MADISON, Wis., Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Anthony Davis rushed for a career-high 301 yards and five touchdowns Saturday as the Wisconsin Badgers became bowl eligible with a 49-31 triumph over Minnesota.
Wisconsin (7-6, 2-6 Big Ten) also won back Paul Bunyan's Axe in the 112th meeting between the teams, the rivalry with the most games played in the nation.
In a game that featured five lead changes and two ties, Minnesota (7-5, 3-5) took its last lead at 31-28 on a two-yard pass from Asad Abdul-Khaliq to Thomas Tapeh with 12:30 to play.
But quarterback Brooks Bollinger put the Badgers back on top with a one-yard run 2:09 later and Davis added touchdown runs of two and a career-high 71 yards in the final three minutes.
Walk-on safety Jim Leonhard's two fourth-quarter interceptions, including one in the end zone with 2:27 to play, gave him a school-record 10 this season and moved him into first in the nation in that category.
Davis tied Billy Marek's school record for touchdowns, set against the Gophers in 1974. The sophomore's rushing yards and carries (45) were the third-most in school history.
The Badgers, who lost six of their last eight games, rushed for 416 yards, their most since gaining 420 on the ground in the 1999 season finale against Iowa.
Bollinger passed for 134 yards and one touchdown and ran for 112 and another score, while Abdul-Khaliq threw for 282 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
Minnesota, which gained 412 yards but allowed 550, dropped its fourth straight game but has been bowl eligible since mid-October.
