Minnesota Wins thriller Over New Mexico in OT, Extending postseason Streak to Nine
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PHOENIX – A dramatic overtime finish carried Minnesota past New Mexico 20-17 Friday night at Chase Field, extending the Gophers’ postseason winning streak to nine games and keeping alive a storied bowl tradition for the program.
minnesota moved ahead late in the third quarter on a 5-yard touchdown run by Darius Taylor to make it 14-6. The Lobos answered with a 100-yard kickoff return by Damon Bankston, jolting momentum back in New MexicoS direction and knotting the game at 14-14 after a trick two-point conversion.
the teams traded punts as the clock wound down, sending the game to overtime in the desert.New mexico opened overtime with a drive that stalled at midfield, and Luke Drzewiecki connected from 36 yards to give the Lobos a 17-14 lead.
Minnesota answered in the first overtime, capitalizing on a stunning moment from Jalen Smith. The wide receiver hauled in a diving 12-yard touchdown on a catch that was initially ruled incomplete but overturned after an official review, giving the Gophers a 20-17 edge.
The finish capped a game in which Minnesota showed resilience and timely offense after a slow start.Drake Lindsey connected with Smith for a 10-yard touchdown late in the first half to pull Minnesota within seven at 7-6, and the defense held firm after halftime to preserve the win.
The victory extends Minnesota’s bowl streak to seven straight under head coach P.J. Fleck, tying Southern California and Utah for the second-longest in college football history. Florida State owns the record with 11 consecutive bowl wins from 1985-1995.
the Lobos earned a spot in their first bowl appearance since 2016, spurred by a notable defensive turnaround.After finishing last season in the FBS’ lower echelon for total defense, New Mexico climbed to no. 49 this season, yielding roughly 222 fewer yards per game than a year ago. They limited Minnesota to 112 first-half yards and forced the Gophers into two drives ending deep in their own territory.
On the ground, Minnesota’s offense found a late rythm, capped by a 75-yard, nine-play march that culminated with a rainbow touchdown pass from drake Lindsey to Jalen Smith in the back corner of the end zone just before the break. The Gophers’ defense also stepped up, weathering NM’s early surge and keeping the Lobos to only two field goals in the opening half for a 7-6 lead at the break.
Minnesota’s special-teams spark and a decisive OT catch proved to be the difference, as the Gophers secured a hard-fought victory to cap a season that showcased resilience and late-game execution.
Reporting by Associated Press.
Key Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Final Score | Minnesota 20, New Mexico 17 (OT) |
| Location | Chase Field, Phoenix |
| Attendance | Not disclosed in summary |
| Overtime Hero | Jalen Smith – 12-yard diving TD catch (review confirmed) |
| New Mexico Score via OT | 36-yard field goal by Luke drzewiecki |
| Notable Plays | Damon Bankston’s 100-yard kickoff return; Drake Lindsey to Jalen Smith (10-yard TD pass) before halftime |
| Season Impact | Minnesota’s bowl streak reaches seven consecutive wins; NM improves defense to No. 49 nationally |
What this Means for Minnesota and new Mexico
The Gophers added another chapter to a postseason legacy that has grown into a benchmark of consistency. Their seventh straight bowl win ties a select group of programs and keeps pace with some of college football’s traditional powers.
New Mexico,buoyed by a marked defensive advancement this season,demonstrated they can limit a potent opponent and create game-changing moments on special teams. The Lobos’ turnaround from a challenging defensive season to one that tightened gaps provides a foundation for future bowl runs.
For followers of both programs, Friday’s result offered a reminder that bowl games can hinge on a single sequence in overtime, and that defense, playmaking special teams, and disciplined execution remain the keys to closing out late leads in postseason play.
For more context on college football postseason history and program records, see coverage from NCAA and AP sources. NCAA • AP News.
What moment from this game stuck with you the most? Do you think Minnesota can build on this in the next bowl season?
Which area should New Mexico focus on to sustain this defensive uptick in 2025?
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