CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers secured a 24-10 victory against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the 2023 Duke's Mayo Bowl, held at Bank of America Stadium on January 3, 2024. This annual college football showdown celebrates not only the sport but also the distinctly quirky mayo-themed traditions associated with the event.
The game kicked off at 4:30 p.m. PT/7:30 p.m. ET and was broadcast live on ESPN. The Duke's Mayo Bowl has been known for its whimsical tradition wherein the winning coach is doused with five gallons of mayonnaise — a reward to some and a unique spectacle to others. Minnesota's head coach, P.J. Fleck, humorously quipped, "I think with my bald head the mayo should just slide right off."
This year, the Gophers found themselves overcoming early setbacks, trailing 7-0 after Virginia Tech's first touchdown by Collin Schlee. The tide turned, thanks to the fast feet of receiver Elijah Spencer, who caught two touchdown passes, demonstrating his undeniable talent on the big stage. Darius Taylor, the Gophers' running back, also surged throughout the game, recording notable yardage and even adding to the score himself with a rushing touchdown.
Fleck's team showed resilience, turning the game around with 21 points scored during the second quarter alone. Fan favorites and local media commentators were notable for their excitement, even as they tried Duke's products live on air during the broadcast. One memorable segment involved hosts sampling unusual combinations of Duke’s mayonnaise, including pairing it with ice cream and bananas, prompting ESPN's Matt Barrie to exclaim, "Dude, [the mayo Dilly bar] is awful!" This playful approach to incorporating product placement added to the lighthearted atmosphere of the broadcast.
The Gophers finished the game with multiple season-high metrics, including five sacks, proving their defense formidable against the Hokies. Anthony Smith and Jack Henderson led the charges, securing second-quarter sacks and taking control of pivotal moments. Minnesota’s stellar team dynamics reinforced their unbeaten bowl game record, now standing at 6-0 under Fleck's watch.
While Minnesota celebrated, the Hokies were contending with significant challenges, fielding only 13 starters less than normal due to NFL drafts, the transfer portal, and injuries. Virginia Tech's head coach, Brent Pry, acknowledged the high stakes and hoped to capitalize on their past successes, stating, "It will be like, ‘c’mon and give it to me! I want this sucker!’" reflecting the spirited competitive nature of collegiate football.
Despite falling short, Virginia Tech's presence at the Duke’s Mayo Bowl marked their third appearance and illustrated their continuing commitment to bowl games after previously losing 37-30 to Kentucky. They now hold a 1-1 record after their lone win back in 2016 against Arkansas during the same bowl.
Beyond the immediate game, the Duke’s Mayo Bowl offered opportunities for younger players to step up, especially for Minnesota, who had six key players opting out to prepare for the NFL. Fleck stated he's proud of how well the younger squad performed during the bowl week and found potential for development within his talented roster.
The Mayo Bowl also echoed its lighthearted traditions off the field, where brand representatives prepared the infamous mayonnaise for the victors carefully, ensuring everything from consistency to safety was accounted for. Rebecca Lupesco, brand director of Duke's Mayo, shared insights on how the mayo was prepared, saying, "Since [the mayo dump incident] we now pick our mayo dumpers very carefully," hinting at the evolution of this quirky celebration since its inception.
With the 2023 season wrapped up, the Gophers finished with an overall record of 8-5, rounding off their season on high notes and maintaining impressive momentum for the future. The celebration of the mayo dump continues to fascinate college football fans, generating buzz and drawing attention to the unexpected joys of sports.