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University of Minnesota Athletics
Bowl Blog: History Repeating Itself?
12/25/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Leading into the 2008 Insight Bowl, Gophersports.com will take a look back at some memorable bowl moments.
The 2002 Golden Gopher football season was eerily similar to Minnesota's 2008 campaign. Following a "bowl-less" 2001 season, then-head coach Glen Mason had this to say prior to the 2002 season. "Yes, we were disappointed that we didn't qualify for postseason play last season. We played numerous first and second-year players. That learning experience, we feel, will pay dividends this year and for seasons to come."
Under second-year starter Asad Abdul-Khaliq at quarterback, Minnesota opened the year with four straight wins (like in 2008), then dropped its Big Ten opener on the road at Purdue (like in 2008 as Minnesota fell at Ohio State). The Golden Gophers then rolled to three straight league victories, including a 28-7 win at Michigan State to push their record to 7-1. Minnesota entered the rankings for the first time in two years following the win. Unfortunately, the 2002 and 2008 Golden Gophers each dropped their final four games, including matching heart-breaking losses at Wisconsin.
After the Sun Bowl passed Minnesota over in favor of Purdue, the Golden Gophers looked ahead to their allotted practices and a December 30th matchup with Arkansas in the Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tenn. The Razorbacks entered the game ranked 25th in the country following a loss to No. 4 Georgia in the SEC title game.
Leading into the game:
- The biggest test for Minnesota entering the game was the Arkansas running game. The Razorbacks led the SEC in rushing at 229.6 yards per game, while the Golden Gopher defense gave up an average of 303 yards on the ground during its four-game slide. Minnesota would take the field in Nashville under new defensive coordinator Greg Hudson.
- The media wondered about the mindset of Arkansas after seeing its six-game winning streak snapped against Georgia in the SEC Championship game. The Razorbacks would've ended up in the Sugar Bowl against Florida State with the victory.
- The SEC entered the game with an 0-4 all-time record in the Music City Bowl. Razorback receiver George Wilson talked about that fact. "I know, I know. We know all about it. We're on a mission to be the first SEC team to win this bowl. That's exactly what we're here to do."
- Minnesota had not won a bowl game since the 1985 Independence Bowl.
The game:
- Minnesota looked the part of a team entering the game on a four-game losing streak. The Razorbacks, led by quarterback Matt Jones, traveled 74 yards in just eight plays to take an early 7-0 lead. From there, it was all Golden Gophers.
- Dan Nystrom wasted little time in etching his name in the Big Ten record books. He connected on four first-half field goals to give Minnesota a 12-7 lead and make him the Big Ten's all-time leader in kick scoring and field goals made. Nystrom passed Purdue's Travis Dorsch.
- Senior cornerback Mike Lehan was burned on the first play of the game on a 29-yard pass completion. Soon Lehan would be on the bench, not by coach's decision, but because of a stomach virus he contracted that morning. After missing a couple of series while he was throwing up, Lehan returned and stopped a late first-half scoring drive with an interception. He added his second interception in the third quarter.
- Minnesota extended its lead to 19-7 as Abdul-Khaliq found Ben Utecht for a 19-yard score less than three minutes to go in the third quarter. Utecht entered the game following a regular season that saw him struggle with a broken foot.
- The fourth quarter was more of the same as Nystrom tied Adam Bailey's school record with his fifth field goal. Thomas Tapeh (right) sealed the game with a 33-yard touchdown run with 7:49 to play.
Following the game:
- The victory over Arkansas would start a three-game bowl win streak for Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated Oregon in the 2003 Sun Bowl and Alabama in the 2004 Music City Bowl.
- Dan Nystrom was named the game's most valuable player.
- Minnesota's defense allowed 550 yards, including 301 yards on the ground by Anthony Davis, in the regular season finale at Wisconsin. In the Music City Bowl, the Golden Gopher defense held the SEC's best rushing team to 80 yards on the ground and 288 total for the game.
- Minnesota followed the win over Arkansas with a 10-win season in 2003. That possibility wasn't lost on Utecht as he met the media following the bowl game in Nashville. "It's everything. The only reason I say that is, how many returning starters do we have? We've got so many returning starters and such a young team, nothing motivates these guys better than a win. It builds confidence."
