Gophers Survive Defensive Slugfest, Outlast New Mexico in OT Thriller at Rate Bowl
PHOENIX - If you love gritty defense and fourth-quarter drama, the Rate Bowl delivered. And if you're Minnesota, it delivered something even better - a ninth straight bowl win, this one a 20-17 overtime escape over New Mexico at Chase Field.
It wasn’t pretty. In fact, it was downright messy at times. But when the dust settled, it was the Gophers celebrating, thanks to a clutch 12-yard touchdown pass from Drake Lindsey to Jalen Smith on the final play of overtime - a strike that capped a gutsy performance in a game that was more rock fight than shootout.
Lindsey, the freshman quarterback who’s already building a reputation for late-game poise, wasn’t sharp throughout - finishing 18-of-28 for 147 yards and two touchdowns - but once again, when Minnesota needed him most, he delivered. Just like he did in comeback wins over Purdue, Rutgers, and Michigan State during the regular season, Lindsey found a way to win.
Both of Lindsey’s touchdown passes went to Smith, including the game-winner, and they were the kind of throws that show why Minnesota’s future at quarterback looks bright.
A Bowl Streak Extended
With the win, Minnesota pushed its bowl streak to nine straight victories dating back to 2015 - a run that now includes a perfect 7-0 mark under head coach P.J. Fleck.
That’s not just consistency; that’s culture. And even though this one didn’t come easy, it’s another chapter in what’s become a golden era for the Gophers in December football.
New Mexico Brings the Fight
New Mexico, making its first bowl appearance since 2015, didn’t look like a team just happy to be there. The Lobos, who stunned UCLA earlier this season, gave Minnesota everything it could handle. They held the Gophers to under 230 total yards in regulation, forced six punts, and took advantage of eight Minnesota penalties that constantly disrupted rhythm and field position.
Defensively, the Lobos were disciplined and physical, bottling up the Gophers’ run game for long stretches and making life tough on Lindsey. If not for a few key breakdowns - especially in overtime - this one might’ve gone the other way.
A Wild Fourth Quarter Turned the Game
Minnesota looked like it might finally seize control early in the fourth quarter when Darius Taylor punched in a 5-yard touchdown to give the Gophers a 14-6 lead. But that momentum lasted about 10 seconds.
On the ensuing kickoff, New Mexico’s Damon Bankston took it 100 yards to the house - and it wasn’t even close. No cuts, no broken tackles - just a clean sprint down the field for the tying score. Add a smooth two-point conversion, and just like that, it was 14-14.
It was Bankston’s second kickoff return touchdown of the season, and it couldn’t have come at a better time for the Lobos.
Fleck’s Gamble Pays Off
Later in the fourth, with New Mexico facing a fourth-and-2 near midfield, Fleck kept his starting defense on the field and could be seen shouting “fake” from the sideline. He was right. The Lobos tried to catch Minnesota off guard with a direct snap run, but Anthony Smith blew it up in the backfield, flipping momentum back in the Gophers’ direction.
It was a smart, aggressive call from Fleck - the kind that shows just how locked in he was, even in a game that had more than its share of chaos.
Early Struggles, Familiar Themes
Minnesota’s offense came out flat - again. The Gophers punted on their first two drives and turned the ball over on their third, continuing a season-long trend of slow starts. In fact, they opened with a punt in 11 of 12 games against FBS opponents this year.
The third possession featured a gadget play gone wrong. Minnesota lined up in a tush-push formation on fourth-and-1, but the snap went under Lindsey’s legs and bounced off fullback Frank Bierman’s arm before landing near Taylor, who couldn’t recover it. New Mexico jumped on the ball and turned the short field into a field goal and a 6-0 lead.
It wasn’t until late in the second quarter that Minnesota finally found some rhythm. Taylor sparked the drive with a 38-yard run around the left edge, showing off the burst that’s made him one of the Big Ten’s most promising backs. Lindsey finished it with a 10-yard touchdown to Smith, putting the Gophers ahead 7-6 at the half.
A Familiar Bowl Destination
This was Minnesota’s fifth trip to this Phoenix-based bowl, tying Kansas State for the most appearances. The Gophers previously played here in 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2021 - the latter a convincing 18-6 win over West Virginia. And while this one didn’t come with the same margin, it might be the most dramatic of the bunch.
What’s Next
For Minnesota, the win caps an 8-5 season that had its ups and downs but ends on a high note. The Gophers showed resilience, grit, and just enough playmaking to get it done - the kind of traits that bode well heading into the offseason.
As for New Mexico, it’s a tough pill to swallow, but there’s no shame in the effort. The Lobos went toe-to-toe with a Big Ten team and nearly walked away with a bowl trophy. That’s a strong foundation to build on.
In the end, it was a game that reminded us why bowl season still matters - not just for trophies and streaks, but for moments like Lindsey’s walk-off throw, Smith’s toe-tap catch, and a defense that refused to break. The Gophers didn’t play their cleanest game.
But they played their toughest. And on this night in Phoenix, that was enough.