James White, Montee Ball power Wisconsin past Minnesota








The Gophers took the opening kickoff, so Nelson didn't have any time on the sideline to get any more nervous than he surely already was. Zach Mottla's third-down shotgun snap sailed to Nelson's left, and he had to hustle to cover the ball so the Gophers could punt from their 16.



After dominating Purdue with 645 total yards in last week's 38-14 win, the Badgers didn't move the ball with the same proficiency, particularly early. This is an improved Gophers defense but still a group that let Iowa's Mark Weisman rush for 177 yards and a touchdown and Northwestern's Venric Mark gain 182 yards and two scores on the ground.

Stave was especially erratic. He also hung on too long and took two sacks, by D.L. Wilhite and Ra'Shede Hageman for a total loss of 20 yards, to push the Badgers out of field-goal range and forced their third of four first-half punts.

But the Gophers, relying frequently on draws and zone read runs up the middle by Nelson, didn't do much to help their defense out. It was only a matter of time that the Badgers were able to wear down the Gophers with what they've done so well for so many years -- ramming the ball straight ahead and reaping the rewards.


Coach Jerry Kill decided to burn Nelson's redshirt, giving the kid who grew up near Madison with parents who met in school at Wisconsin a chance to make his debut in a difficult environment. Nelson, who moved to Minnesota before high school and was a highly sought recruit out of Mankato, finished 13 for 24 for 149 yards. He ran 16 times for 68 yards.

But he didn't have much to work with. Starting left tackle Ed Olson didn't make the trip because of an injury. Gray played wide receiver because several of Minnesota's top passing targets were hurt.
