Texas Bowl

Syracuse 21, Minnesota 17 

The Gophers slept thru the first three quarters today before waking up and scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter to make a ballgame out of this one, another late bowl game collapse sunk them again though as they fall to Syracuse 21-17 in the Texas Bowl.  The Gophers finish the season with an 8-5 record.  It was a frustrating game to watch, their QB play was atrocious, they made too many mental mistakes, they got out coached and out schemed, yet they still had a chance to win this one with under two minutes to go, only to lose it.  It's such a Minnesota thing to happen.  With all that being said, I'm happy with the season, I thought realistically they were looking at 6 maybe 7 wins this year and they did finish with 8, they were competitive in most of their loses too.  They seem to have turned a corner, hopefully the momentum they built this year can continue into next season. 

Observations: 

• The Gophers are now 0-21 under Jerry Kill when trailing at half time. 
• Jerry Kill's return to the sideline in the second half did seem to motivate the team.  
• The Gophers were one fourth quarter first down from winning this game.  
• That's six straight bowl game loses for the Gophers.  It's time to end that streak.
• David Cobb didn't crack 100 yards but he did reach #14 on Gopher single season rushing list.
• It was nice to see that streak of 13 straight quarters without an offensive TD come to an end. 
• The Gopher QB's need to work on their accuracy.  Don't rule Chris Streveler out next year either. 
• Gopher WR Drew Wolitarsky picked a nice time for his first collegiate touchdown reception. 
• The Gophers really had a tough time picking up all of the Syracuse blitz packages.  
• I would have liked to have seen Donovahn Jones get a few more touches.
• 8 penalties is an uncharacteristically high number for the Gophers.
• Pete Mortell did a nice job punting, he out punted his coverage on that last one though. 
• Gophers were out coached in this one.  Syracuse had a solid game plan. Gophers not so much.
• Gopher TE Maxx Williams had a nice game.  5 catches, 77 yards, 1 TD. 
• That questionable fourth quarter roughing call on Josh Campion was a killer.  
• It wasn't Matt Limegrover's best game as Gopher Offensive Coordinator.  
• I really wasn't too impressed with the Gophers white bowl game helmets.
• I was impressed with Syracuse QB Terrel Hunt.  He's a true dual threat QB.