Tag: Minnesota Golden Gophers

Oct 12, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer (16) stiff arms UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Siale Taupaki (92) during the second quarter at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Max Brosmer’s TD pass late in 4th rallies Minnesota past UCLA

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Max Brosmer threw a go-ahead, 4-yard touchdown pass to Darius Taylor with 27 seconds to go, and visiting Minnesota held on for a 21-17 win over UCLA in a Big Ten Conference matchup on Saturday night.

Taylor also scored a rushing touchdown for Minnesota (4-3, 2-2), which earned a victory at the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1962. Brosmer completed 26 of 37 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns.

Ethan Garbers completed 25 of 36 passes for 293 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions for UCLA (1-5, 0-4). J.Michael Sturdivant was the Garbers’ top target with seven catches for 107 yards and a touchdown.

The Golden Gophers trailed 17-14 when they got the ball at their 39-yard line with 2:20 remaining. Brosmer guided a seven-play, 61-yard scoring drive that culminated with a quick pass to Taylor as he found an opening and sprinted untouched into the end zone.

The Bruins tried a Hail Mary pass as time expired, but Garbers’ desperate heave was picked off in front of the goal line by Golden Gophers defensive back Koi Perich.

UCLA established a 10-0 lead at the half.

Keegan Jones put the Bruins on the scoreboard with a 1-yard rushing touchdown with 8:49 to go in the first quarter. He took a snap in the wildcat formation and followed some big blockers on his way to the end zone for his first touchdown this season.

Mateen Bhaghani added a 34-yard field goal as time expired at the end of the half.

Minnesota pulled within 10-7 when Brosmer connected with Elijah Spencer for a 12-yard touchdown with 10:33 to go in the third quarter. Spencer caught the ball near the Bruins’ 5-yard line and scampered along the left sideline for the score.

Taylor put the Golden Gophers on top 14-10 with 7:16 left in the third quarter. He took a handoff and shoved past the goal line for his sixth rushing touchdown of the season.

UCLA grabbed a 17-14 lead on a 42-yard touchdown pass from Garbers to Sturdivant with 6:54 remaining. Sturdivant got a couple of steps behind the Golden Gophers’ secondary and caught a pass in stride.

–Field Level Media

Oct 5, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Donielle Hayes (18) celebrates his teams win after the game against the USC Trojans at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Minnesota looks to avoid letdown in encounter vs. skidding UCLA

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Minnesota is coming off one of its biggest victories in years after it knocked off then-No. 11 Southern California a week ago in Minneapolis.

Now, the challenge for Minnesota (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) will be to avoid a letdown after a big win. The Golden Gophers will visit UCLA (1-4, 0-3) on Saturday evening in their first meeting since 1978.

Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said he was proud of his players for toppling USC on a night he called “electric,” but that the mood had shifted from festive to focused.

The Golden Gophers’ 24-17 victory followed back-to-back losses against Iowa and then-No. 12 Michigan. The team did not quit, Fleck said, which gave him hope going forward.

“We play in a very, very competitive league where every week is going to be a dogfight,” Fleck said. “We’ve been close on a lot of games, and those (losses) sometimes can take a team and turn them into a downward spiral. This team’s never done that. They just continue to come back and work throughout the week.”

The next test will come on the road against the Bruins, who hope to snap a four-game losing streak. UCLA is coming off setbacks to three straight ranked opponents — 34-17 against then-No. 16 LSU, 34-13 vs. then-No. 8 Oregon, and 27-11 against then-No. 7 Penn State last week.

First-year Bruins coach DeShaun Foster said his team showed flashes of positive play, particularly against Penn State, but it needed to execute on a more consistent basis.

“We’re just trying to put together a full game,” Foster said, “and hopefully it will be this week that we do that.”

Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer has passed for 1,263 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions for the season. Top running back Darius Taylor has 402 yards and five touchdowns on 73 carries.

UCLA is led by quarterback Ethan Garbers, who has passed for 808 yards and three touchdowns, with six interceptions. T.J. Harden leads the team with 151 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Logan Jones (65) and defensive lineman Yahya Black (94) celebrate with the Floyd of Rosedale trophy after the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson rushes for 206 yards, 3 TDs as Hawkeyes roll Minnesota

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Kaleb Johnson ran for a career-high 206 yards and three touchdowns, helping lead Iowa to a 31-14 win over Minnesota in Minneapolis on Saturday.

Jaziun Patterson added 66 rushing yards for the Hawkeyes (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten), who won the Floyd of Rosedale Trophy, given annually to the winner of the game. Cade McNamara completed 11 of 19 passes for just 62 yards, but Iowa won its ninth game in 10 contests against Minnesota.

The Golden Gophers (2-2, 0-1) led 14-7 before Iowa outscored them 24-0 in the second half. Max Brosmer completed 22 of 37 passes for 209 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Daniel Jackson hauled in nine passes for a game-high 112 yards for Minnesota.

Trailing by 7 points at halftime, Iowa’s five-play, 67-yard scoring drive on the opening possession of the second half was stamped with Johnson’s 15-yard score with 12:56 left.

After a Minnesota punt, McNamara found Reece Vander Zee for an 18-yard pickup on 3rd-and-6, advancing to the Iowa 49-yard line. Three plays later, Johnson reeled off his third touchdown of the game, a 40-yarder to give the Hawkeyes a 21-14 lead with 5:43 remaining in the third quarter.

Iowa added a field goal with 48 seconds left in the third, as Drew Stevens connected on a 46-yarder.

Following the Golden Gophers’ fourth straight punt, Johnson took a 33-yard run to the Minnesota 19-yard line on the first play of the fourth quarter. After advancing to the goal line, quarterback Brendan Sullivan replaced McNamara for the short-yardage attempt and extended the Iowa lead to 31-14 with a one-yard rushing score with 11:13 left in the game.

After the teams traded punts on the opening possessions, Brosmer was picked off by Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins at the Minnesota 38-yard line.

On the ensuing drive, Johnson’s 23-yard run was followed by his one-yard score, giving Iowa a 7-0 lead with 8:03 left in the first quarter.

From there, each team punted on three straight drives before Minnesota tied the game on Brosmer’s three-yard pass to Jameson Geers.

Following Iowa’s fifth punt of the first half, Brosmer led the Golden Gophers on an eight-play, 68-yard scoring drive, capped with an 11-yard passing touchdown from Brosmer to Elijah Spencer with 21 seconds left in the half. Minnesota held a 222-107 edge in total yards at the break, including Brosmer’s 165-16 passing yards advantage over McNamara.

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kaleb Johnson (2) runs for a 27 yard touchdown against the Iowa State Cyclones during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Iowa star Kaleb Johnson to test Minnesota’s stingy defense

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Offense and Iowa haven’t exactly gone together like peanut butter and jelly in recent years.

But the Hawkeyes can boast of an NCAA leader in a pretty important category ahead of their Big Ten Conference opener Saturday night against Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Kaleb Johnson enters the weekend as the top rusher in FBS with 479 yards through three games. Last week, he rolled up 173 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries in a come-from-behind 38-21 home win over Troy.

The first Iowa running back to rush for more than 100 yards in three straight games since 2015, Johnson says that he’s become a more refined runner in his third season with the Hawkeyes (2-1).

“My first two years here, I was so used to just using my speed on people because that’s how it was in high school,” he said. “Now, just me knowing that people are faster than me, it kind of hurt a little bit, because I’m used to just outrunning everybody.

“Now, it’s just me knowing that and me putting my strength, using my strength and putting my feet and my head down and just going.”

Johnson faces a stiff test on the road this week.

The Golden Gophers (2-1) have logged consecutive shutouts since a season-opening, two-point loss to North Carolina. Last week, they eased past Nevada 27-0, limiting the Wolf Pack to 10 first downs and 172 total yards.

Like the Hawkeyes, Minnesota enjoyed a big game from a running back with three touchdowns and 161 yards from scrimmage last week by Darius Taylor.

But the Gophers’ strength is their defense, under new coordinator Corey Hetherman, which has permitted only one touchdown.

“He’s brought a new energy, new attitude to this team,” said linebacker Maverick Baranowski. “We played hard last year, but this year we are really clicking. It helps we’re a lot older and more mature.”

This will be the 118th meeting of the longtime rivals, who play for the Floyd of Rosedale trophy. The Gophers own a 63-52-2 lead in the series, winning last year 12-10 in Iowa City.

–Field Level Media

Jul 25, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

New QBs highlight UNC-Minnesota opener

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Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck chuckled as he recalled a conversation between his staff and the coaching staff at New Hampshire, an FCS program.

The subject of their discussion was quarterback Max Brosmer, who shined during 36 games over parts of four seasons at New Hampshire and will make his Golden Gophers debut on Thursday against North Carolina in Minneapolis.

Brosmer led the FCS in passing yards last season and was named a second-team FCS All-American.

Now, Brosmer was transferring to Minnesota. His old coaches were thrilled.

“They were so excited for him,” Fleck said with a smile. “That meant one of two things. One, he wasn’t as good as (we) thought, and they were glad to get rid of him — which was not the case. Or two, it was, ‘We’re really happy for this young man. This is the best opportunity for him. It’s about Max, it’s not about us.’”

Behind Brosmer, Fleck’s squad is looking to bounce back from a 6-7 campaign last season. North Carolina, meanwhile hopes to put together its third winning season in a row after posting nine victories in 2022 and eight in 2023.

The Tar Heels also will feature a new starter under center, although they are being much more open-ended than Minnesota about who that starter will be. Max Johnson and Conner Harrell competed throughout training camp to take over for departed starter Drake Maye, who was selected No. 3 overall by the New England Patriots in this year’s NFL draft.

North Carolina coach Mack Brown said Johnson and Harrell would split playing time.

“Right now, we’re planning on playing both quarterbacks, depending on how the game dictates,” Brown said. “We want to have two quarterbacks ready to play. That’s important to us. Very few people do that.

“We would like to play two quarterbacks, and we would like to do it for the season. … Conner and Max are the same in some ways, but they’re different in others, and the offensive staff has done a really good job of blending the line with what both of them do best.

“So I feel really good going into the game about the plan for both of those because they’ve tailored it to where the quarterback that’s in the game will have things that he can do best.”

The game will mark the debut of Corey Hetherman as Minnesota’s defensive coordinator. Hetherman replaced Joe Rossi, who left for the same role at Michigan State.

The Golden Gophers’ biggest challenge on defense likely will be how to stop junior running back Omarion Hampton, who rushed for 1,504 yards and 15 touchdowns for North Carolina last season. He also caught 29 passes for 222 yards and a score.

“They’ve got a stable of running backs,” Fleck said. “They always do. They’ve got really good receivers. Everybody’s talking about, well, Drake Maye is not there. But they reloaded. They didn’t rebuild; they reloaded with the guys that they have.”

Meanwhile, Minnesota running back Darius Taylor was dealing with an injury from training camp and his status was uncertain for Thursday. Taylor rushed for 799 yards and five touchdowns in six games as a freshman in 2023.

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (8) makes a throw against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports

Transfer portal: QB Athan Kaliakmanis leaving Minnesota

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Minnesota starting quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis intends to enter the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining, he stated on Tuesday.

As a sophomore this season, Kaliakmanis completed 156 of 294 passes (53.1 percent) for 1,838 yards, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 12 games for a 115.2 passer rating.

“Minnesota will always be an important place in my life and one that I believe has helped me grow immensely, both as a player and a man for the last three years,” Kaliakmanis wrote on X. “After several days of discussion with my family, I am announcing my intention to enter the transfer portal with 2 years of eligibility left.”

His backup, fifth-year senior Cole Kramer, played in two games and his only pass was intercepted. Kramer has one season of eligibility remaining. Drew Viotto, a freshman who didn’t see action for Minnesota this season, also announced his intention to transfer elsewhere.

The Golden Gophers, who went 5-7, could have another quarterback in contention for playing time next season. Max Brosmer, who led the FCS in passing yards (3,449) and passing yards per game (313.5) and was second in touchdown passes (29) at New Hampshire, entered the transfer portal and announced on X on Monday that Minnesota offered him a scholarship.

–Ten Michigan State players have entered the transfer portal since the Spartans (4-8) ended their season with a loss to Penn State on Friday and announced former Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith as their new head coach on Saturday.

On Tuesday, Noah Kim joined two other scholarship quarterbacks — redshirt freshman Katin Houser and freshman Sam Leavitt — already in the portal.

A redshirt junior, Kim played in five games this season and was 91 of 160 for 1,090 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions.

Kim, a former starter, will be joined in the transfer portal by wide receivers Christian Fitzpatrick and Tyrell Henry and offensive linemen Geno VanDeMark, Spencer Brown, Kevin Wigenton II and Ethan Boyd.

–North Carolina junior defensive lineman Kedrick Bingley-Jones announced that he is entering the transfer portal.

The 6-foot-4, 305-pounder appeared in four games this year and make two solo tackles, including one for loss. He played in 26 games total for the Tar Heels in three seasons.

–Field Level Media

Oct 21, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (8) throws a pass against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota, in last shot to secure bowl eligibility, faces Wisconsin

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Minnesota’s final chance to secure bowl eligibility arrives when Wisconsin visits for a Big Ten matchup on Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis.

The Golden Gophers (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) missed out on three consecutive chances to qualify for a bowl bid, coming off losses against Illinois, Purdue and No. 2 Ohio State.

The finale of the 2023 regular season is the annual border battle against a top rival that would love to ruin Minnesota’s hopes.

“We’ve just got to know as a team that it’s on the line right here,” Golden Gophers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis said. “This is a really big game for us. We’re going to go play our best football.”

It’s also a big game for Wisconsin (6-5, 4-4). The Badgers, looking to finish with a winning record on the season and in conference play in the first season under coach Luke Fickell, beat Nebraska last week to snap a three-game losing streak.

With the 24-17 win, Wisconsin became bowl eligible for the 22nd consecutive season. The Badgers can bolster their bowl resume with a road win to end the regular season.

Fickell said he asked the team’s upperclassmen to explain to their younger teammates how important the rivalry game is against Minnesota.

“The guys that have been here so long are the ones who lead us,” Fickell said. “The guys in the locker room who have been in this rivalry are the ones we ask to be in the forefront of it.”

The winning team will receive “Paul Bunyan’s Axe,” a prize that has existed since 1948. The series goes back even further than that, with the programs tied 62-62-8 as they enter their 133rd all-time meeting.

Kaliakmanis will try to finish the regular season on a positive note for Minnesota. He has passed for 1,671 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Badgers quarterback Tanner Mordecai also is looking to end on a high note. During an injury-marred season, he has passed for 1,542 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Nov 11, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State coach Ryan Day watches the team during the NCAA football game against Michigan State University at Ohio Stadium.

No. 2 Ohio State vows not to look past Minnesota

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Ohio State has one more obstacle before its showdown at Michigan — the No. 2 Buckeyes will host banged up Minnesota on Saturday in Columbus.

The Buckeyes (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten) fell one spot in the College Football Playoff rankings released Tuesday after holding the top spot the first two weeks. Georgia is ranked first, Michigan third.

Ohio State will play at Michigan on Nov. 25, with the winner advancing to the Big Ten championship game.

While the Buckeyes know wins in the next two games should secure one of the four playoff spots even if they were to lose in the conference title game, the Golden Gophers (5-5, 3-4) are vying to become bowl eligible by winning at least one of their final two games. Minnesota will finish the season at home against Wisconsin.

The Gophers are coming off a 49-30 loss to Purdue in which Minnesota starting linebacker Cody Lindenberg did not play because of an injury and backup Maverick Baranowski exited after the first series. Also, safety Aidan Gousby was out with an injury.

“Unfortunately, some of our best players are out, and it seems like every week it’s just the inconsistency of who’s actually out there,” Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said Monday. “There’s no excuses. I mean, 100 percent falls on the coaches and what we have to do to get better.”

Ohio State played its most complete game of the season last Saturday, a 38-3 win against Michigan State in which the usually slow-starting Buckeyes scored on five of six drives in the first half.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day said Tuesday he has no concerns that the Buckeyes will look past the Gophers.

“Coming to work every day with these guys, this is a great team to be around,” Day said. “We’re going to do it again this week and keep swinging. … The urgency has to be at an all-time high at this point of the season.

“P.J. does a great job. They’re going to come in here and play hard. We’re going to have to prepare for it like any other game.”

The Buckeyes will look to receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to lead them again. Against Michigan State, he had a 19-yard run for his first career rushing touchdown and caught seven passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns despite being pulled along with several other starters after the first series of the third quarter.

“The Heisman Trophy goes to the most outstanding player in the country. … I get to see him every day,” Day said. “I think he is the most outstanding player in the country.

“He wants to be great. I know that. You can just tell that, and his actions back that up, and his production speaks for itself on the field.”

Harrison is second nationally with 12 receiving TDs and seventh with 1,063 receiving yards.

Fleck knows the Gophers’ defense will have a task trying to contain Harrison.

“I think he has a great knack and feel for how defenses are going to be played and how they are going to stop him and what the route concept is and what the route calls for,” Fleck said.

–Field Level Media

Nov 11, 2023; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver Deion Burks (4) celebrates with tight end George Burhenn (81) and wide receiver Jaron Tibbs (13) after scoring a touchdown against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Purdue rolls past Minnesota to end losing skid

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Hudson Card passed for three touchdowns, rushed for one and Purdue pulled away for a 49-30 win over visiting Minnesota in a Big Ten Conference matchup Saturday afternoon in West Lafayette, Ind.

Card completed 17 of 25 passes for 251 yards and three scores for Purdue (3-7, 2-5), which snapped a four-game losing streak and won for the first time since Sept. 30 against Illinois.

The Boilermakers’ Devin Mockobee finished with a game-high 153 rushing yards and a touchdown, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. finished with 122 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Purdue gained 353 yards on the ground.

Athan Kaliakmanis completed 18 of 42 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns for Minnesota (5-5, 3-4), which missed a chance to secure bowl eligibility for the second week in a row. Chris Autman-Bell, Brevyn Spann-Ford and Elijah Spencer had one touchdown catch apiece for the Golden Gophers.

Six players found the end zone for Purdue. Tracy, Card and Mockobee combined for four touchdowns on the ground. Deion Burks, Garrett Miller and T.J. Sheffield caught one touchdown pass apiece.

Purdue outgained Minnesota 604-407 in total yards.

The Boilermakers led 28-20 at halftime and outscored Minnesota 21-10 in the second half.

Minnesota opened the scoring on its first possession. Spann-Ford caught a 20-yard touchdown pass.

On the next drive, Card hit Miller for a 20-yard touchdown to even the score.

After Minnesota made a field goal, Purdue grabbed a 14-10 lead with 1:05 remaining in the first quarter. Card found Sheffield for a 24-yard touchdown.

Another Golden Gophers field goal cut the deficit to one point.

Purdue surged with back-to-back touchdowns to grab a 28-13 lead late in the first half. Tracy scored on an 8-yard run and Card scored on a 1-yard run.

Minnesota pulled within 28-20 with 16 seconds to go before halftime. Autman-Bell caught a 27-yard pass for his first touchdown of the season.

Burks caught a 42-yard touchdown pass for the only score of the third quarter. That increased Purdue’s lead to 35-20.

Mockobee made it 42-20 with a 6-yard rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

Minnesota settled for a field goal to pull within 42-23 with 10:38 to play.

Tracy tallied his second rushing touchdown, this time from 1 yard out, with 5:13 remaining.

Spencer capped the scoring for Minnesota with a 4-yard touchdown catch with 2:37 to go.

–Field Level Media

Nov 4, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive lineman Chris Collins (13) celebrates after recovering a fumble against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota meets Purdue again chasing bowl eligibility

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After a heartbreaking loss, Minnesota once again will try to become bowl eligible when it visits Purdue on Saturday afternoon in a Big Ten Conference matchup in West Lafayette, Ind.

Minnesota (5-4, 3-3 Big Ten) is coming off a 27-26 defeat at home to Illinois last week. The Golden Gophers led in the final minutes before Illinois’ backup quarterback John Paddock entered the game in the final drive and completed all three of his passes, including one for a game-winning touchdown.

Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said his players could learn from the setback.

“We’ve got to play an entire game,” Fleck said. “And the whole thing with this team is, to this day, nine games in, and we still have not played a complete complementary football game yet.”

They will get another chance against Purdue (2-7, 1-5), which is mired in a four-game losing streak. The Boilermakers are coming off a 41-13 loss on the road against No. 3 Michigan.

Five of Purdue’s seven losses have come by double digits.

Boilermakers coach Ryan Walters acknowledged that his team has been eliminated from bowl contention, but he said there still is plenty of meaning in the remaining games.

“Everybody can count to six, right?” Walters said. “So the path to postseason play is not there. It breaks my heart for the seniors, the guys that have exhausted eligibility and this will be their last season.

“The message to the team (this week) was, ‘This is like a new season within a season.’ These last three games, for the guys that it will be the last time they will put on a uniform, to close out the right way. You’ll be remembered about the way you finished the season and the way you went out and fought and competed.

“And then for the guys that are coming back, it’s the start of a new season. How do you want practice to be run? How do you want the games to be played? How do you want next season to look? It’s got to show up in these next three games.”

–Field Level Media