For Saturday’s homecoming game against rival Iowa, Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck pulled a page from former U hockey coach Herb Brooks’ motivational playbook.
“Great moments are born from great opportunity,” Brooks was quoted as saying to the U.S. men’s hockey team before they produced the “Miracle on Ice” at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y.
Saturday’s Big Ten football game wasn’t nearly that iconic, but in the Gophers’ universe, the hated Hawkeyes were ranked 15th in the nation and being buzzed about as a potential College Football Playoff team over the last fortnight.
The touchdown-underdog Gophers blew up those plans and lifted the Floyd of Rosedale rivalry trophy with a 13-10 victory at Huntington Bank Stadium.
On the last play, kicker Luke Drzewiecki nailed a 46-yard field goal to win the 98-pound bronzed pig trophy.
Gophers fans stormed the field for the second time this month following their on-field celebration of a 20-14 win over Michigan on Oct. 3. Now Minnesota possess its three most-valued rivalry trophies — Floyd of Rosedale, the Little Brown Jug and Paul Bunyan’s Axe — at the same time for the first time since October 1978.
The Gophers (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) snapped a five-game home losing streak to Iowa, and head coach P.J. Fleck improved to 2-8 against the Hawkeye and legendary coach Kirk Ferentz.
“This one is really special,” Fleck said. “You hear about it constantly, what we haven’t done. That’s a pretty common theme here at the University of Minnesota.”
In the fourth quarter, the Gophers led 10-3 and forced two straight turnovers but produced nothing on an ensuing pair of three-and-outs. It nearly cost them.
The Hawkeyes (5-2, 2-2) then ripped off two enormous plays, with quarterback Hank Brown connecting with Tony Diaz for a 57-yard completion and a 37-yard touchdown pass to an open Reece Vander Zee to make it 10-10 with less than four minutes left.
The Gophers had produced 165 total yards across 13 drives when they got the ball back with 1:46 remaining. That’s when quarterback Drake Lindsey said he told teammates: “We are going to win the game.”
The Gophers were 1 for 12 on third down when on third-and-4, Lindsey was forced out of the pocket and nearly sacked before finding receiver Jalen Smith in a pocket in the Hawkeyes’ Cover 2 zone for a 39-yard gain to reach Iowa’s 28.
Despite a holding call moving the U back, success on that broken play was enough to set up Drzeweicki’s game-winning kick.
“It’s unreal,” said cornerback John Nestor, an Iowa transfer who had 11 tackles and a forced fumble. “(Drzeweicki) is such a good player. Every time he goes out there, he’s going to do his job.”
Minnesota forced four fumbles — the most in a game since at least 1977 — but Iowa recovered the first three. In the fourth quarter, safety Aidan Gousby popped the ball loose from receiver Braeden Jackson and linebacker Maverick Baranowski recovered.
The Gophers also snagged three interceptions — one against Iowa starter Jeremey Hecklinski and two from Brown, who stepped in during the second quarter.
“Maybe one of the best defensive performances I’ve been around at the University of Minnesota,” Fleck said. “(Defensive coordinator Danny) Collins, his staff, our players deserve a ton of credit for that.”
Lindsey threw one pick, which Iowa turned into a field goal. Minnesota didn’t score any points off the four Iowa turnovers, but the plus-three in turnover margin still helped its cause.
“You’re not going to win in this conference turning the ball over,” Ferentz said. “As you (reporters) know, I’m not a big stat guy, but that’s one stat in (28) years that really means a lot.”
Minnesota managed 69 yards in the first half and stacked up 71 on the opening touchdown drive of the third quarter. On fourth down, running back Darius Taylor took a direct snap and scored from inches out to take a 10-3 lead.
The Gophers led 3-0 after the first quarter thanks to a blocked punt from Mason Carrier. Minnesota had outstanding field position at Iowa’s 13-yard line, but gained one yard on three plays and settled for a 31-yard field goal from Drzewiecki.
In the second quarter, Lindsey overthrew Javon Tracy; Iowa safety Deshaun Lee intercepted it and returned it 28 yards. Iowa ended the drive with a 32-yard field goal to make it 3-3.
More than 350 former players were among the seventh-largest crowd of 53,004 in Huntington Bank Stadium history.
“These are moments and memories you pray about, dream about as a kid,” Lindsey said. “… It’s a 1-0 championship season and this one was a big one for this university, these fans. The fans were rocking all night. The Bank was the best I’ve ever seen it since being here.”