Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Minnesota

Tanner Morgan

Minnesota Golden Gophers

By Ron Sanzone

The Big 10’s Minnesota Golden Gophers bring an 8-4 record and two-game winning streak to the Guaranteed Rate Bowl on December 28.

Minnesota has competed in the game three times but is looking for its first victory It lost 44-41 to Texas Tech in 2006, 42-21 to Kansas in 2008, and 14-13 to Iowa State in 2009.

Minnesota’s season got off to a difficult start with a 45-31 home loss to Rose Bowl-bound Ohio State. After piling up 163 yards against the Buckeyes, preseason All-American running back Mohamed Ibrahim suffered a leg injury in the third quarter that abruptly ended his season.

Injuries at the running back position continued. By the end of the year, the Gophers severely tested their depth at the position.

“Five scholarship running backs out and then we relied on our two freshmen: Ky Thomas and Mar’Keise Irving,” says head coach P.J. Fleck. “Those guys did a tremendous job carrying us toward the middle to the end of the year.”

With a next-man-up mentality, Minnesota recovered and finished the season strong. Season highlights include defeating Purdue on the road 20-13 on October 2 and Wisconsin at home 23-13 on November 27.

Redshirt senior quarterback Tanner Morgan provided the offense leadership and experience throughout the season while throwing for 1.935 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Minnesota overcame injuries to its running back corps in large part because of an outstanding offensive line. All five starters were recognized by the Big 10 with all-conference honors.

“Our offensive line did a great job leading our football team,” Fleck said. “We played really good complementary football this year and I think that helped with the running game leading the way.”

The Gophers’ stingy defense might be the team’s strength. It held opponents to 284 yards per game, fourth best in the nation.

“We were deeper than we’ve ever been on defense this year,” Fleck says. “Everybody did their job, and everybody was really in sync.”

While a victory over West Virginia would conclude the year on a threegame winning streak and build momentum for the 2022 season, the team takes a one step at a time approach.

“We take things as one-game seasons,” Fleck says. “This is another one-game championship season.”

Season at a Glance Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-4)

Sept. 2 vs. Ohio State L 45-31 Sept. 11 vs. Miami OH W 31-26 Sept. 18 @ Colorado W 30-0 Sept. 25 vs. Bowling Green L 14-10 Oct. 2 @ Purdue W 20-13 Oct. 16 vs. Nebraska W 30-23 Oct. 23 vs Maryland W 34-16 Oct. 30 @ Northwestern W 41-14 Nov. 6 vs. Illinois L 14-6 Nov. 13 @ Iowa L 27-22 Nov. 20 @ Indiana W 35-14 Nov. 27 vs. Wisconsin W 23-13