MADISON, Wis. — Friday’s iteration of the Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe was one of the coldest game in recent history of the longtime rivalry between the Gophers and Badgers.
Temperature at kickoff was 22 degrees at Camp Randall Stadium, but a blustery wind out of the north brought a feels-like temperature into the single digits.
CBS said pregame was the coldest game in Madison since 1951, while the Gophers pegged it in a tie for the sixth coldest game for Minnesota since 1977 — as far back as its records have been kept.
The Gophers’ coldest game was 15 degrees against Ohio State on Nov. 15, 2014. The second coldest was 17 degrees versus Iowa on Nov. 19, 2022. Both were played at Huntington Bank Stadium.
The Gophers-Badgers game in 2013 was 18 degrees, and the rivalry game in 1981 was marked at 20.
Coming back?
Senior Cody Lindenberg said on the KFAN pregame show that he has not yet determined if he will return for a sixth season next year.
“I haven’t thought about it too much,” Lindenberg told Mike Grimm. “I’ve just been focusing on each week at a time. Stay where my feet are at; that is where I know I perform the best.”
The Anoka native is the U’s best linebacker, and has a team-high 90 tackles this season. If he does pursue the NFL, Minnesota could head to the transfer portal for a replacement.
Defensive tackle Jalen Logan-Redding told reporters this week he plays to return to Minnesota for a sixth year in 2025. Special teamer Derik LeCaptain also said on KFAN he will return for a seventh season.
Quarterback Max Brosmer and offensive lineman Quinn Carroll said Monday they will play in the bowl game. Kicker Dragan Kesich told the Go Gopher podcast that he will play in the bowl game.
Injury report
Gophers starting left tackle Aireontae Ersery left Friday’s game with a right ankle injury. He went to the locker room, but came back to the sideline with tape on his ankle.
Ersery is a projected top pick in the NFL draft in April. Without Ersery, Quinn Carroll moved from right guard to left tackle and Ashton Beers filled in at right guard.
The Gophers were without safeties Aidan Gousby and Darius Green, and tight end Pierce Walsh on Friday. Guard Tyler Cooper, who returned to play against Penn State last week, was listed as questionable but started.
Briefly
Receiver Daniel Jackson moved into fourth all time in Gophers receiving yards. He passed Tutu Atwell (2,640 yards) and remains behind Tyler Johnson (3,305), Eric Decker (3,119) and Ron Johnson (2,989). … Friday was Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck’s 44th birthday.
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