Dec 28, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Donnell Kirkwood (20) rushes against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the first quarter of the Care Care Bowl at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
- UPDATE: Texas Tech beats Minnesota, 34-31. The Red Raiders have a game winning 28-yard field goal as time expired.
- UPDATE: Minnesota is tied at the end of the third quarter, 24-24. The third quarter was a crazy one as a potential Texas Tech touchdown was reversed, followed by multiple penalties and a blocked field goal opportunity by the hands by Briean Boddy. Gophers tied the game with a touchdown by the arm of Philip Nelson to the hands of Devin Crawford-Tufts.
UPDATE: Minnesota trails at halftime, 24-17. Texas Tech is led by quarterback Seth Doege. He notched a rushing touchdown with seconds remaining in the first half to take the lead. Touchdowns for the Gophers are from the running back tandem; one each from Donnell Kirkwood and Rodrick Williams.
UPDATE: Minnesota trails Texas Tech 14-10 after the first quarter. Lone Gopher touchdown by Rodrick Williams with a 2-yard rushing touchdown.
Who: Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-6) v. Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-5)
What: Meineke Car Care Bowl; first bowl for Minnesota since 2009; rematch of the Insight Bowl that got Glen Mason fired.
When: Tonight, Friday, Dec. 28. 8 pm.
Where: Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. ESPN.
A 2-6 Big Ten conference record is not the prettiest to look at, but when a team is able to go undefeated in non-conference play…it’s time to go bowling. In Jerry Kill’s second season at Minnesota, the Gophers are going bowling. The team is playing Texas Tech, a team who finished 5th in the Big 12.
Keys to victory:
The secondary must be primary
The Red Raiders have a prolific passing offense, led by the arm of Seth Doege. The quarterback will notch his four thousand passing yards on the season tonight and is likely to have two receivers with over one thousands yards each. The secondary for Minnesota has to step up once again to keep the team in the game. Seniors Michael Carter and Troy Stoudermire will determine the facet of the game.
If it works, don’t fix it
With game time looming, the public is not sure who the starting quarterback is for the Gophers tonight. When the offense takes the field, everyone will finally found out. Whoever it may be, the coaching staff should stick with its selection if it works during the game. The worst thing for freshman Philip Nelson would be to start him, but pull him for MarQueis Gray if he scuffles early. This is a team looking more towards the future than the present.
Act like you have been there
The youth of Minnesota is likely to be shown tonight against Texas Tech. While seniors lead multiple positions, especially on the defensive side of the ball, the Gophers play a lot of true freshman. The amount of total underclassmen that Jerry Kill puts on the field is more than several.
Texas Tech 34
Minnesota 31
That’s all folks
It’s good. Texas Tech beats the #Gophers 34-31 with the game-winning 28-yard field goal.
Both teams call timeouts. Intense.
Texas Tech with the chance to win. Two seconds remaining.
31-31.
28-yard field goal opportunity
Nelson throws a pick. The corner takes it back to field goal range.
I need a hug.
31-31 as Seth Doege hits Ward for a touchdown.
The Gophers gamble with the defensive formation and gets beat.
1:10 left for Philip Nelson.
Tie game
Shabazz with the near INT.
3:24 left…can the Gophers defense hold once more??
Gophers will be giving the ball back to Texas Tech with 3 and a half minutes to go.
Michael Carter!!!
ANOTHER INTERCEPTION!
Predicted this, kinda.
I really don’t get the idea of going with Gray on that last drive. Nelson has played well…give the ball to him.
On 3rd and 7, Gray completely overthrows DCT. Gophers will give the ball back to Texas Tech with 7:37 to go. Up 31-24.
Minnesota with 200+ rushing yards.
Kirkwood leads the group, but he, Williams, and Gray all with over 50 yards a piece
Michael Carter! INT!!!!! Ski-Yee-Haw
15-yard penalty on Texas Tech on second down. Gophers and Red Raiders both penalized a good share tonight.
DCT had an opening on the left side, but Nelson barely misses him.
Eldred punts for only the second time tonight.
AJ Barker’s mom’s friend is a Texas Tech fan today…
Rallis gets a fumble, but Doege’s knee was down. Fourth down…
Minnesota ball once again.
Martez Shabazz with the pass breakup on first down. The Gophers secondary is looking very crisp. Doege is not seeing the holes that he did in the first half.
Nelson rifles it to Drew Goodger for the score.
31-24 Gophers
This is where MarQueis Gray should be under center, but it’s Nelson.
Wow, that is not too shabby of a play to start the 4th quarter.
BUTTTTT…he was down at the 1/2 yardline.
First and goal for the Gophers.
Philip Nelson chucks it deep once again…this time he completes it to Engel for the score!
Gophers now up 31-24 over Texas Tech.
End of the third!
Tied game, 24-24
Engel is barely out of bounds on a deep pass from Nelson.
MarQueis Gray showing his speed. Sprints 26 yards.
What a change in momentum.
The fans chanted BLOCK THAT KICK…
and it is!!!
A 37-yard field goal is blocked by Briean Boddy!
SWAT! Hageman with the slap to give it fourth down.
Third and goal at the 15 1/2 yardline. A huge swing *no pun intended*.
Moreso, the tight end Amaro ejected after throwing a punch. Could allow the ball to be 3rd and goal at the 16!
More punches…
But first…Tech with a touchdown to take the lead…but perhaps it’s not a touchdown.
Minnesota cannot stop Stephens on third down. First and goal for Texas Tech.
Holding on the offense negates a Red Raider touchdown. Gophers are lucky this time around.
No dice. Calls stands. Tech ball.
That’s a fumble!!!! Will the refs agree?!
Offense calls way too simple of a call on fourth down. Too obvious of a run…should’ve went with something different.
Kill: “We don’t need no stinkin’ timeouts”
Minnesota has used two timeouts already in the third quarter.
Nelson to Engel on third down, but was short. FOURTH DOWN!
Put this in the something you don’t see everyday file:
Nelson in shotgun, motioned Gray from the right to under center…Gray takes the snap and gets the first down.
Gophers now with over 150 rushing yards. 13 carries to Kirkwood, 11 to Williams.
Rodrick Williams has been very impressive tonight. Such a bruising running back.
Both MarQueis Gray and Philip Nelson in for a snap. 10-yard run for Nelson.
The Gophers get another stop. Two punts now for Texas Tech.
SACK! Ra’Shede Hageman with the first sack for Minnesota tonight.
After a three and out, can the Gopher defense do it again? Ward breaks a few tackles for the Red Raiders.
I had Crawford-Tufts as one of the five Gophers that need to show up tonight. Did with that great touchdown grab.
That’s the pass that all Gophers fans were looking for.
A great read and TOUCHDOWN by Nelson to DCT.
Tie game, 24-24.
Engel was WIDE OPEN for an easy touchdown, but Nelson overthrows the receiver.
Nelson misses DCT deep, but connects with Derrick Engel for the big first down.
BREAKING Philip Nelson is back in the game for the Gophers under center.
The Gophers force a three and out! A-MA-ZINGGGG
The second half is underway! Ski-Yee-Haw
Stat update:
Gophers are 3 of 5 in the passing game…sticking with the rushing game. 30 carries.
So close, but yet so far.
Hageman gets so close to Seth Doege, but he slips past for the rushing score.
Gophers will be down 24-17 at the end of the first half.
Quick reminder that Texas Tech gets the ball first in the second half.
And they go for it on fourth down. Completes it to WIlliams. Tech likely to get points before the half. 24 seconds to go in the half.
Interesting. Texas Tech played conservative on that drive. I just do not get it…
Gophers have 5 penalties for 64 yards so far this half; Texas Tech has 6 for 68
At least with 4th and 49…people don’t have to worry about a fake punt situation.
Dumb play by Zac Epping. The left guard is charged with another penalty.
It’s going to be 2nd and 42…
Really surprised that the flags keep piling on. Two fouls that time for the Gophers.
And coach Kill is going BANANAS!
Gray continues to show confidence tonight. Jukes 8 yards for the first down. The rushing game looks legit tonight.
Minnesota has not scored over 17 points since October 27th against Purdue. The Gophers have 17 already in the second quarter.
Game is getting ROWDY!
28-yard field goal attempt by Texas Tech is good.
Tied, 17-17.
Pass interference on Michael Carter. Not looking sharp. Texas Tech with a third-and-goal.
PHEW! Derrick Wells forces a drop. Would’ve been a touchdown for Texas Tech.
Eric Stephens is looking good so far for Texas Tech. The running back was originally committed to the Gophers back in 2009.
The Minnesota secondary is not looking good so far. (Key number one ^^)
Finally had an incompletion.
TOUCHDOWN ALERT!
Donnell Kirkwood with the rushing touchdown to retake the lead for the Gophers.
17-14
Stat: The Gophers dominated time of possession in the first quarter. Almost 13 minutes compared to two.
End of the first quarter…Minnesota is down 14-10. The rushing game is looking strong tonight. Both Gray and Nelson have played. Got to feel good so far.
MarQueis Gray has confidence tonight.
Another first down has Minnesota in the red zone.
BREAKING MarQueis Gray is in the game under center. Not sure if it’s the right move with two straight successful drives.
Something to note: Mike Rallis got manhandled on that drive. Not good for your starting MLB.
This is not a Big Ten offense. Texas Tech showing that a passing offense usually reigns successful. Texas Tech up 14-10 after a 13-yard reception from Edwards.
Gophers defense in a 4-2-5 formation.
Seth Doege has to go out for one play. Helmet falls off after running the ball.
On Texas Tech’s first play from scrimmage, Doege finds one of his favorites in Ward.
In the first two drives, Minnesota has 50 rushing yards. Establishing the run!
First and goal…
AND
TOUCHDOWN!
Rodrick Williams with the 2-yard touchdown.
Minnesota is setting up the run. Donnell Kirkwood showing that he is boss. Runs over a defender to get 26-yard gain.
Then Rodrick Williams gets another first down.
Philip Nelson trying to show that he has some great agility. Pass completed to tight end John Rabe.
After not having a return touchdown all season until the final regular season game, Texas Tech does it again.
A kickoff return for a touchdown make the score 7-3 in favor of the Red Raiders.
Back to back sacks on Philip Nelson will set up a field goal opportunity for Jordan Wettstein.
AND…
The 41-yard attempt is GOOD!
3-0 Gophers
Nelson keeps it on the option play and gets sacked on second down. Minnesota is eating up almost six minutes of clock.
First reception! Play action pass to Derrick Engel for a chunk play. First and goal for the Gophers.
Texas Tech showing some toughness as one of the defensive lineman decides to shove right tackle Josh Campion after a play.
Philip Nelson under center to start the game for the Gophers. A lot of movement with the receivers early.
With the opening kickoff return, Troy Stoudermire breaks the NCAA record for his career!
Game will began on ESPN News tonight as the Russell Athletic Bowl goes into overtime. Gophers elect to receive
With a healthy offensive line, Minnesota is going with Caleb Bak at RG. Walk-on sophomore that has played well this season.
According to Dana Wessel, Philip Nelson will get the starting nod at quarterback tonight over MarQueis Gray.
Less than 90 minutes until kickoff.
Keanon Cooper will be wearing #51 tonight in honor of Gary Tinsley. Cooper, in his final Gopher game, will be repping his former best friend’s old jersey.
We all know Goldy will be ready for tonight’s game, but will the football team??
One thing to keep in mind about the Red Raider defense: the team has not forced a turnover since late October.
Topics: Big Ten, Football, Gophers, Jerry Kill, Marqueis Gray, Meineke Car Care Bowl, Minnesota, Minnesota Golden Gophers, Philip Nelson, Texas Tech
Steger is the football and basketball writer for Gold and Gopher. He enjoys to use puns and thinks he knows fashion by wearing Puma track jackets and plaid shirts. More importantly, he loves advanced statistics in sports.
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