The Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-5) took on the New Mexico Lobos (9-4) on Friday afternoon in the Rate Bowl from Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. This was a low-scoring game, with Minnesota leading 7-6 through three quarters. In the fourth quarter, Minnesota scored a touchdown to take a 14-6 lead.
However, New Mexico came to score a touchdown when Damon Bankston returned a 65-yard kickoff for 100 yards. New Mexico successfully made a two-point conversion to tie the game 14-14. The game went to overtime. New Mexico took a 17-14 lead on a 36-yard field goal by Luke Drzewiecki. Minnesota ended the game when quarterback Drake Lindsey threw a game-winning 12-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Smith, and the Golden Gophers defeated the Lobos 20-17.
Minnesota’s offense had 252 yards (147 yards passing, 105 yards rushing), 16 first downs, and the team was penalized nine times for 87 yards. Quarterback Drake Lindsey completed 18 of 28 passes (64%) for 147 yards, two touchdowns, four carries for -15 yards, and one rushing touchdown.
Running back Darius Taylor had 24 carries for 116 yards, one rushing touchdown, and four catches for 23 yards. Wide receiver Jalen Smith made six catches for 64 yards and two touchdowns, while Kio Perich made four catches for 34 yards.
Kicker Brady Denaburg had three kickoffs for 195 yards (65 AVG) and made extra points. The defense made 64 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, one forced fumble, one interception, and four pass breakups.
New Mexico’s offense had 204 yards (88 yards passing, 116 yards rushing), 17 first downs, and the team was penalized six times for 50 yards. Quarterback Jack Layne completed 14 of 25 passes (56%) for 88 yards and two carries for 34 yards.
Running back Damon Bankston had 10 carries for 57 yards, five catches for 23 yards, one kick return for 100 yards, and one touchdown. Wide receiver Keagan Johnson made four catches for 42 yards, while Dorian Thomas made three catches for 15 yards.
Kicker Luke Drzewiecki made 3 of 3 field goals (100%) with a long of 36 yards. The defense made 54 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, one fumble recovery, one interception, and six pass breakups.
