Wisconsin football fails to finish yet again, leaving Fickell to say 'put that on me'

Badgers collapse in 4th quarter to lose to Minnesota 23-16

Wisconsin's defense couldn't stop a Minnesota offense that kept making big plays by air and ground, resulting in several touchdowns to put away the Badgers in a 23-16 game

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Luke Fickell didn't mince words after Wisconsin's latest collapse.

"Put that on me," the first-year coach said. "That's my responsibility."

The Badgers blew a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter and lost 23-16 to Minnesota on Saturday, continuing a disturbing trend of failing to finish games.

It was the third time in four games that Wisconsin (3-4, 1-3 Big Ten) squandered a double-digit lead in the final quarter.

"We've had three different games where we've had a lead going into the fourth quarter, and we haven't been able to close it out," Fickell said. "I think all of us are sick to our stomach about it."

Tanner Morgan threw for 215 yards and a touchdown, and Mohamed Ibrahim rushed for 118 yards and a touchdown for Minnesota (4-2, 2-1).

Ibrahim's 5-yard touchdown run with 6:43 left in the game gave the Gophers the lead for good, and Morgan's 20-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Jackson with 2:11 left sealed the victory.

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz was 19 of 29 for 166 yards and a touchdown. Braelon Allen rushed for 111 yards on 20 carries.

The Badgers had a chance to tie the game late, but Mertz was intercepted by Minnesota's Justin Walley at the Gophers 29-yard line with 1:05 left.

"We've got to find a way to finish," Mertz said. "We've got to execute down the stretch. We can't keep putting ourselves in these situations."

Wisconsin's defense, which had been playing well in recent weeks, couldn't stop a Minnesota offense that kept making big plays by air and ground.

The Gophers converted 9 of 17 third downs and 2 of 3 fourth downs.

"We've got to get better," Fickell said. "We've got to find a way to make plays when we need to."

The Badgers have a bye next week before hosting Purdue on Oct. 15.

"We've got to get back to work," Fickell said. "We've got to find a way to win these games."