The season of close calls continued for the Gophers this past weekend as Minnesota took a 26-25 loss against Penn St. On a chilly afternoon at Huntington Bank, it seemed only right for things to go the Gophers way, especially with the last home meeting being a special 2019 victory. However, this Nittany Lion team is no joke, proving to the Gophers why they are heading to the College Football Playoff.
After a quick three and out stop for the Gophers on Penn State’s first drive, the Minnesota offense took the field with a great level of confidence. The Gophers were able to get the entire offense involved on the drive as Brosmer completed multiple passes and Darius Taylor picked up a first down. However, it was the 20 yard scamper by Marcus Major that inevitably gave the Gophers the 7-0 lead early in the first quarter.
The rest of the first quarter was a defensive master class as the Gophers forced another punt and a turnover on downs. The Gophers first drive of the second quarter was another point producer with a field goal, however that was when Penn St. struck back. The Nittany Lions 45 yard touchdown made it a 10-7 game.
The Gophers then hoped to respond, but instead Max Brosmer threw an interception which set Penn State up in Gopher territory. They were able to tie the game, but what came next, no one was ready for. After a third down stop the Gophers blocked a punt, lining them up at the 21 yard line. Then, Bromser threw a touchdown to Jameson Geers on the next play to take the lead.
With just over a minute left in the half, Penn St. got the ball back and flew down the field. In just 44 seconds the Gopher defense had broken, and it looked like the game would be tied going into the half. That was until a clutch blocked extra point returned for a touchdown, giving the Gophers a 19-16 lead at half time.
As the second half began there was a nervousness in the air for what might happen. The Gophers started with the ball, and on a long drive cashed in for a field goal. However, late in the third quarter, the Nittany Lions struck back with a quick, 57 yard touchdown drive. The Gophers then got the ball back down 23-22 and needed a score.
The result was the opposite as Max Brosmer fumbled on an odd handoff to the running back around midfield. Penn St. was able to get three points out of it and Minnesota answered back with the same. The score was then 26-25 with just over five minutes to go. This is when the playoff caliber team came out of the Nittany Lions. They were able to slowly suck the noise out of the stadium, continuously converting on both third and fourth down.
As Penn State ran out the clock and the student section emptied there was a bit of sadness in Huntington. The 26-25 loss gives Minnesota a 6-5 record with one game to play this season. However, that game is not a small one. The Gophers will head to Madison on Friday morning to take on the Badgers.
With Wisconsin leading the all time series 63-62-8, a win could be an exclamation point on a season of almost. Regardless, the Gophers will be playing in a bowl game. Will they be bringing shorts and pride to a southern bowl game, or will they instead be stuck in a winter jacket of sadness in a lackluster northern bowl game?
