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/ FootballBateman's Big Day Leads Gophers
8/31/2019 10:09:00 AM | Football
Sophomore receiver caught five passes for 132 yards and shook the internet with a one-handed catch
By Emily Polglaze
Communications Assistant
If the expectations of Rashod Bateman were high in Minnesota's season debut, he met them with a bang — and shook the internet doing it.
In the Gophers' 28-21 win against South Dakota State, Bateman made five receptions for 132 yards in the first game of his sophomore season.
One of them was especially big: a one-handed, 42-yard touchdown grab from Tanner Morgan with 49 seconds to go in the first half. The spectacular catch shook TCF Bank Stadium and lit up social media, racking up hundreds of thousands of views before the game even ended.
"To be honest, a lot of people have asked me how I did that, and the answer is that I don't know," Bateman said. "I'd like to say that God was with me on that one."
Whether it was divine intervention, luck or finely-honed skill, Bateman put together a first half to remember as Minnesota took a took a halftime lead against the Jackrabbits.
Of Minnesota's 176 passing yards, Bateman accounted for 75 percent of them. He made all five of his receptions in the first two quarters.
"Rashod is one of the hardest working guys on this team. He comes to work every day with an attitude to get better," Morgan said. "He made a lot of deep plays and he's just showing everybody how explosive he is."
The performance was especially impactful as Bateman has been making his way through some tough personal times recently. His uncle, who was an impactful figure in his life, recently passed away.
"He was pretty special," Bateman said. "I know he's always there with me so I've just got to continue to ball for him."
Head coach P.J. Fleck commended Bateman for the way that he handled the situation, from going home to Georgia to be with his family to being open with staff on how he was coping.
"[When] that young man can come play like that, make a catch like that, that's what it's all about," Fleck said. "The catch was beautiful, but what I saw was the process leading up to that catch. And when he caught it, that's Rashod responding to adversity, because that's what he does."
Bateman has wasted no time making an impact for Minnesota. Bateman set freshman records last season for the Gophers when he made 51 catches for 704. His six touchdown receptions were the second-most ever by a Minnesota freshman.
Bateman's 132-yard performance on Thursday was his third 100-yard game and he has now made a catch in all 14 games of his career.
If the first game is any indication of what's to come for Bateman, the future — and highlight videos — look bright.
Communications Assistant
If the expectations of Rashod Bateman were high in Minnesota's season debut, he met them with a bang — and shook the internet doing it.
In the Gophers' 28-21 win against South Dakota State, Bateman made five receptions for 132 yards in the first game of his sophomore season.
One of them was especially big: a one-handed, 42-yard touchdown grab from Tanner Morgan with 49 seconds to go in the first half. The spectacular catch shook TCF Bank Stadium and lit up social media, racking up hundreds of thousands of views before the game even ended.
"To be honest, a lot of people have asked me how I did that, and the answer is that I don't know," Bateman said. "I'd like to say that God was with me on that one."
Whether it was divine intervention, luck or finely-honed skill, Bateman put together a first half to remember as Minnesota took a took a halftime lead against the Jackrabbits.
Of Minnesota's 176 passing yards, Bateman accounted for 75 percent of them. He made all five of his receptions in the first two quarters.
"Rashod is one of the hardest working guys on this team. He comes to work every day with an attitude to get better," Morgan said. "He made a lot of deep plays and he's just showing everybody how explosive he is."
The performance was especially impactful as Bateman has been making his way through some tough personal times recently. His uncle, who was an impactful figure in his life, recently passed away.
"He was pretty special," Bateman said. "I know he's always there with me so I've just got to continue to ball for him."
Head coach P.J. Fleck commended Bateman for the way that he handled the situation, from going home to Georgia to be with his family to being open with staff on how he was coping.
"[When] that young man can come play like that, make a catch like that, that's what it's all about," Fleck said. "The catch was beautiful, but what I saw was the process leading up to that catch. And when he caught it, that's Rashod responding to adversity, because that's what he does."
Bateman has wasted no time making an impact for Minnesota. Bateman set freshman records last season for the Gophers when he made 51 catches for 704. His six touchdown receptions were the second-most ever by a Minnesota freshman.
Bateman's 132-yard performance on Thursday was his third 100-yard game and he has now made a catch in all 14 games of his career.
If the first game is any indication of what's to come for Bateman, the future — and highlight videos — look bright.
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