Missouri didn’t follow the “script” and left no doubt today the Tigers are a superior team to the Gophers. Missouri defeated Minnesota 33-17 in the Citrus Bowl and the Gophers lost their seventh consecutive postseason game.
This writer and others who follow the Gophers passionately thought the Tigers might sleepwalk their way through the game but after a sluggish start Missouri sharpened its play. The “script” was for the Tigers—10-3 and SEC East Division champs—to be disinterested at the Citrus Bowl. The Gophers—the 8-4 underdogs from the mediocre Big Ten and playing their first New Year’s Day bowl game in 53 years—figured to be primed for the “kill” against a good team from the mighty SEC.
The Gophers were impressive early in the game and the Tigers were “yawning” for awhile but by halftime Missouri had a 10-7 lead. Minnesota trailed only 19-17 when the fourth quarter started but Missouri’s superior personnel wore down the Gophers and by the closing minutes the game wasn’t even close.
At most positions the Tigers were better offensively and defensively. And they were better in special teams, too. Missouri, trailing 7-0 in the first half, used a fake punt to gain a first down and change momentum. Then to start the second half the Tigers surprised the Gophers with an onside kickoff and moved down the field to kick a field goal to increase their lead to 13-7.
The worst special teams goof up of the day came on a horrendous fumble by Gophers punt returner Marcus Jones. The senior tried to catch a short punt with Tigers converging around him. His fumble and later a Minnesota personal foul led to a Missouri touchdown and 19-14 lead.
Not long before Jones’ fumble, the Gophers had moved ahead of Missouri 14-13 on a 54 yard touchdown by redshirt sophomore tight end Maxx Williams. He made a spectacular run and effort, eluding and jumping over Tigers defenders.
The Gophers had the best tight end on the field in the All-American Williams. Minnesota’s defensive backs gave an elite performance, too, but overall Missouri had better players and the game was a reminder that coach Jerry Kill and his staff have to continue upgrading personnel.
The Gophers never lacked for effort this season. Sometimes, including today, they often missed in their execution. And other times, like against Missouri, Ohio State, TCU and Wisconsin, they just didn’t have enough playmakers.
The Gophers and their fans dreamed big about a Citrus Bowl win but Minnesota’s nightmare run of bowl losses continues.
Worth Noting
Stubhub.com listed tickets yesterday morning for the Citrus Bowl ranging in cost from $13.95 to $399.99. The website also had tickets for the Rose Bowl starting at $144.34 and going up to $2,813.25. The price ranges for the Sugar Bowl—the other semifinal college football playoff game—were $167.94 to $2.051.99.
Former Viking Bob Lurtsema will speak at the January 8 CORES luncheon at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bloomington, 1114 American Blvd. Lurtsema remains close to the Vikings and before this season predicted the team’s record would be 8-8. In Mike Zimmer’s first season as coach the Vikings finished 7-9. CORES is an acronym for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans. Reservations for the Lurtsema event should be made by Monday. Contact Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net.
Zimmer’s most immediate predecessors as Vikings head coaches were all assistants this past season for NFL teams that didn’t make the playoffs. Brad Childress and the Chiefs finished 9-7, while Leslie Frazier was 2-14 with the Bucs, and Mike Tice and the Falcons had a 6-10 record.
Zimmer said he will be out of town this weekend with some season-ending relaxation plans that include a “little red wine.”
Former Gophers offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch, who had the same title with the NFL’s Jaguars, was dismissed earlier this week.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal website reported Monday ex-Vikings quarterback Randall Cunningham is the new head football coach at Silverado High School in Las Vegas.
Ryan James from GopherIllustrated.com writes that Malik Ellison, son of former NBA overall No. 1 NBA draft choice Pervis Ellison, will be in Minneapolis for the Gophers-Ohio State game at Williams Arena next Tuesday night. The younger Ellison plays at Life Center Academy in Burlington, New Jersey and is rated a three-star player by Rivals.com. The high school senior is a small forward.
ESPN’s Dick Vitale, during the Tuesday telecast of the Maryland-Michigan State game, described the Terps as the “surprise team” of college basketball. The Terps are 13-1, ranked No. 12 in the country by Associated Press, and host the Gophers on Saturday. The Terps had five players transfer out after last season but have been winning including a double overtime victory at Michigan State on Tuesday. The Gophers are 0-1 in the Big Ten after losing to Purdue on Wednesday.
The Gophers hockey team plays its opening game of the Mariucci Classic tomorrow night against Merrimack but will be without three players competing at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship in Montreal and Toronto. Hudson Fasching and Ryan Collins will play for the U.S., while Leon Bristedt competes for Sweden.
The Western Collegiate Hockey Association is offering a half-season subscription package for WCHA.tv that provides fans up to 99 remaining games for the price of $69.99. The package starts Friday and includes the WCHA Final Five semifinal games in March at Xcel Energy Center. Subscribers will watch games streamed live to a PC, tablet or phone (or archived for later viewing). More at WCHA.tvlandingpage.