Run the North | Golden Gophers football

[six7]

bro looks like he saw a ghost lmaoo

[ShireNiner]

Next Man Up: Fourth-String QB and Back Up RB Lead No. 12 Minnesota to Win in Iowa City


For the second straight year, Minnesota retains Floyd of Rosedale (ShireNiner PS5 images)

By: Bill Connelly | October 2, 2027
Writer, CFB/NFL

Iowa City— "Next Man Up" is the kind of easy, picture frame motto coaches love to preach. But on a Saturday afternoon inside the chaotic, noisy confines of Kinnick Stadium, No. 12 Minnesota didn't just preach it, they lived a nightmare version of it.

Already missing starter AJ Brand, the Gophers entered the weekend leaning on veteran backup Dylan Wittke. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, they were on their fourth-string quarterback, a redshirt freshman who hadn't taken a meaningful snap all year. Yet, through all the adversity, the Gophers found a way to grind out a 20-19 victory over Iowa to keep claim of the Floyd of Rosedale.

The Gopher depth chart was dismantled in real-time. Dylan Wittke’s afternoon lasted only two drives before a scramble to the right ended in a shoulder injury and a lost fumble.

Then came in Jason Kollock. The sophomore third-stringer made his Gopher debut and showed potential, driving into Iowa territory twice. But the injury bug struck again, on a final drive before the half, Kollock was hit from behind while throwing. The result was a fluttered interception, and Minnesota’s second quarterback of the day lost to injury on a turnover play.

“I'm not thrilled about the long touchdown run. Missed tackles killed us there,” coach Mick Smith said at halftime, trailing 16-7. “But other than that, the defense has kept us in this game.”

The second half saw the emergence of Josh Bobo, a redshirt freshman transfer from Penn State. With the game on the line and the crowd noise breaking the meter, Minnesota’s staff simplified the playbook. They leaned on the shoulders of Fame Ijeboi (138 yards) and safe, short passes to Connor Malik.

The methodical approach worked. Bobo chipped away at the Hawkeye lead, eventually punching in a 1-yard QB sneak to put the Gophers within striking distance. Then, sophomore Grant Washington took over the game, racking up 50 yards on 8 carries during the decisive drive.

“Once we got into Iowa territory, we wanted to take all the time,” Smith said. “Slowing things down and working the clock. I knew we were going to score with the way Grant was running.”

With a 20-19 lead and Iowa looking for a late-game miracle, the Gophers called on their defense one last time. Vernon Woodward III, the hero of Week 2, jumped an outside route to snag his third interception of the season, effectively ending the comeback.

“They keep testing me, man,” Woodward yelled toward the sidelines during the celebration. “They should know by now, don’t come to my side of the field!”

Despite injuries to their top receiver, first three quarterbacks, and two defensive leaders, the Gophers find themselves at 4-1 with all their season goals still achievable. But the road does not get any easier as they now travel out west to face a USC side that is in "win or done" mode after their second loss of the season.

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Scoring Summary
1st quarter
Danny Sheets, 22 Yd FG, 7:27

2nd quarter
Danny Sheets, 51 Yd FG, 8:42
Mac Markway, 5 Yd pass from Jackson Kollock, 2:40
Terrell Washington Jr, 74 Yd run, 1:52
Danny Sheets, 47 Yd FG, 0:00

3rd quarter
Danny Sheets, 50 Yd FG, 2:29

4th quarter
Josh Bobo, 1 Yd run, 10:43
Grant Washington, 3 Yd run, 3:03

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Soapys' Box Score

Passing
Dylan Wittke, SR, QB - 6/7, 42 yds, fumble lost
Jason Kollock, SO, QB - 7/12, 43 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Josh Bobo, FR, QB - 10/13, 70 yds, 1 rush TD
Ryan Browne, SR, QB - 14/28, 160 yds, 1 INT

Rushing
Fame Ijeboi, JR, RB - 20 atts, 138 yds
Grant Washington, SO, RB - 8 atts, 50 yds, 1 TD
Terrel Washington JR, SR, RB - 16 atts, 149 yds, 1 TD

Receiving
Connor Malik, FR, WR - 10 rec, 59 yds
Chauncy Cobb, WR - 6 rec, 87yds

Defense
Mitch Horan, SO, MIKE - 7 tlks, 1 TFL
Vernon Woodward III, JR, CB - 5 tlks, 1 DEFL, 1 INT
Ethan Stendel, SO, SAM - 4 tlks, 3 TFL

Zach Lutmer, SR, SS - 15 tlks, 1 TFL
Craig Simmons, SO, Mike - 14 tlks, 1 TFL, 1 INT

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Bill Connelly is a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering post-game news for College Football and Premier League Soccer. He previously worked at ESPN covering College Football, Tennis, and Soccer.

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Comments

[Captain Canada]

Holy hell, by the skin of your teeth thanks to the freshman

That's one for the storybooks, that's for sure.

[ShireNiner]

Holy hell, by the skin of your teeth thanks to the freshman

That's one for the storybooks, that's for sure.

These comeback wins can't keep happening. But I'll take them.

[redsox907]

BOBO

win em while you can

[ShireNiner]

BOBO

win em while you can

I want him to be good just because of the name.

[ShireNiner]

[The Hunted]

hats a nice win, a little to close but you take what you can. thank god for the Freshman QB.

[ShireNiner]

hats a nice win, a little to close but you take what you can. thank god for the Freshman QB.

Luckily it was against Iowa, a team that we could beat with backups.

[ShireNiner]

bump