After registering psychologically liberating wins over Purdue and Michigan earlier in the season, the Gophers were poised to steal Paul Bunyan's Axe away from Barry Alvarez and the Wisconsin Badgers and move to 6-1 on the season.

But disaster struck in the final minute.

With the Gophers leading by a field goal 35 seconds remaining, punter Justin Kucek was lined up at his own five with the idea of getting Minnesota out of harm's way. Instead Kucek dropped the snap, picked it up and attempted to get off a kick on the run. But Wisconsin's Jonathan Casillas broke through and blocked it, and Ben Strickland recovered it in the end zone for a 37-34 Badger lead with 30 seconds remaining.

After the Badgers added the extra point, Jakari Wallace fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Gophers were tagged with a 38-34 defeat.

The loss nullified another sensational effort by the Minnesota running game. Running back Laurence Maroney ran for a career-high 258 yards while backup Gary Russle pitched in with another 139 yards.

Maroney was in no mood to talk about his sensational game -- which included a 93-yard TD run in the third quarter. "It is something that I would have never imagined happening," he said. "But it did, so we just have to take it and live with it."

Minnesota appeared to have the game in hand when Russell scored on a one-yard run with 3:27 left, giving the Gophers a 34-24 lead. The TD capped a 19-play, 80-yard drive that took 7:48 off the clock.

But the Badgers went right down the field and cut the lead to three points on John Stocco's 21-yard TD pass to Brandon Williams with 2:10 left. After the Badger defense held the Gophers following the kickoff, the crucial error on the punt followed and Wisconsin was able to take the game.

"I'm not going to say we felt it was over," Gophers defensive tackle Anthony Montgomery said. "But we felt real good because we were in pretty good position."

It's not about being in a good position. It's about finishing the game and coming out with a win. The Gophers will try to put this loss in the past and prepare for their Oct. 29 home game with Ohio State.

KEEP AN EYE ON: RB Gary Russell -- Maroney's backup recorded his third 100-yard game of the season, running for 139 yards and two touchdowns against Wisconsin. Like Maroney, Russell is an explosive runner who can hit the home run and get the tough yards between the tackles.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Tony Mortensen did a real fine job. Not only was it his first start, but it was against one of our biggest rivals. I thought he did enough to help up to win the game and that's all we asked from him. Even though Bryan Cupito was cleared to play by our staff, I made the decision on Tuesday to go with Mortensen. We expect to have Cupito back for Ohio State." -- Head coach Glen Mason on the play of his backup QB in the loss to Wisconsin.

Mortensen was poised in filling in for injured starter Bryan Cupito (shoulder). Mortensen did not have brilliant numbers -- 7-of-17 for 99 yards -- but he was a solid leader. He threw a five-yard TD pass to TE Matt Spaeth in the second quarter.

C Greg Eslinger seemingly plays a great game every week, but it would be hard to find a more dominating effort than he had against Wisconsin. The Gophers rushed for 411 yards and Eslinger was unstoppable in opening holes for Maroney and Russell

STILL NEEDS SOME WORK: The Gophers blew a game that they had put away in the final moments. After taking a 10-point lead with 3:27 to go, the defense and special teams fell apart. Head coach Glen Mason must resume his role of team psychologist to get the team prepared for Ohio State this week.

WR Jared Ellerson caught just one pass for eight yards. He mishandled a first quarter pass from Mortensen that would have likely given the Gophers a first-quarter touchdowns. Ellerson was wide open but did not run through the ball and make the catch. It seemed as if he could have come with a much better effort.

P Justin Kucek got butterfingers at the worst possible moment. He dropped the ball after receiving the snap at his own five in the final 35 seconds and his ensuing punt was blocked and recovered in the endzone by the Badgers for the game-winning touchdown. In addition to the block, Kucek averaged 29.3 yards on four punts.

ROSTER REPORT: QB Bryan Cupito could not play against Wisconsin, but Glen Mason expects him to be in the lineup this week against Ohio State.