Gophers coach Jerry Kill said Tuesday that he has no problem with Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen's plan for how to give the winning team Paul Bunyan's Axe.
Instead of keeping the Axe on the sideline, the Badgers plan to have it presented after the game in the end zone closest to the winning team's locker room.
Kill said he didn't know Wisconsin was considering the new plan but said, "They put in a policy, and I respect Wisconsin. And if it's best for the situation and the protection of the kids because of the intensity of the rivalry — I respect any policy the administrators make for the protection of the players and the game."
The Gophers haven't won the Axe since 2003. Last year, after Wisconsin's 20-7 victory, the Gophers stood singing "Hail! Minnesota!" and refused to move when the Badgers came over to "chop down" a goal post. The tension mounted, before Wisconsin backed away.
Andersen originally said Monday that the Axe would be presented inside the winning locker room before amending that plan with the end-zone idea. Fans who have enjoyed watching teams storm across the field to claim the Axe were not impressed.
"I'm more worried about our game," Kill said. "We haven't beat them in, what,10 years? There's supposed to be a rivalry, so you have to win to make it a rivalry. So I'm concentrating more on that."
The Gophers haven't won in Madison since 1994, and Saturday's winner will also claim the Big Ten West title.
"I could care less where the Axe is; I just want it," Gophers senior Donnell Kirkwood said. "I don't think we care where they put it. They can put it in the stands and we'll go get it."
