(DETROIT, MI) – Minnesota has become the first multiple winner of the Quick Lane Bowl after downing the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 34-10 on December 26. The Golden Gophers scored on their first possession and never looked back.
In fact, except for a missed field goal attempt and downing the ball to run out the clock on their final possession, Minnesota came away with points each time they touched the ball.
Jordan Mason attempts to block a Minnesota defender from getting to Georgia Tech QB TaQuon Marshall (16), during the 2018 Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit. Photo by Ian Shalapata.
The Gophers held the much touted triple-option attack of the Yellow Jackets to 283 total yards, including 206 rushing on 44 carries. Minnesota’s Mohamed Ibrahim himself rumbled downfield for 224 yards and 2 touchdowns on 31 of the Gophers’ 44 rush attempts. His performance earned him player of the game honours.
Minnesota QB Tanner Morgan also connected for two TDs in the air to favourite target Tyler Johnson. Neither team, though, relied heavily on the aerial game, combining for 209 yards on 25 pass attempts. Instead, they bashed out the contest on the ground, racking up 466 yards.
Minnesota’s QB Tanner Morgan sets up to pass down field late in the 2018 Quick Lane Bowl. Morgan was 7-of-13 for 132 yards and 2 TDs as well as running for 3 yards on 3 carries. Photo by Ian Shalapata.
The loss ushered Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson into his retirement, announced at the beginning of December, after a 40 year career. Johnson didn’t rule out a return to the game, but wanted to give his time away from the game a chance.
Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson sends a play onto the field with Clinton Lynch (22), during the 2018 Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit. In Johnson’s final game before retirement, the Yellow Jackets fell to the Minnesota Golden Gophers 34-10. Photo by Ian Shalapata.Georgia Tech back-up QB Tobias Oliver (8) got some minutes under centre late in the game against Minnesota at the 2018 Quick Lane Bowl. Oliver, seen avoiding Julian Huff, carried the ball 9 times for 69 yards in the 34-10 loss. Photo by Ian Shalapata.The Minnesota tandem of QB Taner Morgan (2) and TB Mohamed Ibrahim teamed up to defeat the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at the 2018 Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field on 26 December. The Golden Gophers ran to a 34-10 win for their second victory at the annual bowl game in Detroit. Photo by Ian Shalapata.
Ian Shalapata is the owner of IPSFoto and was the managing editor at Square Media Group. His adventures have taken him across North America and around the world and his images and articles have appeared in a vast array of publications. Ian is available for freelance assignments in Ontario, Michigan, and Ohio.
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