Forget a regular Gatorade bath. The Minnesota Golden Gophers earned their head coach a mayonnaise bath with a 24-10 win over the Virginia Tech Hokies in Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Friday.
“I’m excited for this one,” Minnesota QB Max Brosmer said of head coach P.J. Fleck’s upcoming date with Duke’s Mayonnaise.
Brosmer completed 18 of 29 passes for 211 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the win. Minnesota gave up a turnover in the first quarter, but never looked back. The Golden Gophers scored 21 unanswered points on three consecutive drives before halftime and added a field goal in the second half for good measure.
Minnesota running back Darius Taylor had 113 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown, in addition to a 10-yard passing touchdown and four receptions for 17 yards. Virginia Tech was held to 223 total yards, including 74 rushing yards.
Here’s a recap of the Friday’s matchup between Minnesota and Virginia Tech:
Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech highlights
Minnesota unleashed some magic with a trick play that ended up in the end zone. QB Max Brosmer tossed the ball to RB Darius Taylor in the backfield, who then threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to WR Elijah Spencer.
All you need is love… John Love that is. The Virginia Tech kicker made a 60-yard field goal, marking the longest in Duke’s Mayo Bowl history.
Watch: Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck receives mayo bath
Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck was the recipient of the mayo bath this year after his Golden Gophers defeated Virginia Tech 24-10 Friday night in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
End of 3rd: Minnesota 21, Virginia Tech 10
The Hokies have struggled to establish a run game through three quarters. Minnesota has held Virginia Tech to only 26 rushing yards on 22 rushing attempts. Virginia Tech QB William Watson III has completed seven of 10 passes for 70 yards. The Hokies started the game with QB Collin Schlee under center. He completed two of five passes for 68 yards.
Minnesota QB Max Brosmer has completed 17 of 27 passes for 191 yards and one touchdown. Minnesota has 149 rushing yards on 24 attempts.
Virginia Tech’s John Love nails 60-yard field goal
Virginia Tech is taking some momentum into halftime. Things looked pretty dire for the Hokies after giving up three straight touchdowns to Minnesota, but Virginia Tech was able to put some more points on the board heading into the locker room. QB William Watson III completed a 22-yard pass to receiver Ayden Greene along the sideline to set up the Hokies on Minnesota’s 42-yard line with four seconds remaining in the first half. Kicker John Love stepped up for his team and nailed a 60-yard field goal to cut Minnesota’s lead to 21-10 at halftime. Love’s field goal marks the second-longest in school history.
Minnesota scores; up 21-7 over Virginia Tech
Minnesota RB Darius Taylor now has a rushing touchdown to match his passing touchdown. Taylor ripped off a 19-yard run to set Minnesota up at Virginia Tech’s 23-yard-line with 1:07 remaining in the first half. A false start penalty backed the Golden Gophers up to the Hokies’ 28-yard line, but that was no problem for Taylor. He ran 28 yards to the end zone to put Minnesota up 21-7 over Virginia Tech. The Golden Gophers have scored on three consecutive drives and have put up 21 unanswered points against the Hokies.
Minnesota takes the lead; up 14-7 over Virginia Tech
Another possession, another touchdown for Minnesota WR Elijah Spencer.
Golden Gophers QB Max Brosmer connected with Spencer for a 12-yard touchdown to cap an eight-play, 65-yard drive. Brosmer has completed 8 of 14 passes for 110 yards and one touchdown. Spencer is up to three receptions for 48 yards and two touchdowns, tying a school record for touchdown receptions in a bowl game.
Minnesota ties it up 7-7 on trick play
Minnesota has some tricks up its sleeve. Lined up at Virginia Tech’s 10-yard-line, Golden Gophers QB Max Brosmer tossed the ball to RB Darius Taylor in the backfield. Taylor pulled up before the line of scrimmage and threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to WR Elijah Spencer with 10:18 remaining in the second quarter.
Virginia Tech leads 7-0
Virginia Tech is on the board. Hokies QB Collin Schlee rushed for a three-yard touchdown for the first points of the game. The touchdown run was set up by Schlee’s 67-yard completion to receiver Ayden Greene.
Minnesota misses field goal
The Golden Gophers are off to a rough start in the Mayo Bowl. Minnesota’s Koi Perich fumbled a punt return that was recovered by Virginia Tech. It appeared to be a case of friendly fire. While attempting to catch the punt, Perch collided with a teammate and the ball bounced into the hands of Virginia Tech’s Jonathan Pennix.
Minnesota held Virginia Tech to a three-and-out, but then surrendered a three-and-out themselves. The Golden Gophers got something going on their next drive and drove all the way to the red zone, but Minnesota had to settle for a field goal. Kicker Dragan Kesich then missed the 33-yard field goal attempt.
When is the Mayo Bowl between Minnesota and Virginia Tech?
The Duke’s Mayo Bowl game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Virginia Tech Hokies kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
How to watch Minnesota and Virginia Tech in the Mayo Bowl
The Duke’s Mayo Bowl game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Virginia Tech Hokies will be televised nationally on ESPN.
Live streaming is available on Fubo, which has a free trial.
Watch Minnesota take on Virginia Tech with a Fubo subscription
Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech: Mayo Bowl odds
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are favorites to defeat the Virginia Tech Hokies, according to BetMGM.
Odds as of Friday, Jan 3
Spread: Minnesota (-10)
Moneyline: Minnesota (-400); Virginia Tech (+310)
Over/under: 43.5
Mayo Bowl predictions: Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech
USA TODAY: Vast majority pick Minnesota
Scooby Axson: Minnesota
Jordan Mendoza: Minnesota
Paul Myerberg: Minnesota
Erick Smith: Virginia Tech
Eddie Timanus: Minnesota
Dan Wolken: Minnesota
ESPN: Minnesota 28, Virginia Tech 24
Adam Rittenberg writes: ‘P.J. Fleck was born to play and coach football, brainstorm mottos and eventually douse himself in mayonnaise after winning a bowl game. Can’t you see it now? Fleck’s team wasn’t far away from a much better season and boasts a solid formula of defense, Darius Taylor’s running and quarterback Max Brosmer’s efficient passing. Virginia Tech had far greater expectations than 6-6 this season, and could be facing some damaging personnel departures before January. The Hokies are very talented with running back Bhayshul Tuten, defensive end Antwaun Powell-Ryland and others, but there has been something missing all season. But Minnesota will win, setting up an epic mayo dump for Fleck.’
BetMGM: Minnesota will win
Staff writes: ‘The winning team model predicts Minnesota will win this game with 62.5% confidence, based on game simulations, offensive & defensive matchups and recent game results.’
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