RB Darius Taylor returns for the Gophers, who face a bowl game with four defensive starters.
In a Quick Lane Bowl on Tuesday, Minnesota defeated Bowling Green 30–24 thanks to a career-high 208 yards of rushes by rookie Darius Taylor, who had been sidelined due to a leg injury.
Minnesota (6-7) won their seventh straight bowl game overall and its fifth in a row under head coach P.J. Fleck.
The squad was chosen for the bowl based on its best academic improvement rate among five-win teams.
After missing the previous five games for the Gophers, Taylor had 35 carries, including an 17-yard touchdown run halfway through the final quarter that put Minnesota ahead 30–17.
The 5-foot-11 rushing back, who was born in Detroit, had only appeared in one game since his September three-game average of 176 yards.
Bowling Green (7-6), who lost for Quick Lane Bowl one the second consecutive year, saw Conor Bazelak throw for two scores and run for one.
For Minnesota, where senior Cole Kramer was starting at quarterback for the first time after Athan Kaliakmanis used the transfer portal, Taylor’s return was critical.
Kramer was supposed to depart the show at the end of the regular season, but he persisted since he was engaged to Katie Miller, who attended the game on Tuesday and was featured heavily on the ESPN broadcast.
Kramer performed admirably in the red zone, throwing fer two touchdowns and running for another, but only completing 8 of 16 passes for 26 yards.
Bowling Green was only able to muster 82 yards of rushing as the Gophers carried the football 44 times for 255 yards.
Minnesota (6-7) won their seventh straight bowl game overall and its fifth in a row under head coach P.J. Fleck.
The squad was chosen for the bowl based on its best academic improvement rate among five-win teams.
After missing the previous five games for the Gophers, Taylor had 35 carries, including a 17-yard touchdown rush midway through the fourth quarter that put Minnesota ahead 30–17.
The 5-foot-11 rushing back, who was born in Detroit, had only appeared in a single contest since his September three-game average of 176 yards.
“Watching him return to his home state and hometown and accomplish what he did in front of a large crowd of supporters is really amazing,” Fleck remarked.
He’s a fantastic young man and a truly unique guy. He will also serve as one of the program’s long-term faces.
Fleck remarked, “We’re bowl champs without a lot of injuries.” “Many would have given up, but Cole deserves a great deal of credit for leading this team that did not.” I am truly appreciative of him, thrilled with his leadership, and proud of it.
Bowling Green (7-6), who lost the Quick Easy Bowl for the second consecutive year, saw Conor Bazelak throw for two scores and run for one.
At the half, the Falcons led 10–9, but in the third quarter, the Gophers gained momentum. I’m proud of Minnesota. They managed to produce a couple more plays than we did.
“Both teams gave it their all,” Bowling Green College coach Scot Loeffler remarked. The inability of some players to play presented some challenges for both teams to overcome.
Kramer scored on a 1-yard sneak to conclude an 11-play, 78-yard drive. After Bowling Green went three and out, Minnesota answered six plays later when Kramer found Jameson Geers for a 7-yard pass.
With 2:33 left, Bazelak ran two yards for a touchdown to pull the Falcons within six points, but Minnesota recovered the resulting onside kick and ran out the time.
During the regular season, Kramer had completed just one pass, which was intercepted, but he completed his first five attempts.
Less than a minute and a half into the game, Bazelak found Odieu Hiliaire for a 46-yard pass, giving Bowling Green the lead.
Elijah Spencer was hit by Kramer for four yards in return. The attempt to convert two points was unsuccessful.
The clubs had not faced one other since Bowling Green triumphed 14–10 in Minnesota on September 25, 2011. In bowls, Minnesota moved up to 12-12 all-time, while Bowling Green dropped to 5-10.