After the departure of linebacker Blake Cashman, the Gophers defend Badgers – Twin Cities

MADISON, Wisconsin – Blake Cashman has been the spearhead of the Gophers defense, especially in the last two weeks. Minnesota's chances against Wisconsin were therefore seriously compromised when the linebacker was sent off for targeting Saturday.

When the Biggers striker Jack Dunn was seen again, Cashman, the Big Ten's second tackle, rallied his unit in the battle for Paul Bunyan's ax.

"You could see the emotion on his face," said Carter Coughlin, the defensive end of the Gophers. "You could see his eyes were starting to swell. This is the last thing he would ever want to happen. You can just feel the emotion around us all.

"It's very fast we're doing this for Blake," Coughlin said. The Gophers beat Wisconsin 37-37 to end the Badgers' 14-game winning streak in the rival game.

Linebacker Julian Huff replaced Cashman and the level of play has not decreased. Huff finished with four tackles and his interception of quarterback Badgers Alex Hornibrook in the third quarter led to a center placement for the Gophers to take the score to 23-7.

"Everyone had to be energetic and match their energy because they bring it in every week," Coughlin said of Cashman, his former high school colleague at Eden Prairie. "I am so happy that we have to do this for him."

DOUGLAS 'PUNT RETURN

Gophers coach P.J. Fleck said the 69-meter kickoff from Demetrius Douglas for a touchdown in the second quarter was the match's biggest game. This helped the Gophers build a 17-0 lead.

The Gophers' fourth wide receiver, Douglas's contribution to the offense was limited this season: nine receptions, 87 yards and one touchdown in 11 games. But the son of the former Gophers receiver, Omar Douglas, intervened at a key moment.

"For me, being able to contribute to the team in every possible way was great," said Douglas.

Senior kicker Emmit Carpenter, who converted three of four placement attempts on Saturday, has rallied to another special teams player who stands out.

"It's great to see the players in this third phase of the game play big," said Carpenter. "Often, games in special teams can have a huge impact on the game. Demetrius, it was an absolutely amazing piece.

DESTINATIONS OF BOWL?

The Gophers' sixth win this season means they've been eligible for the cup and are likely heading to one of the Big Ten's four affiliate destinations:

– SERVPRO's first responder on Dec. 26 at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas. The expected enemy would be Conference USA.