MADISON, Wis. -- Freshman quarterback Jess Cole, making only his second start of the season, scored four touchdowns, including one on a 52-yard run, to spark Wisconsin to a 25-7 victory over Minnesota Saturday in a Big Ten season finale.
The victory gave Wisconsin a 4-7 record and 3-5 in the Big Ten. Minnesota, which was shooting for its first winning season in four years, finished 5-6 overall and 4-5 in the coknference.
Besides his 52-yard run, Cole also scored three times on 1-yard runs. He was replacing sophomore John Josten, who reinjured his ankle last week in a 39-19 victory over Northwestern.
Minnesota's only score came on quarterback Tim Salem's 1-yard run. Salem, son of Minnesota Coach Joe Salem, was injured when he was tackled while throwing a pass in the second quarter and never returned.
A 21-yard punt by Jim Gallery helped set up Wisconsin's first touchdown in the game's early moments. The Badgers drove 29 yards and took a 6-0 lead on Cole's 1-yard sneak. Mark Doran's extra point attempt was wide.
Minnesota retaliated with an 80-yard drive, with Salem scoring from the one. The drive was kept alive when Wisconsin was hit with a five-yard offsides penalty on fourth and one at the Gopher 44.
Gallery's kick gave the Gophers a 7-6 lead.
Minnesota threatened again late in the second quarter when it drove 80 yards to Wisconsin's 2-yard line. But on third down Salem was thrown for a 7-yard loss by linebacker Guy Boliaux and Gallery then missed a 26-yard field goal attempt.
Wisconsin took the lead for good when Cole broke loose on his 52-yard scoring run around left end, which gave the Badgers a 12-7 lead in the third quarter. Cole was sacked while attempting a pass for the two point conversion.
Cole scored again on a 1-yard run early in the fourth quarter after an interception by linebacker Dave Levenick. A pass for the two-point conversion was incomplete.
A short time later, Cole led the Badgers 39 yards and scored their final touchdown on a 1-yard run with 6:08 left. Doran kicked the extra point.
