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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Gophers coach P.J. Fleck opted to wear a white quarter-zip for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Friday. The color choice won’t contrast too much with the off-white mayonnaise to be dumped over his head after a 24-10 win over Virginia Tech at Bank of America Stadium on Friday.
Minnesota rode a 21-point second quarter to its eighth straight bowl win since 2015, including all six under Fleck since 2018.
After the final whistle, players gave Fleck an early, traditional Gatorade bath to give his overshirt a blue tint.
The Gophers (7-5) were without seven starters — five opt-outs, one transfer and one injury — while Virginia Tech (6-6) was down 13 starters for those three reasons.
Max Brosmer and Darius Taylor set single-season school records on the same second-quarter touchdown drive. Brosmer’s 259th completion broke Adam Weber’s mark set in 2007. Taylor’s 53rd reception topped Chuck Rios’ record for running backs set in 1994.
Taylor capped the drive with a 28-yard touchdown run as Minnesota scored 21 straight points. Virginia Tech kicker John Love hit a bowl record 60-yard field goal to make it 21-10 at the half.
With Daniel Jackson not playing, Elijah Spencer — who transferred to the U from Charlotte two years ago — totaled six receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns.
The Gophers’ defense tied a season high with four sacks, with Anthony Smith, Jack Henderson and Danny Striggow getting one apiece. Linebackers Maverick Baranowski and Devon Williams recorded 1/2 sacks.
Brosmer threw an interception in the fourth quarter and, with the return, Virginia Tech had the ball at the Gophers’ 15-yard line, but U cornerback Za’Quan Bryan killed the comeback bid with an interception on fourth down and a 30-yard return.
In the first half, Minnesota dialed up a few trick plays on its second possession…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/gophers-run-bowl-streak-eight-034800075.html
Author : Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.
Publish date : 2025-01-04 03:48:00
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