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University of Minnesota Athletics
Quick Lane Bowl Update #1
12/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 25, 2015
The Gophers have been in Detroit for about 36 hours for the Quick Lane Bowl and have had an action-packed itinerary. Minnesota arrived in the Motor City on Dec. 24 and then promptly went Fowling, which is a combination of football and bowling.
The Gophers and Central Michigan met for the first time and the event and after about 90 minutes of individual team competition, the two squads faced off in the center lanes for a best two-out-of-three series. The Minnesota quartet of Mitch Leidner, Trey Hansen, Julian Huff and linebacker coach Mike Sherels swept the series before posing for a celebratory photo in front of a large `M' banner emblazoned with Ski-U-Mah.
The team then headed back to the hotel for the night before an afternoon practice at Ford Field - where the Detroit Lions play - on Christmas day. Prior to practice the team serenaded head coach Tracy Claeys with a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday. The Gophers will be playing in their third NFL stadium in their last four bowl games, as Minnesota played at the home of the Houston Texans in the Texas Bowl in both 2012 and 2013.
After practice, the team received its bowl gifts and then returned to the team hotel for a holiday feast.
Minnesota's Saturday is again jam-packed with activities. The Gophers held an early 9 a.m. practice at Ford Field before heading to Gleaners Community Food Bank, where they packed thousands of meals for the needy.
Minnesota and Central Michigan will meet for the second time during bowl week at the official welcome dinner at the Henry Ford Museum where Lions' legend Herman Moore will address the teams about life after football.
The Gophers and Central Michigan will meet on Monday afternoon in the Quick Lane Bowl. The game will mark Minnesota's fourth-straight bowl game.
