The Axe Stays in Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. ( gophersports.com )

-- Melvin Gordon ran for 151 yards and accounted for two scores, and No. 14 Wisconsin rallied from a two-touchdown deficit to beat Minnesota (No. 18 CFP , No. 22 AP) 34-24 on Saturday night to earn a trip to the Big Ten championship game. 

Joel Stave threw for 215 yards, including 160 to receiver Alex Erickson. Stave's 17-yard touchdown pass to Robert Wheelwright with 4:41 left in the game gave the Badgers (10-2, 7-1) a 10-point lead, and Wisconsin's defense held from there. 

The Badgers will play Ohio State (No. 6 CFP, No. 7 AP) next week for the league title after claiming the West Division crown. 

It was not easy. Physical Minnesota (8-4, 5-3) let a 17-3 lead early in the second quarter slip away. David Cobbran for 118 yards on 25 carries, including a 40-yard score. 

Gordon set a Big Ten single-season rushing record on his first carry after coming in tied with former Wisconsin running back Ron Dayne at 2,109 yards. 

Stave and Erickson combined to torch the Gophers secondary. Backup running back Corey Clement, playing with a right shoulder injury, scored on a 28-yard run on his first carry with 6:20 left in the third quarter to give the Badgers their first lead of the night, 20-17. 

Clement, the heir apparent to Gordon in the backfield, finished with 89 yards on seven gritty carries. 

Wisconsin celebrated after time expired, having secured Paul Bunyan's Axe for an 11th straight season. 

Minnesota's milestone regular season ended sooner than they had hoped. 

Quarterback Mitch Leidner ran for 54 yards and two scores on 14 carries. His 2-yard touchdown run with 7:32 left got the Gophers within 27-24, but Wisconsin answered right back with Wheelwright's touchdown catch.