Minnesota linebacker Maverick Baranowski is locked in for one more ride with the Gophers, and he’s making it clear-this bowl game isn’t just a sendoff for the season, it’s a springboard into what he hopes will be a big final year.
Meeting with the media ahead of Minnesota’s upcoming bowl matchup with New Mexico, Baranowski touched on everything from his return to the program, to the value of bowl season, to the young talent emerging behind him. And through it all, one thing stood out: this team isn’t coasting into Phoenix-they’re preparing to finish strong.
A Bonus Month with the Brotherhood
Ask Baranowski what makes bowl games special, and he doesn’t hesitate.
“Bowl games are awesome,” he said, with the kind of grin you can hear in his voice. “It’s another opportunity to spend another month with the guys. Travel, go to a cool place, spend some time together, and celebrate the season we put together.”
That extra time together matters. For a team that prides itself on culture, bowl season isn’t just a reward-it’s a continuation of the grind, with a chance to celebrate and compete at the same time. And for Baranowski, who’s been through multiple bowl trips, it’s been nothing but good memories.
“All the bowl games I’ve been to have been a blast,” he said. “It’s been a great bowl season so far, and we’re excited to get out to Phoenix.”
One More Year in Maroon and Gold
The big news? Baranowski is coming back.
“Yeah. I’ll be back next year,” he confirmed.
“I’m excited to be a part of this defense and a part of this culture another year for my final year. It’ll be awesome.”
That’s a major boost for Minnesota’s defense. Baranowski has been a steady presence in the middle of the field, and his return gives the Gophers a proven leader in the heart of Joe Rossi’s system. In a college football landscape where player movement is constant, getting a veteran like Baranowski back is no small win.
Navigating the Modern College Football World
With NIL and the transfer portal reshaping the game, Baranowski acknowledged that returning wasn’t just about football-it was about communication, trust, and long-term vision. And he credited head coach P.J. Fleck for helping him navigate that process.
“Coach Fleck does a great job keeping a tight bond with his players through navigating all of that,” Baranowski said. “Having that communication with Coach Fleck has been a great opportunity for me to learn how everything works and how to do what is best for my future as well as the team’s future.”
That kind of relationship matters, especially in today’s game. For Baranowski, it made the decision to return feel like the right one-both on and off the field.
Film Room Focus: Preparing for New Mexico
Minnesota’s upcoming opponent, New Mexico, brings a lot of variety on offense. They’re not a team you can figure out overnight-and that’s where bowl prep becomes a difference-maker.
“Film study is always important,” Baranowski said. “The best part about a bowl week is you get extra time. You get four weeks to study your opponent, and here at Gopher Football, that’s what we do best-we study.”
He pointed to the defensive coaching staff, including Coach Danny Collins, as key figures in keeping the team sharp.
“They’ll make sure we’re ready to go for the game,” he said. “We’re super excited to keep studying them. They do a lot of stuff-they’re versatile, they can throw, they can run really well-so it should be a really fun game plan.”
Why Bowl Games Matter at Minnesota
While some programs treat bowl games as exhibitions, that’s not how it works in Minneapolis. Under P.J. Fleck, the Gophers are a perfect 6-0 in bowl games-and there’s a reason for that.
“We’re all about football here. We’re all about winning games,” Baranowski said. “Some people may look at a bowl to take the foot off the gas-we don’t do that here.”
Instead, Minnesota uses the postseason as a platform. It’s a chance to build momentum, get younger players reps, and chase one more trophy.
“We look at it as a way to build off last season, as well as a way to get younger guys reps and finish off with a bowl championship,” Baranowski said. “We’re really excited to get another opportunity to play next to each other, grow as football players, and get better.”
Young Guns Getting Their Shot
And speaking of those younger players-bowl season is where they start to shine.
“It’s been awesome, very valuable time for them,” Baranowski said. “Older guys get to rest, and the younger guys get to show all the work they’ve put in behind closed doors all season.”
He singled out a few names who’ve impressed in recent practices: Ethan Stendel, Nate Cleveland, Zack Harden, and Zahir Rainer.
“They’ve really had nice weeks the past couple weeks,” he said. “They’re looking good.
It’s really good reps for them, very valuable. It will pay off in the end.”
The Bottom Line
For Baranowski and Minnesota, this isn’t just another bowl trip. It’s a chance to close the year with a win, develop the next wave of talent, and lay the foundation for 2026. And with their veteran linebacker returning to anchor the defense, the Gophers are setting themselves up for more than just a strong finish-they’re building toward something bigger.