THE AXE REMAINS IN MADISON.

It has been in Madison almost as long as Cold Spring Shops has been posting.  Wisconsin blocked a Minnesota punt in an October, 2005 game to retain possession (wiser heads have since prevailed, and Wisconsin plays Minnesota the last game of the season, the way Elroy Hirsch and Harry Stuldreher would have it) and the streak of successful defenses of the Axe is now fourteen seasons.  Wisconsin also have a pretty good winning streak for this season.

Wisconsin State Journal photograph by M. P. King.

There has been a Northern Illinois connection to the Minnesota program ever since the Goophs hired Jerry Kill away in 2010, just after Northern Illinois secured a bone in the Cities and before Northern Illinois went to Boise to play on the blue field.  We wished Mr Kill well, apart from games involving the Axe, and we extend the same courtesy to current Minnesota coach and onetime Northern Illinois receiver P. J. Fleck.

Run the ball 'round Minnesota, touchdown sure this time!