Friday night at Chase Field, Minnesota edged New Mexico 20-17 in the Rate Bowl, extending a postseason winning streak that now stands at nine games.
Minnesota’s Overtime Surge
Jalen Smith’s second touchdown of the night came on a diving 12-yard catch in the first overtime, a play that was later confirmed by an official review. The win pushes the Gophers’ bowl-winning streak to nine games, a run that has been under coach P.J. Fleck for seven straight contests. Fleck remarked, “It’s all about the players – the resolve, the resiliency, the scrap they have,” and expressed pride in what the team continues to achieve.
New Mexico’s Resurgence
New Mexico entered the game 9-4 and had been a year after Kansas State’s 44-41 Rate Bowl victory. The Lobos went undefeated at home for the first time since 1962, beat UCLA for the first time since 2007, and played in a bowl outside Albuquerque for the first time since 2004. Their defense improved from the fourth-worst in the FBS a year ago to No. 49 this season, allowing about 222 fewer yards overall.
Coaching Reflections
Coach Jason Eck said, “I’m proud of all those things this team did,” noting the team’s toughness and consistent responses. He also added, “They have some really good players and a really good scheme,” after Minnesota’s defense held New Mexico to 124 total yards and two field goals for a 7-6 halftime lead.
Key Moments of the Game
Minnesota opened the scoring with a 5-yard touchdown run by Darius Taylor, then gave the ball back to New Mexico after a 100-yard kickoff return by Damon Bankston. A New Mexico 2-point conversion on a trick play tied the game at 14-all. New Mexico’s first possession stalled, and Luke Drzewiecki kicked a 36-yard field goal to start the game.
The Overtime Decision
The teams traded punts until the game went to overtime at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Minnesota’s quarterback Drake Lindsey finished with 147 yards and two touchdowns, including a 10-yard rainbow pass to Smith. Lindsey said, “Obviously, we didn’t start the way we wanted, but we battled,” reflecting the team’s perseverance.
Postseason Context
Minnesota’s bowl-winning streak of nine games matches Southern California and Utah for the second-longest all-time streak, behind Florida State’s 11-in-a-row run from 1985-95. The Gophers’ streak has been seven straight under coach P.J. Fleck.
Key Takeaways
- Minnesota’s 20-17 OT win extends its postseason streak to nine games.
- Jalen Smith’s diving catch was the decisive play, confirmed after review.
- New Mexico’s defense improved dramatically, moving from the fourth-worst to No. 49 in the FBS.
Minnesota will open the 2026 season at home against Eastern Illinois on September 3, while New Mexico hosts Central Michigan on September 5 to start the following year. The game was highlighted by strong performances from both teams and reinforced Minnesota’s resilience in the postseason.
