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

By Dante Pryor | Nov 30, 2019

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 30: David Pfaff #52 of the Wisconsin Badgers hoists the Paul Bunyan Football Trophy after defeating the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the game at TCF Bank Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Badgers defeated the Golden Gophers 38-17. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – NOVEMBER 30: Zack Baun #56 of the Wisconsin Badgers tackles Shannon Brooks #4 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second quarter of the game at TCF Bank Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

1. Wisconsin owned the trenches

The Badgers want to win in the trenches. That’s the foundation of their offense, and their defense. Jonathan Taylor was limited to only 76 yards in this game, but the Badgers still had a good day on the ground running for 173 yards and three touchdowns.

Jack Coan had all day to throw when he dropped back; his jersey was clean except when he ran on zone-option reads. Minnesota’s defense line had no luck moving the Badgers’ offensive line.

Unlike Coan, Tanner Morgan was harassed all game long. The Badgers’ defense, led by Zack Baun, had five sacks of Morgan.

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The run game had no luck against the Badger front either averaging only 2.5 yards per carry in this game. The Minnesota three-headed monster of Mohammed Ibrahim, Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith had only 92 yards combined and 58 of those yards came on two of their 23 combined carries. Wisconsin proved you can win a lot of games if you can win up front.

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