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Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Jalen Smith made an incredible diving touchdown to help the team earn a Rate Bowl victory over the New Mexico Lobos on Friday night.
Minnesota trailed by three points in overtime and needed a field goal to extend the period or a touchdown to win the game.
On third down, Drake Lindsey found Smith between three Lobos defenders. Smith dove and made a wild catch to give Minnesota the 20-17 victory.
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Minnesota receiver Jalen Smith scores a touchdown in overtime past New Mexico safety Austin Brawley (21) during the Rate Bowl on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The Golden Gophers led 14-6 after Darius Taylor scored a touchdown. But on the ensuing kickoff, Damon Bankston returned a kick 100 yards for a touchdown. New Mexico’s two-point conversion tied the game.
The bowl victory marked Minnesota head coach PJ Fleck’s seventh since becoming the head coach of the Golden Gophers. Minnesota has not lost a bowl game under Fleck and has not lost a bowl game since the 2014 season, when Jerry Kill was the head coach.
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New Mexico safety Austin Brawley and safety Tavian Combs (7) react after losing to Minnesota in the Rate Bowl on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Lindsey was 18 for 28 with two touchdown passes, both to Smith.
The Lobos went viral during the game thanks to their turquoise uniforms, but they didn’t do enough to distract the Minnesota defense.
New Mexico quarterback Jack Layne was 14 for 25 with one interception.
Minnesota head coach PJ Fleck, wide receiver Jalen Smith and safety Albert Nunes raise the trophy after defeating New Mexico in the Rate Bowl on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025 in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
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Minnesota finishes the season with an 8-5 record. New Mexico fell to 9-4.
