MINNEAPOLIS—As the Wisconsin Badgers paraded around TCF Bank Stadium's field with Paul Bunyan's axe, allowing as many red clad fans to touch it as they could, the celebration almost felt like an emotional release of all the tension that led up to it.
On a weekend that began with a message from head coach Mark Johnson, a highlight video from their national championship run in the 2008-'09 season and the unveiling of a banner celebrating that achievement, the Wisconsin women's hockey team quickly learned that their opponents would not bow down and let the Badgers cakewalk to another title.
It wasn't too long ago when the Badgers played by the maxim that they would run the ball down their opponent's throat because they knew they couldn't be stopped, and opposing defenses knew their chances of stopping Wisconsin were slim.
The Wisconsin volleyball team (0-2 Big Ten, 5-6 overall) will finish up a three-match road trip this weekend with games at Ohio State (1-1 Big Ten, 13-2 overall) and Penn State (2-0 Big Ten, 14-0 overall). After traveling to the raucous Sports Pavilion last Friday, where it was swept by the Golden Gophers, Wisconsin looks to rebound in hopes of its first Big Ten win.
Wisconsin (5-5-2) took on Minnesota (8-2-0) in the classic border battle match-up on a cold and rainy night at the McClimon Sports Complex. At the end of the long and much-delayed evening, the Gophers came out on top, 2-1, in an overtime victory over the Badgers.
It says something about the rivalry when Paul Bunyan's Axe came out in the locker room after Wisconsin held off Michigan State. Make no mistake about it, this game is special.
The score may indicate otherwise, but those present at the UW football team's 38-30 win over Michigan State last weekend realize what a big-time statement it was. The Badgers always seem to let things get a little too exciting, as shown by a careless 91-yard touchdown reception they surrendered in the final minute. Wisconsin was in control for most of the game, answering critics who said their performance in non-conference games wouldn't cut it against the rest of the Big Ten.
In a matchup of two struggling offenses, the University of Illinois-Chicago used two penalty kicks to defeat the Wisconsin men's soccer team, 3-0, in Chicago, Ill., on Wednesday night.
For years we heard the excuse.
I hate to jump the gun and turn into one of those overexcited fans, but if you're looking at what Wisconsin has done so far, and looking ahead at its schedule, there's a strong possibility the Badgers could be headed for a major postseason date in January.
Junior wide receiver Isaac Anderson didn't have to wait long for his time to shine in 2009.
When a team spent its last year dominating all of its competition, losing just two games all year on the way to a third national championship in four years, it's reasonable to expect an equally dominant season from them the next year.
In a couple of days, after a long summer spent waiting, the puck will drop on the 2009-'10 NHL season.
The Wisconsin men's soccer team continues its stretch of strong opponents tonight as they travel to Chicago for a non-conference matchup with the University of Illinois-Chicago.
Wisconsin head football coach Bret Bielema made it clear in his weekly press conference Monday morning that his team's win over Michigan State last week is old news.
With the exception of a wobbly last four minutes of a game that had long been over, John Clay and Wisconsin made a statement to the rest of the Big Ten Saturday as they stampeded to a 38-30 win over Michigan State.
The Wisconsin volleyball team headed north to take on Minnesota Friday, hoping to get a challenging three game road stretch off on the right foot. The Badgers struggled, however, and were swept in straight sets by their rivals 25-15, 25-26, 26-24.
Coming into Saturday's game, most of the talk was about Wisconsin's chances of slowing down the Spartans' prolific passing offense. At day's end, however, it was the Badgers' signal caller who made the big impression.
After a rough weekend in California, the Wisconsin women's soccer team regrouped and continued its unbeaten streak at home with a tie against No. 15 Purdue (5-2-2) and a thrilling 3-2 victory over No. 19 Indiana (8-3-0).
Last Sunday's improbable New York Jets victory over the New England Patriots gave me, and fellow Jets fans, plenty of reasons to be optimistic.
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