Wisconsin Football: 3 takeaways from West-clinching win over Minnesota

Minnesota hosted No. 12 Wisconsin football for Paul Bunyan’s Axe and an opportunity to play in the Big Ten title game. What’d we learn?

It was only appropriate it snow in a rivalry game played in Minneapolis. The snow, however, couldn’t slow down the Wisconsin offense as they dominated the Minnesota Golden Gophers on the road to reclaim Paul Bunyan’s Ax at TCF Stadium, 38-17.

It was the Badgers’ pass game that won the day for the Badgers. Junior quarterback Jack Coan had his best day as a Badger completing 15 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns.

This one was close for a half, and then the Badgers hit big play after big play in the third game to break the game wide open to win the game, reclaim the ax, and get a second crack at the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Here are three additional takeaways from the game.

3. Jack Coan had a big day

Everyone in TCF Stadium knew what the Wisconsin Badgers wanted to do offensively. The game plan was to feed Jonathan Taylor and use the pass game as a complement to the run game. The Golden Gophers were prepared to stop Taylor and force the Badgers to adjust, and adjust they did. Badger quarterback Jack Coan had his best game as a Badger throwing for 280 yards and two touchdowns.

Not only did the Badgers get it done in the air, they got it done with the big play. Wisconsin hit on four chunk plays (plays of 20 yards or more) and two explosive plays (plays of 30 yards or more).

Quintez Cephus was the man for Wisconsin leading the Badgers with 114 yards and one touchdown. The Gophers had no answer for the big plays of the Badgers. Coan and the Badgers took advantage of the Gophers aggression on defense and used the screen game and misdirection to nullify Minnesota’s pursuit.

This offensive explosion, and Coan’s big day was what Badger fans have waited for all season long.