Minnesota Extends Bowl Recreation Win Streak to 9 After Beating New Mexico

[ad_1] Jalen Smith scored his second landing on a diving 12-yard catch within the first additional time and Minnesota prolonged its postseason profitable streak to 9 video games with a 20-17 win over New Mexico within the Fee Bowl on Friday.

A yr after Kansas State beat Rutgers 44-41 within the Fee Bowl, the 2025 model turned defensive within the desert — till a flurry early within the fourth quarter.

Minnesota (8-5) went up 14-6 when Darius Taylor scored on a 5-yard landing run, however Damon Bankston returned the following kickoff 100 yards for a landing. New Mexico's 2-point conversion on a trick play tied the sport at 14-all.

The groups returned to buying and selling punts, sending the sport to additional time at Chase Discipline, residence of baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks.

New Mexico (9-4) didn't get a primary down on the opening possession and Luke Drzewiecki kicked a 36-yard subject objective.

The Gophers and their followers then obtained to rejoice Smith's spectacular landing twice — as soon as dwell, the opposite after an official evaluate confirmed the catch.

Minnesota's bowl profitable streak — seven straight below coach P.J. Fleck — matches Southern California and Utah for second-longest all-time, behind Florida State’s 11 in a row from 1985-95.

The Lobos earned a spot of their first bowl sport for the reason that 2016 New Mexico Bowl behind a vastly improved protection. Fourth-worst within the FBS a yr in the past, New Mexico climbed to No. 49 this season, permitting about 222 yards much less in whole protection.

The Lobos shut down Minnesota for many of the first half, recovering a botched snap on a midfield fourth-and-1 try and holding the Gophers to 112 first-half yards.

Minnesota lastly discovered an offensive rhythm late within the half, shifting 75 yards in 9 performs on a drive capped by Drake Lindsey's rainbow 10-yard landing move to Smith within the again nook of the top zone.

Minnesota's protection wasn't unhealthy, both.

The Gophers allowed two drives deep into their very own finish, however stiffened after they wanted to, holding New Mexico to 2 subject targets and 124 whole yards for a 7-6 halftime lead.

Reporting by The Related Press.

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