The Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe has a new day.
The annual Gophers-Badgers football rivalry will be played at 11 a.m. on the Friday after Thanksgiving this year, according to a report from Matt Fortuna on Thursday. The 2024 rematch will be played in Madison, Wis.
College football’s longest-played rivalry has been on the Saturday after Thanksgiving in eight of the past nine years. The COVID-19 pandemic moved the 2020 game to December 19.
This year’s switch is expected to alter holiday plans, especially for Minnesota fans looking to travel to attend the game. The morning kickoff also puts a wrench in what has usually been an afternoon start time.
Fortuna reported that CBS will carry the Axe game, while the Nebraska-Iowa game will stay on Black Friday but will be moved to primetime on NBC this fall.
Minnesota-Wisconsin has been played 133 times, with the Badgers holding a 63-62-8 edge. Wisconsin beat Minnesota 28-14 at Huntington Bank Stadium on Nov. 25, 2023.
Related Articles
Gophers football: Important offensive players gather for extra work in Georgia
Gophers football adds Michigan State transfer Jaren Mangham via transfer portal
Gophers football: An emotional Tyler Nubin called it ‘unbelievable’ to join New York Giants
Gophers men’s basketball adds New Mexico State wing Femi Odukale
Gophers’ turnover at receiver continues with Dallas Sims transferring out
Leave a Reply