
6:272nd & 7 at opp 32MORGAN, Tanner pass to the left incomplete intended for WRIGHT, Dylan thrown to the WIS7. PENALTY WIS Pass Interference on WILLIAMS, Caesar enforced 15 yards to the WIS17 and results in automatic 1ST DOWN [NHSG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
6:271st & 10 at opp 17IRVING, Mar’Keise rush to the right for a gain of 2 yards to the WIS15 (TORCHIO, John). PENALTY UMN Holding on FAALELE, Daniel enforced 10 yards from the WIS17 to the WIS27 [NHSG]. NO PLAY (replay the down).
1:561st & 20 at opp 27Tanner Morgan pass complete to Chris Autman-Bell for 27 yds for a TD (Matthew Trickett KICK)Minnesota 20, Wisconsin 13
Wisconsin Punt, 3 plays
1:56Dragan Kesich kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
1:561st & 10 at own 25Braelon Allen run for no gain to the Wisc 25
0:293rd & 2 at own 33Timeout WISCONSIN, clock 00:29
0:292nd & 10 at own 25Graham Mertz pass complete to Kendric Pryor for 8 yds to the Wisc 33
0:293rd & 2 at own 33Graham Mertz pass incomplete
0:174th & 2 at own 33Andy Vujnovich punt for 41 yds, fair catch by Brock Annexstad at the Minn 26
Minnesota Punt, 3 plays
0:001st & 10 at own 26Ky Thomas run for 1 yd to the Minn 27
Q4 15:002nd & 9 at own 27Tanner Morgan sacked by Leo Chenal and Jack Sanborn for 0 yards to the Minn 19
Q4 15:003rd & 17 at own 19Mar’Keise Irving run for 9 yds to the Minn 28
Q4 13:274th & 8 at own 28Mark Crawford punt for 40 yds, fair catch by Dean Engram at the Wisc 32
Q4 13:271st & 10 at own 32MERTZ, Graham pass to the left incomplete intended for PRYOR, Kendric thrown to the UMN35. PENALTY UMN Pass Interference on WALLEY, Justin enforced 15 yards to the WIS47 and results in automatic 1ST DOWN. NO PLAY (replay the down).
4th quarter5 drives, then Minnesota 23, Wisconsin 13
Wisconsin Missed FG, 7 plays
13:271st & 10 at own 47Graham Mertz pass complete to Danny Davis III for 13 yds to the Minn 40 for a 1ST down
13:271st & 10 at opp 40Graham Mertz pass incomplete
13:272nd & 10 at opp 40Graham Mertz pass complete to Danny Davis III for 10 yds to the Minn 30 for a 1ST down
13:271st & 10 at opp 30Graham Mertz pass incomplete
13:272nd & 10 at opp 30Graham Mertz pass incomplete
13:273rd & 10 at opp 30Graham Mertz pass incomplete
11:444th & 10 at opp 30Collin Larsh 48 yd FG MISSED
Minnesota Field goal, 9 plays
11:441st & 10 at own 30Mar’Keise Irving run for 2 yds to the Minn 32
11:442nd & 8 at own 32Tanner Morgan pass complete to Brevyn Spann-Ford for 30 yds to the Wisc 38 for a 1ST down
11:441st & 10 at opp 38Ky Thomas run for 2 yds to the Wisc 36
11:442nd & 8 at opp 36Mar’Keise Irving run for 7 yds to the Wisc 29
11:443rd & 1 at opp 29Ky Thomas run for 3 yds to the Wisc 26 for a 1ST down
11:441st & 10 at opp 26Mar’Keise Irving run for 3 yds to the Wisc 23
11:442nd & 7 at opp 23Mar’Keise Irving run for 2 yds to the Wisc 21
11:443rd & 5 at opp 21Ky Thomas run for 3 yds to the Wisc 18
6:084th & 2 at opp 18Matthew Trickett 36 yd FG GOODMinnesota 23, Wisconsin 13
Wisconsin Turnover on downs, 8 plays
6:00Dragan Kesich kickoff for 64 yds , Stephan Bracey return for 21 yds to the Wisc 12
6:001st & 10 at own 12Graham Mertz pass incomplete
6:002nd & 10 at own 12Graham Mertz run for 5 yds to the Wisc 17
6:003rd & 5 at own 17Graham Mertz run for 4 yds to the Wisc 21
4:264th & 6 at own 16Timeout WISCONSIN, clock 04:26
4:264th & 1 at own 21WISCONSIN Penalty, False Start (Leo Chenal) to the Wisc 16
4:264th & 6 at own 16Graham Mertz pass complete to Jake Ferguson for 11 yds to the Wisc 27 for a 1ST down
4:261st & 10 at own 27Graham Mertz pass incomplete
4:262nd & 10 at own 27Graham Mertz pass incomplete
4:263rd & 10 at own 27Graham Mertz pass complete to Brady Schipper for 6 yds to the Wisc 33
3:214th & 4 at own 33Graham Mertz pass incomplete
3:211st & 10 at opp 33Timeout MINNESOTA, clock 03:21
Minnesota Punt, 3 plays
3:211st & 10 at opp 33Ky Thomas run for 2 yds to the Wisc 31
3:212nd & 8 at opp 31Mar’Keise Irving run for no gain to the Wisc 31
3:213rd & 8 at opp 31Mar’Keise Irving run for 1 yd to the Wisc 30
1:444th & 7 at opp 30MINNESOTA Penalty, False Start (Tyler Nubin) to the Wisc 35
1:444th & 12 at opp 35Timeout WISCONSIN, clock 01:44
1:334th & 12 at opp 35Mark Crawford punt for 28 yds, downed at the Wisc 7
Wisconsin Turnover on downs, 4 plays
1:331st & 10 at own 7Graham Mertz pass incomplete
1:332nd & 10 at own 7Graham Mertz pass complete to Jake Ferguson for 9 yds to the Wisc 16
1:333rd & 1 at own 16Graham Mertz pass incomplete
0:484th & 1 at own 16Graham Mertz run for no gain to the Wisc 16 run for 2 yds to the Wisc 16

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 four 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 13