Gophers Win 2022 Pinstripe Bowl
By Andrew Rosario
After a brutal week of weather that hammered the New York City area, the college football gods shined upon the Orangeman of Syracuse University (7-5) and the Golden Gophers of Minnesota (8-4) when they faced each other at Yankee Stadium for the 2022 Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. It was the 27th bowl game appearance for Syracuse (16-9-1) and 23rd appearance for Minnesota who came into the game winning their last 5 bowl games. It was the second time both teams met in a bowl game. The first time took place in 2013 when Syracuse took out Minnesota 21-17 in the Texas Bowl.
It was, as expected, a pro Syracuse crowd given the location of the game as the Orangeman won the coin toss and elected to defer to Minnesota for their first possession of the game. Neither team would score in the opening frame although the Gophers were driving the first time they had the ball. Needing only 2-yards to continue their drive, a bad snap resulted in a loss forcing them to punt. Both teams traded punts before Minnesota put the first points on the board to start the second quarter.
The Gophers would get on the board first as quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis guided them on a 9 play, 62-yard drive and watched as running back Mohamed Ibrahim run it in from 4-yards out. Minnesota extended the lead to 14-0 when back-up quarterback Tanner Morgan (Kaliakmanis got hurt and did not return) connected with wide receiver Daniel Jackson for a 20-yard touchdown. Syracuse responded right before halftime when quarterback Garrett Shrader took them 86-yards in 5-plays running it in from 1-yard out. The Orangemen got as close as 14-10 after a 40-yard Andre Szmyt field goal.
Minnesota’s defense stepped up for their next score as defensive back Coleman Bryson picks off Shrader and returns it 70-yards giving them a 21-10 lead. After another 38-yard Szmyt field goal (21-13) Minnesota iced the game when Morgan and Jackson hooked up again for a 25-yard touchdown. With 2:30 left, Shrader ran it in from 8-yards out to get the game within 8 (28-20) hoping to convert a on-side kick. Minnesota recovered the attempt icing the game.
It was the 6th straight bowl win for Minnesota as Syracuse lost 5 of their last 6 games after starting the season 6-0.
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