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University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
8-5 , 5-4
New Mexico
9-4 , 6-2
Team Stats
UNM 3, MIN 0
UNM - Drzewiecki,Luke 31 yd field goal 15 plays, 66 yards, TOP 08:35
UNM 6, MIN 0
UNM - Drzewiecki,Luke 29 yd field goal 11 plays, 34 yards, TOP 05:57
UNM 6, MIN 7
MIN - Smith,Jalen 10 yd pass from Lindsey,Drake (Denaburg,Brady kick) 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:21
UNM 6, MIN 14
MIN - Taylor,Darius 5 yd run (Denaburg,Brady kick), 12 plays, 80 yards, TOP 06:37
UNM 14, MIN 14
UNM - Bankston,Damon 100 yd kickoff return (Johnson,Keagan pass)
UNM 17, MIN 14
UNM - Drzewiecki,Luke 36 yd field goal 4 plays, 6 yards, TOP 00:00
UNM 17, MIN 20
MIN - Smith,Jalen 12 yd pass from Lindsey,Drake () 4 plays, 25 yards, TOP 00:00
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Smith Catch Seals 20-17 Overtime Win Against New Mexico
12/26/2025 7:20:00 PM | Football
PHOENIX -- — Jalen Smith scored his second touchdown on a diving 12-yard catch in the first overtime and Minnesota extended its postseason winning streak to nine games with a 20-17 win over New Mexico in the Rate Bowl on Friday.
A year after Kansas State beat Rutgers 44-41 in the Rate Bowl, the 2025 version turned defensive in the desert — until a flurry early in the fourth quarter.
Minnesota (8-5) went up 14-6 when Darius Taylor scored on a 5-yard touchdown run, but Damon Bankston returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. New Mexico's 2-point conversion on a trick play tied the game at 14-all.
The teams returned to trading punts, sending the game to overtime at Chase Field, home of baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks.
New Mexico (9-4) failed to get a first down on the opening possession and Luke Drzewiecki kicked a 36-yard field goal.
The Gophers and their fans then got to celebrate Smith's spectacular touchdown twice — once live, the other after an official review confirmed the catch.
Minnesota's bowl winning streak — seven straight under coach P.J. Fleck — matches Southern California and Utah for second-longest all-time, behind Florida State's 11 in a row from 1985-95.
The Lobos earned a spot in their first bowl game since the 2016 New Mexico Bowl behind a vastly improved defense. Fourth-worst in the FBS a year ago, New Mexico climbed to No. 49 this season, allowing about 222 yards less in total defense.
The Lobos shut down Minnesota for most of the first half, recovering a botched snap on a midfield fourth-and-1 attempt and holding the Gophers to 112 first-half yards.
Minnesota finally found an offensive rhythm late in the half, moving 75 yards in nine plays on a drive capped by Drake Lindsey's rainbow 10-yard touchdown pass to Smith in the back corner of the end zone.
Minnesota's defense wasn't bad, either.
The Gophers allowed two drives deep into their own end, but stiffened when they needed to, holding New Mexico to two field goals and 124 total yards for a 7-6 halftime lead.
Up next
Minnesota: The Gophers open the 2026 season at home against Eastern Illinois on Sept. 3.
New Mexico: Hosts Central Michigan on Sept. 5 to open next season.