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Jim Leonhard explains importance of battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe with Minnesota: ‘It means everything’

Grant Bricker

By Grant Bricker

Published:

Jim Leonhard may be in his first game as interim HC in the Wisconsin-Minnesota rivalry, but he knows how much it means to both sides. Leonhard talked about the rivalry at Monday’s presser.

Both Minnesota (7-4) and Wisconsin (6-5) are already bowl eligible with plenty left to play for. Leonhard explained just how much it would mean to get a win over the Golden Gophers.

“The beauty of this program is we’ve had a lot of people who’ve been a big part of this rivalry and it means a lot to a lot of people. I’m excited to kind of teach the guys who don’t know much about the history. It means everything, it’s the longest rivalry in college football. If that doesn’t mean anything to you then it’s hard.”

Minnesota got the better of Wisconsin last season with a 23-13 win in Minneapolis. This year’s battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe will be going down at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Grant Bricker

Grant Bricker covers the B1G for Saturday Tradition. His previous stops include the Williamson Homepage and Nashville Post.