The Wisconsin Badgers had their regular season finale this weekend against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. With Tanner Mordecai under center, the Badgers were able to snag a victory in Paul Bunyan’s Axe game to continue the storied rivalry between the two schools.
The win gave the Wisconsin Badgers a leg up in the all-time series for Paul Bunyan’s Axe with a record of 63-62-2. There were plenty of standouts, and Luke Fickell’s and Phil Longo’s air raid offense might finally be taking hold after a tumultuous middle of the season for the 7-5 Badgers.
Reactions to Players
For some players, it was the end of the line for their regular season with the Wisconsin Badgers. After suffering an injury to his hand, Tanner Mordecai was thought to be done this season, but he was able to come back and show off his skills under center. He went 14 for 22 with 145 yards through the air and two touchdowns. He even rushed for 69 yards over nine carries. Here’s how fans reacted to his play:
Probably my favorite play of the year. Little fake QB draw that convinced the LB. Throw it right over his head.
Tanner Mordecai said it was relatively new. pic.twitter.com/lkZfSNNaZY
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) November 26, 2023
Tanner Mordecai, Wisconsin Badger pic.twitter.com/Gm7vIu9v7y
— Samuel (@sbgeff) November 26, 2023
Tanner Mordecai could take a nap and still throw the ball if he wanted to.
— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) November 25, 2023
The stats don’t really reflect it but Tanner Mordecai has been everything Wisconsin could’ve asked for this year. Team’s struggles are not on him
— Ryan Matson (@RyanMats23) November 25, 2023
Tanner Mordecai. Broken hand, broken shmand, apparently.
— Shawn Nissen (@nissensa) November 25, 2023
Another standout was the running game, with Braelon Allen leading the charge for the Wisconsin Badgers with 165 yards on 23 carries. He punched through two touchdowns, helping the team win 28-14. Many fans are speculating that Braelon Allen may have played his final game for the Wisconsin Badgers.
Have a feeling that Braelon Allen may have played his last game as a Badger and will skip playing in the upcoming bowl game. He sure was a workhorse these last two games carrying the team on his back. When the team needed him most, he delivered.
— wisconsinsane (@wisconsinsane) November 26, 2023
Paul Bunyan’s axe is back in Wisconsin for the first time in three years after a 267-yard rushing performance at Minnesota. Braelon Allen reminded us he’s pretty good at football when healthy, rushing for 165 of those yards himself.
— BiggerTen (@BiggerTen) November 26, 2023
Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen on if this was his final game for the Badgers: “I don’t know. We’ll find out soon enough.”
He said winning the axe was “a non-negotiable. We had to leave here with it. So to go out like that for the regular season is amazing.”
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) November 26, 2023
The Axe is back in Madison, Braelon Allen found his groove again, we saw actual glimpses of the potential of the Air Raid, and Coach Scruggs is back to berating folks on social media.
All is right with the world. pic.twitter.com/hVP3eaS7rG— Shawn Nissen (@nissensa) November 26, 2023
The Wisconsin Badgers Ending on a High Note
It was a trying year for Luke Fickell in his first year at the helm of the Wisconsin Badgers, but one that still held plenty of success. Fans were able to catch glimpses of the future with a high-powered defense, a great OL, and an offense that started to figure things out and will eventually find an identity moving forward once Fickell is able to put his fingerprints on it for a few years.
Fans had plenty to say about the Wisconsin Badgers and their final regular season game.
The axe is coming home! Let’s Go Wisconsin #Wisconsin #Badgers pic.twitter.com/vQx2jidiu6
— Ryan Witalison (@Ryan_Witalison) November 25, 2023
Documents
└ University of Wisconsin
└ #Badgers Football
└ Luke Fickell Era
└ Losses vs #Gophers
└ This folder is empty.https://t.co/5s8czO9CTU pic.twitter.com/ULnVLiRy4x— Jordan Love Bookmarks (@BookmarkerLove) November 25, 2023
Winning back the Axe, while also keeping Minnesota out of a bowl game. Just a great way to end a mediocre badger season
— Mike Percy (@mike_percy_) November 26, 2023
The most beautiful sight 🥹🪓 pic.twitter.com/CENLOKqWw5
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) November 26, 2023
The Axe is back home. PJ’s season is over. Badgers get a month of extra practice. Badgers trending in the right direction. 📈
— Big Cheese Sports (@BigCheese_IESR) November 26, 2023
A great way to finish the season. Fickell got back what PC lost and in the process showed us a glimpse of what the future might hold for Badger fans. #OnWisconsin
— Mark (@DUD6887) November 26, 2023
