A 17-7 win against Wisconsin at home gives the Gophers the edge in the all-time rivalry.
The Gophers’ win over the Badgers marked the 135th rivalry game between the two teams, making it the oldest football rivalry in the Big Ten. The win also solidified Minnesota’s undefeated record at home for the 2025 season.
Going into the rivalry game, the Badgers just came off an upset win against No. 21 University of Illinois, while the Gophers had a close loss to Northwestern University at Wrigley Field.
Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck said he was proud of his team’s response and resolve after the game against Northwestern.
“To respond after the hard, hard loss at Wrigley Field against Northwestern last week, and the way it ended, to have that defensive performance, that just shows the type of character we have in that room, not only for now but when they are husbands and fathers,” Fleck said.
Junior transfer John Nestor missed last week’s game against Northwestern due to an injury, but that did not stop him from coming in with a fight against Wisconsin.
Nestor recovered one fumble, made seven tackles and had two interceptions. In his second interception during the third quarter, he returned the ball 68 yards. The play set Gophers redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey up for a 13-yard touchdown and solidified the Gophers’ lead.
Fleck said Nestor played the way he always does, and he is the ultimate competitor.
“I think he fits so well here,” Fleck said. “When somebody fits in a program, it could escalate where they go in their life, on the field and off the field.”
At the end of the regular season, Nestor had 32 tackles — tying the lead in tackles — and five interceptions for 113 yards. Nestor said his success during the game against the Badgers was a product of the defense as a collective.
“If you watch the play, [Maverick Baranowski] tipped that ball. If Mav didn’t tip that ball, their guy catches it,” Nestor said. “That’s Mav’s pick, I owe him a steak dinner this week.”
The game against the Badgers was not only a rivalry game but also senior night for the Gophers football team. Minnesota honored its seniors before kickoff by showing their highlights of the season and calling their names one by one.
One senior who stepped on Huntington Bank’s field for the last time in his college career and has made history for the Gophers was Derik LeCaptain. LeCaptain is a seventh-year Gopher and has played the most football games in Minnesota program history.
LeCaptain, Nestor and Maverick Baranowski walked out during the postgame press conference holding the Axe with pride. LeCaptain said it means everything to be a part of the rivalry moment.
“Yeah, we are playing for the Axe, but at the end of the day, we’re playing for each other,” LeCaptain said.
After redshirting in 2019, getting a Covid year in 2020 and missing the 2023 season due to an injury, LeCaptain has played 62 games for the Gophers. LeCaptain said he is so fortunate to play for the Gophers for as long as he did.
“I played with so many great guys, and that kind of taught me you never take any moment for granted,” LeCaptain said. “Blessed to be a Gopher, blessed to be here, I am blessed to play for this program and just absolutely grateful.”
The Gophers are eligible for a bowl game, but it has yet to be announced who they are playing against.
