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What Paul Chryst said after Wisconsin’s victory over Minnesota
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Snapping a three-game losing streak, the Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Minnesota Golden Gophers, 20-17, in overtime on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
With the win, Wisconsin moved back to .500 at 3-3 and captured their second-straight victory in the Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe.
Played annually since 1907, making it college football’s longest continuous rivalry, the Badgers extended their narrow lead in the all-time series with Minnesota to 62-60-8.
Addressing the media postgame, head coach Paul Chryst talked about what this win meant for his program.
#Badgers HC Paul Chryst: "This game means something. You certainly saw that and felt that at the end."
— Dave Heller ✍️ (@dave_heller) December 20, 2020
Redshirt senior Garrett Groshek, who surpassed his season yardage total on the afternoon, was Wisconsin’s standout player, carrying the football 24 times for 154 yards and a score.
Paul Chryst on Garrett Groshek: "I was just impressed with the way he just kept driving the pile. He put it all out there today. It shows he cares about this team and will do anything he can to help this team."
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) December 20, 2020
Quarterback Graham Mertz, a redshirt freshman, started his sixth consecutive game, but was forced to leave late in the third quarter after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit on a scramble.
#Badgers HC Paul Chryst: "Graham was out there celebrating. Obviously got the hit and wasn't going to play. But he was out there with the guys." Said something about whether Coan was available or not but kind of mumbled through it, I think he said he wasn't, but don't quote me
— Dave Heller ✍️ (@dave_heller) December 20, 2020
Redshirt sophomore Chase Wolf stepped in for him, throwing a four-yard touchdown pass to redshirt senior Jack Dunn. Senior Jack Coan, who started all 14 games in 2019 but has yet to play this season, was still unavailable because of a right foot injury.
Paul Chryst on Chase Wolf's TD pass: "We had a little package for him and we tried to use that in the beginning of the 2nd half. Obviously came up with a big play and showed poised on that play. He has a lot of respect in the locker room, shows up every day and competes."
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) December 20, 2020
Paul Chryst said Jack Coan was not available.
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) December 20, 2020
If the Badgers accept a bowl invitation, they will be gunning for their sixth victory in the last seven years. Prior to dropping the Rose Bowl to the Oregon Ducks, 28-27, on January 1, Wisconsin had won five straight bowl games, dating to their 34-31 overtime triumph over the Auburn Tigers in the Outback Bowl on January 1, 2015.
A graduate of Bowling Green State University, Rydquist has been contributing to Saturday Down South and Saturday Tradition since 2019. He can be found on Twitter @TeddyRydquist.