(Image Courtesy: Quick Lane Bowl/ Detroit Lions)
Written by Austin Fackler
Georgia Tech came into Wednesday night’s game knowing it would be head coach Paul Johnson’s last game leading them, and they wanted to send him out the right way. Minnesota had a different plan, as they too wanted to end their season on a high note.
The Golden Gophers won the toss and elected to receive as they took no time getting into a groove running the ball, at one point running it 6 straight times. The drive would stall out however and the Gophers would settle for a field goal to take an early 3-0 lead.
Georgia Techs high-powered option offense would start their first drive of the game from their won 27-yard line. Minnesota was ready for the tricky offense however forcing a three and out quickly getting the ball back to their offense.
The Minnesota offense pushed right down the field yet again going 48 yards in just over three minutes, capped off by an 18 yard touchdown pass from Tanner Morgan to star receiver Tyler Johnson to take a 10-0 lead late in the first quarter.
The Georgia Tech offense again struggled to get anything going offensively going three and out on their second offensive possession.
A shanked punt gave Minnesota great field position, allowing them to be within scoring position to end the first quarter. As the second quarter got underway, the Gophers would again get within the 20 yard line but would have to settle for a field goal to push their lead to 13-0.
The following Georgia Tech offensive possession saw the offense get on track by driving up the field, converting on a fourth down from two yards away to keep the drive alive midway through the first half. The conversion wouldn’t mean much as they would be forced to punt again, giving the ball back to a Minnesota offense that seemed to be clicking on all cylinders.
Georgia Tech’s defense stood tall however getting a big stop with 22 seconds left in the first half, creating an opportunity for some points before halftime. The Yellow Jackets were able to get into field goal range and Wesley Wells drilled a 44-yard FG to make the Minnesota lead 13-3 at halftime.
Mohamed Ibrahim lead the Gophers with 105 yards rushing on 19 attempts. Tanner Morgan finished the half 4/10 for 53 yards and a touchdown pass to Tyler Johnson.
The Yellow Jackets did not have much to be happy about in the first half finishing with just 75 yards of total offense. Opening the second half for the Yellow Jackets it was all the same offensively just not being able to get anything going, as they had to again punt away to the Minnesota offense.
Minnesota made quick work of their next opportunity going 60 yards in just 5 plays that lasted only two minutes. A 41-yard pass from Tanner Morgan to Chris Autman-Bell was a huge assist to the drive. Ibrahim capped off the efficient drive with a three yard rushing touchdown to give the Gophers a 20-3 lead mid-way through the 3rd quarter.
Georgia Tech would figure out their offense however on their next drive, converting two separate fourth downs on a drive that was finished by a Nathan Contrell 20 yard run to cut the Gopher lead to 10 as Minnesota led 20-10.
Minnesota would not waste any time returning the favor, as the Golden Gophers would score following yet another Ibrahim rushing touchdown to increase the lead to 27-10 in the 4th quarter.
After a turnover on downs gave the Gophers the ball back on their own 27 they drove the field and again scored on a pass from quarterback Tanner Morgan to Tyler Johnson for that duos’ second touchdown of the day to increase their lead to 34-10 nearing the end of the game.
That score would remain as Georgia Tech fumbled the ball with a minute remaining allowing the Golden Gophers to get into the victory kneel formation to win the Quick Lane Bowl!
Mohamed Ibrahim who finished the game with 224 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns led Minnesota. Tanner Morgan also threw for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns, both to receiver Tyler Johnson.
