Minnesota continued its winning ways by defeating Virginia Tech 24-10 on Friday night, marking the Gophers' eighth consecutive bowl victory at the Duke's Mayo Bowl, held at Charlotte, N.C. This celebratory win not only showcased Minnesota's resilience and talent but also provided yet another memorable moment as head coach P.J. Fleck joyfully encouraged his players to douse him with mayonnaise. The chilly 40-degree evening was brightened by the flair of sport traditions, as Coach Fleck proclaimed, "make it a double!" before being drenched with the iconic condiment.
With this victory, Minnesota (8-5) extends its impressive bowl winning streak, with key contributions from Max Brosmer, who threw for 211 yards and one touchdown, and Darius Taylor, who displayed versatility by rushing for 113 yards, scoring another touchdown, and also throwing for one. Elijah Spencer was named the game’s MVP, pulling off six catches for 81 yards, including two touchdowns. Spencer noted, "It was big time because I didn’t think I would have another opportunity to play in front of all of my friends and family." This sentiment carried weight for Spencer, returning to Charlotte where he previously played for the 49ers.
Virginia Tech (6-7) was unable to capitalize on their early momentum, with backup quarterback Collins Schlee putting them up 7-0 initially. Despite Schlee's efforts, including his touchdown run and 67-yard completion to Ayden Greene, the Hokies could not maintain consistency. Minnesota swiftly took control, with 21 consecutive points scored during the second quarter, culminating with Spencer’s touchdown reception from Brosmer. With the game seemingly out of reach, the Hokies’ final pushes were met with defensive resilience, including Za’Quan Bryan’s timely interception late.
The game highlighted stark differences between the two teams as Minnesota outgained Virginia Tech 403-223, emphasizing their offensive prowess and organizational coherence. Coach Fleck remarked, "It’s one of the great traditions of bowl games and I hope we never ever go away from bowl games." Conversely, Coach Brent Pry of Virginia Tech was left to analyze the missed opportunities, stating, "Offensively, we got in the red zone and we couldn’t score." This loss adds strain to the Hokies, who have now dropped five of their last six bowl appearances.
Other notable outcomes from the bowl season include the American Athletic Conference clinching the Bowl Challenge Cup for the first time after amassing an impressive 6-2 record, demonstrating their growth and competitiveness on the national stage. Conference teams outperformed expectations against traditional powerhouses from the SEC, Big 12, and more. This year, the American qualified its most bowl-eligible teams, with six wins marking the best performance through 12 years.
The American's achievements were highlighted by victories across multiple bowls, including Memphis's narrow win over West Virginia, Florida's decisive victory against Tulane, and Texas State's thrilling finish against North Texas, where they prevailed 30-28.
The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, taking place shortly after, saw Texas State narrowly overcome North Texas. This matchup was filled with tension, showcasing two of Texas's football programs facing off for the second time at this bowl. Texas State's Lincoln Pare made headlines with his 73-yard touchdown run, opting to toss the game ball up to the stands—a spontaneous moment ended with him receiving a penalty for excessive celebration.
Tight competition defined the game, with North Texas's Drew Mestemaker making his debut, throwing for impressive gains, and completing major passes, including a significant 46-yard touchdown. His performance contrasted sharply with the previous statistics of his team, who had faced struggles throughout the season.
Attendance for the bowl was solid, with 28,725 fans showing up at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. This season allowed fans to relish the return of college football’s bowl culture, with attendance for the 2024-25 bowl season exceeding 1,000,000 for the 27th time over the last 28 seasons.
Reflecting on the overall scenario, this year's bowl season stands as both celebratory for accomplishments and reflective of the current challenges faced by collegiate programs, including transfers and opt-outs affecting teams' performance and continuity. The clash of traditions, high stakes, personal trophies, and coaching strategies have made this bowl season one for the records.