Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Darius Taylor (1) runs the ball during the Quick Lane Bowl between the Bowling Green Falcons and the Minnesota Golden Gophers. - Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Something was very different about the Minnesota Gophers offense in their 30-24 victory over the Bowling Green Falcons in the Quick Lane Bowl. Could it be that they were without their starting quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis who has entered the Transfer Portal? Or was it because tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford did not play as he prepped for his Senior Bowl appearance?
Taylor was the Difference
And there were no changes to the Gophers offensive line since their previous game against Wisconsin. And their receiving corps remained pretty much intact. The difference was the comeback of superstar freshman running back Darius Taylor.
Taylor rushed for 208 yards on 35 carries, and one rushing touchdown. Taylor you’ll remember was named Big Ten Back of the Week in three consecutive weeks for the Gophers. But a leg injury kept him out of seven of the final eight Minnesota regular season contests. But in Detroit, he was the difference maker.
Falcons Strike First
The Falcons wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the first quarter. On the fourth play from scrimmage, Bowling Green quarterback Conner Bazelak launched a long pass down the middle to receiver Odieu Hiliare. Hiliare ran right past Gophers’ cornerback Justin Walley, corralled the ball, and ran it in for the Falcons first score of the game.
But Minnesota did not waste any time striking back. Behind their workhorse Taylor, the Gophers went on a 13 play, 75-yard drive that culminated with a Cole Kramer to Elijah Spencer touchdown pass.
Gophers get Tricky
On the extra point attempt, Minnesota tried a little trickery. Aligned in a spread formation, the ball was snapped directly to Gophers’ kicker Dragan Kesich. Kesich attempted to run it in for a two-point conversion, but he was halted at the one-yard line.
Both teams’ offenses stalled until Minnesota got the ball back at their own 46-yard line with two minutes into the second quarter. Kramer helped his own cause by scrambling 31 yards for a Gopher first down at the Falcons 26-yard line. The drive would stall and Kesich came in and kicked a 31-yard field goal. This put the Gophers up 9-7 with 8:57 left in the half.
Gophers Turn the Ball Over
Neither team’s offense could do much for the remainder of the quarter until the Falcons took advantage of a Gopher miscue. On first and ten from the Minnesota 29-yard line Kramer was hit by Cashius Howell as he was attempting a pass to Le’Meke Brockington. The ball wobbled up in the air like a duck and was picked off by Bowling Green’s Darius Lorfils who returned it to the Gophers 15-yard line.
However, the Falcons were unable to punch the ball in from there and instead settled for a 33-yard field goal by Alan Anaya to pull ahead 10-9. And that was the score at halftime as the teams retreated to their locker rooms.
Gophers Start the Second Half Hot
But at the start of the second half, Taylor and the Gophers offensive line started to take over the game. After the opening kickoff, Taylor would rush for 57 yards to catapult Minnesota down the field. And Jordan Nubin came in and rushed for a spirited 21 yards up the middle to spell Taylor. Next, Kramer would put a bow on the drive scoring from one yard out to help Minnesota regain the lead.
And the Falcons went three and out on their next possession thanks to a jarring sack by Jah Joyner. Then the Gophers’ Quentin Redding fielded the ensuing punt and returned it 27 yards to the Bowling Green 27-yard line.
Kramer with Another Touchdown Pass
Taking advantage of the short field, the Gophers would score again when Kramer tossed a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jameson Geers. This would extend the Gophers lead to 13 over the Falcons.
Teams Exchange Touchdowns
Bowling Green would fight back in the early stages of the fourth quarter. Mixing run and pass, Bazelak would lead his team on an 80-yard march that ended with a PaSean Wimberly 18-yard touchdown run. This would cut Minnesota’s lead to 23-17.
On the following kickoff, Brockington would put the Gophers in excellent field position with a 51-yard return to the Falcons 48-yard line. And once again, Taylor would put the Gophers on his back and lead them to another score.
He accounted for most of the yards on this possession as he continued to hammer the Falcons defense. He would finish the drive off bolting through a big gap in the Bowling Green defense for an 18-yard touchdown run. The Gophers now led 30-17.
Fleck and Taylor Celebrate
Bowling Green would score a late touchdown on a Bazelak two-yard run, but the Gophers would hang on for a 30-24 win. For Gophers coach P.J. Fleck, it was his fifth straight bowl win as Minnesota’s coach. And it was the seventh straight bowl win for the program overall.
And not surprisingly, Taylor was named the Quick Lane Bowl MVP for his herculean effort. The future looks very bright for the Detroit native.
Minnesota’s defense struggled as they played without four of their starters. This included All-American safety Tyler Nubin who sat out as he prepared to play in the Senior Bowl. And they were also without defensive coordinator Joe Rossi who left Minnesota to become the defensive coordinator for Michigan State.
And Cole Kramer Heads West to his New Life
As for Cole Kramer, it was his first and last start as the Gophers starting quarterback. He is moving to Arizona to marry his fiancé, Katie Miller. It was a Travis Kelce/Taylor Swift like replay as the television cameras continued to pan to Ms. Miller cheering Cole on. It was an amusing sidenote to a very entertaining game.
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