No. 7 Golden Gophers aim for tenth win against Iowa
Aaron Young
Staff Writer
On Nov. 9, 2019, history was made for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Golden Gopher Jordan Howden intercepted Penn State’s Sean Clifford’s with 1:01 left in the game to cap off an unbelievable upset. Players didn’t wait for the clock to hit zero as they rushed the field to lift high the “Victory Bell” after defeating Penn State, No. 5 in the country at the time.
This was the maroon and gold’s first victory against a top five team in the country since 1977, when they faced Michigan. They are 9-0 for the first time since 1904.
QB Tanner Morgan was the MVP for the Golden Gophers, torching the Nittany Lions defense, throwing 339 yards and three TDs and going 18 for 20. Wide receivers Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson combined for 14 receptions, 304 yards and two TDs.
This is just one of many upsets in college football this year. Wisconsin fell to Illinois 24-23 on a last second field goal. Florida lost to LSU the following week. Oklahoma suffered a loss to Kansas State 42-28. Alabama lost 45-33 in a gladiator battle with LSU, and Penn State’s perfect season ended at the hands of Jordan Howden.
With the football season nearing the end and bowl season approaching, who knows what is in store for college football. Minnesota could find themselves in the college football playoff come January. However, they still have quite a mountain to climb. Up next is No. 18 Iowa, followed by Northwestern, and a rematch with the Wisconsin Badgers. Wisconsin will be seeking revenge after what happened last year, but if Minnesota plays the way they did against Penn State, this is going to be nothing short of a classic.
In the latest polls, Minnesota is No. 7 in the country and is the first time they have cracked the top 10 since 1962 when they were ranked No. 5.
Header photo: Minnesota football players hold up the Governor’s Victory Bell after winning 31-26 against Penn State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)