MADISON, WIS. – Wisconsin entered Saturday's game with the Big Ten's best run defense and the nation's No. 5 scoring defense.
But Gophers offensive coordinator Jay Johnson came up with an effective strategy that led to 17 first-half points.
Minnesota outgained the Badgers 133-29 in the first quarter, and 80 of those Gophers yards came on the ground.
Wisconsin's defense came in averaging just 98.3 rushing yards per game, so this was a surprising development. Mitch Leidner had 55 rushing yards in the first quarter, including a 32-yard jaunt on a read-option keeper.
But the Badgers clamped down after the first quarter, holding the Gophers to 48 yards rushing over the final three quarters. Leidner finished with 16 carries for 46 yards, which included 32 lost yards on five sacks.
Rodney Smith had 13 carries for 45 yards, and Shannon Brooks added nine carries for 37 yards.
"Any time you don't have a good combination [of rushing and passing], it's going to hurt you," senior receiver Drew Wolitarsky said. "If you can't run, they're just going to send more defensive backs, and you're not going to be able to pass."
Team banquet ahead
The Gophers will hold their annual team banquet Sunday, handing out the Bronko Nagurski Award (MVP) and other team awards.