Two Badgers optimistic about playing in bowl game at season's end

Claiming Paul Bunyan’s Axe for the second-straight year, the Wisconsin Badgers defeated the rival Minnesota Golden Gophers, 20-17, in overtime on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.

The win moved to the Badgers back to .500 at 3-3.

Wisconsin, who began the season 2-0, missed out on three games this year because of coronavirus (COVID-19)-related cancelations.

Addressing the media following the Minnesota victory, two Badger redshirt seniors, safety Eric Burrell and wide receiver Jack Dunn, stated their support for the program accepting a bowl invitation.

#Badgers senior safety Eric Burrell asked about playing in a bowl game: Absolutely. We missed three games. We have to make that up.

— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) December 20, 2020

#Badgers Jack Dunn was asked about a potential bowl game. He said: If we get another game, I'm all-in.

— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) December 20, 2020

Bowl games have been kind to Wisconsin in recent years, as the program has won five of their last six trips. Their most recent experience was a loss, however, falling to the Pacific-12 Conference’s Oregon Ducks, 28-27, in the Rose Bowl on January 1.

Prior to that, the Badgers had not dropped a bowl game since the Capital One Bowl to the South Carolina Gamecocks on January 1, 2014, when Gary Andersen was still the head coach.