Run the North | Golden Gophers football

[ShireNiner]

Gophers Quick Start Keeps Title Hopes Alive


Jaxon Howard celebrates his 9th sack of the season (ShireNiner PS5 images)

By: Bill Connelly | November 21, 2027
Writer, CFB/NFL

Minneapolis— Minnesota jumped out to a quick 14-3 lead on Saturday and never looked back, running past Illinois 37-17. The win keeps Minnesota’s Big Ten Championship hopes alive going into the final week of the 2027 season.

The story of the game was clear from the outset. Minnesota held Illinois to a long field on the opening drive, after former Gopher Johann Cardena rushed for 32 yards on the first play from scrimmage. From there, it was all Minnesota.

Taking their first possession down the field for a touchdown and then quickly intercepting Trey Petty on the next drive, setting up the second score to put Minnesota on top 14-3 in the first quarter.

The story last week was missed tackles and big plays given up on defense. The story this week was the exact opposite. The Gopher defense swarmed the ball carrier and kept Petty scrambling out of the pocket all game, ending with five sacks as a team and only allowing 211 yards of total offense for the day.

“Last week was the little kick we needed.” Head coach Mick Smith said after the win. “We try to avoid being complacent, but when you go on a winning streak, and things start to get easy, guys lose focus. Then you miss tackles and losses happen. Today we showed the resiliency to bounce back, now we have to finish the season strong.”

On offense, it was Josh Bobo and his short passing that kept the chains moving. Minnesota’s pass blocking was embarrassed last week, forcing the coaching staff to resort to short, quick passes this week to get the ball out.

Freshman Connor Malik and sophomore Jalen Smith were the top targets, finding space with crossing routes and mesh options, racking up yards after the catch from Bobo to spread out the defense.

With fewer men in the box, running back Fame Ijeboi found space down the middle. Ijeboi, the team’s leading rusher and the man who stepped into Cardenas' place after the freshman transferred, led the game with 140 all-purpose yards and a touchdown.

“I was close with Johann, man. I was mad he transferred; he had a solid freshman year and was supposed to be the next man up. It worked out for me, but seeing him over there on a losing team and barely playing is tough. I’m sure he regrets his choice now.” Fame said after the win when asked about his former teammate.

More good news came to Minnesota after the win. Oregon lost to Nebraska, leaving a chance for the Gophers next week if Oregon loses to its rival, Washington, in the final game of the season.

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Scoring Summary
1st quarter
Donnie Kuhn, 53 Yd FG, 9:42
Fame Ijeboi, 1 Yd run, 3:12
Kenric Lanier II 18 Yd pass from Josh Bobo, 2:25

2nd quarter
Davin Stoffel 4 Yd pass from Trey Petty, 7:04
Manuel Valles, 41 Yd FG, 3:51
Jalen Smith 8 Yd pass from Josh Bobo, 0:18

3rd quarter
Connor Malik 7 Yd pass from Josh Bobo (extra point blocked), 8:02

4th quarter
Donielle Hayes 10 Yd pass from Josh Bobo, 3:51
Collin Dixon 17 Yd pass from Trey Petty, 1:01

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Soapys' Box Score

Passing
Josh Bobo - 21/36, 192 yds, 58%, 4 TDs, 1 INT
Trey Petty - 11/23, 152 yds, 47%, 2 TDs, 1 INT

Rushing
Fame Ijeboi - 17 atts, 92 yds, 5.4 avg, 1 TD, 48 rec yds
Xavier Ford - 15 atts, 59yds, 3.9 avg
Johann Cardenas - 13 atts, 62 yds, 4.7 avg

Receiving
Connor Malik - 4 rec, 24 yds, 1 TD
Jalen Smith - 4 rec, 56 yds, 1 TD
Davin Stoffel - 3 rec, 22 yds, 1 TD

Defense
Trevon Howard - 8 tlks
Tyson Ford and Jaxon Howard - 2 sacks each
Vernon Woodward II - 4 tlks, 1 INT

RJ Jones III - 11 tlks, 2 TFL, 1 INT
Nick Samuel - 11 tlks, 3 TFL

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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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[ShireNiner]

Week 12 Playoff Picture

By: Bruce Felderman | November 22, 2027
Senior Writer, CFB

CFP Standings
1. Michigan (10-1)
2. Tennessee (10-1)
3. Clemson (10-1)
4. Texas (10-1)
5. Miami (10-1)
6. Boston College (10-1)
7. Georgia (9-2)
8. Minnesota (9-2)
9. North Texas (11-0)
10. Florida State (8-3)
11. Oregon (9-2)
12. Okalahoma (8-3)
13. Kansas State (9-2)
14. Penn State (9-2)
15. SMU (8-3)
16. LSU (8-3)
17. South Carolina (8-3)
18. UCLA (8-3)
19. Texas Tech (8-3)
20. Southern Miss (10-1)
21. Tulane (9-2)
22. Nebraska (9-2)
23. Pitt (8-3)
24. Alabama (8-3)
25. Notre Dame (9-2)


Big Ten Standings
1. Michigan (10-1, 8-0) - REGULAR SEASON CONFERENCE WINNER
2. Oregon (9-2, 6-2)
3. Minnesota (9-2, 6-2)
4. Penn State (9-2, 6-2)
5. Nebraska (9-2, 6-2)
6. UCLA (8-3, 5-3)
7. Ohio State (6-5, 5-3)
8. Michigan State (7-4, 5-3)
9. Washington (6-5, 4-4)
10. Indiana (6-5, 4-4)
11. USC (6-5, 4-4)
12. Illinois (5-6, 3-5)
13. Northwestern (5-6, 3-5)
14. Maryland (6-5, 3-5)
15. Wisconsin (5-6, 3-5)
16. Iowa (2-9, 1-7)
17. Purdue (1-10, 0-7)
18. Rutgers (1-10, 0-7)

What did you think of this story?

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Bruce Felderman is a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering NCAA Football. Bruce previously wrote for ESPN, The Telegraph, and The Athletic before we paid way more money and he came to us.

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Comments

[Count]

pretty favorable matchup in round 1 just for #1 Michigan to be waiting for you

[The Hunted]

Pitt and Cincy

[The JZA]

I got faith, but I think all roads stops in Michigan. Gonna be a tight one if you get there. They're beatable nonetheless, that one loss proves it

[six7]

Cal and Virginia

Yes conf

[ShireNiner]

Heisman Finalists Announced

By: Bill Connelly | November 23, 2027
Writer, CFB/NFL

NEW YORK — The Heisman Trophy race has narrowed to a frantic five-man dash, and the final Saturday of the regular season has provided a script that could decide the winner.

When No. 4 Texas meets No. 16 LSU this weekend, it won’t just be a high-stakes clash for College Football Playoff positioning. It will be a direct, one-on-one audition for the most prestigious individual award in sports between the two frontrunners: Arch Manning and Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele.

Arch Manning, QB, 3,379 pass yds, 25 TD, 1 INT, 69%, 457 rush yds.
Manning has been the portrait of efficiency, throwing only a single interception all season despite playing the nation's toughest schedule. Manning has stayed as the top Heisman favorite all season and is the front-runner going into the final game at LSU. A win punches Texas's ticket to the CFP and could seal the trophy for the Manning legacy.

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, QB, 3,750 pass yds, 41 TD, 0 INT, 72%, 233 rush yds.
The statistical marvel of the 2027 season. Sagapolutele hasn't thrown an interception in nearly 500 attempts while leading the nation in passing touchdowns. His 72% completion rate while frequently attacking downfield has scouts and voters alike in awe. If JKS can outduel Manning in the final game, voters might see that as enough to push him to the top.

Landon Roldon, WR 88 rec, 1,411 yds, 17 TD.
For the second year in a row, Roldon is the top receiver listed and finds himself going to New York. It will be hard for Roldon to beat either of the two quarterbacks ahead of him, but for a receiver to be a finalist two straight years is an achievement on its own.

Treston McMillan, QB, 3,084 pass yds, 31 TD, 4 INT; 710 rush yds.
The ultimate dual-threat. McMillan leads all major QB candidates in rushing, essentially serving as Oklahoma's primary goal-line back and deep-ball specialist simultaneously. The Sooners need a win against the Aggies in week 13 to climb back into the top 10, and McMillan likely needs a "Heisman Moment" highlight to leapfrog the two SEC leaders.

George Parker, WR, 83 rec, 1,333 yds, 14 TD.
The freshman phenom has been the lone bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for Ohio State. Going to New York will put Parker's name in everyone's mind for next season, but his only focus now is on playing spoiler. Ohio State has nothing to play for this weekend except to knock Michigan out of the number 1 ranking.

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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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[ShireNiner]

BREAKING NEWS: MIAMI, FLORIDA STATE ACCEPTS BIG TEN INVITATION

By: Pat Forde | November 24, 2027
Big Ten Senior Writer

The Big Ten’s manifest destiny has officially reached the subtropics.

In a move that signals the final collapse of the traditional regional conference model, the Big Ten’s expansion committee voted late Thursday to extend membership invitations to Florida State University and the University of Miami. The decision, which followed months of legal maneuvering and boardroom drama, brings the conference to a staggering 20 members and establishes a permanent "Southern Corridor" for the historically Midwestern league.

The addition of the Seminoles and Hurricanes was not without controversy, as the committee’s secret ballot revealed a fractured vision for the league's future.

While FSU and Miami ultimately secured the spots, they were pushed to the limit by a surprise surge of support for the University of Cincinnati. The Bearcats, who have long coveted a move from the Big 12 to a more traditional regional fit, garnered significant support from the committee’s traditionalist wing.

The Final Committee Tally:
Florida State: 3 votes (Accepted)
Miami: 3 votes (Accepted)
Cincinnati: 3 votes
Georgia Tech: 2 votes
Pitt: 2 votes
Cal: 2 votes
Duke: 1 vote
Virginia: 1 vote

Despite Cincinnati matching the two Florida schools with three votes, the Big Ten’s "Financial and Market Sustainability" subcommittee broke the tie in favor of the Florida schools.

The rationale, according to a high-ranking source within the Big Ten, came down to two words: TV Revenue. "Cincinnati is a great program in a Big Ten city, but it’s already in 'Big Ten Country,'" the source told ShireNetwork. "We already own the Ohio television market with Ohio State. Adding Cincinnati doesn't move the needle for our network partners. Adding Florida State and Miami? That’s 22 million people in a new time zone and a direct challenge to the SEC’s monopoly on the South."

The Death of the ACC?
For Florida State and Miami, the move represents the end of a long and litigious exit from the ACC. Both schools have spent the last two years challenging the ACC’s Grant of Rights, arguing that the conference’s media deal left them financially non-competitive.

The Big Ten’s entry into Florida is more than a geographic expansion; it is a recruiting declaration of war. By planting the Big Ten flag in Tallahassee and Coral Gables, Commissioner Tony Petitti has ensured that the Big Ten Network will now be a staple in the living rooms of the most talent-rich high school recruits in America.

“This is a historic day,” Petitti said in a brief statement. “We are adding two institutions that share our commitment to academic excellence and elite athletic competition. The Big Ten is now a truly national conference.”

The Big Ten now spans:
The Pacific Coast with Washington, Oregon, USC, and UCLA
The Midwest with Ohio State, Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota
The Atlantic Coast with Rutgers, Maryland, and Penn State
The Tropics with Florida State and Miami

What did you think of this story?

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Pat Forde is a senior writer for ShireNiner Network who covers Big Ten Football. He cohosts the College Football Enquirer podcast and is a football analyst on the Big Ten Network. He previously worked for Yahoo Sports, ESPN, and The (Louisville) Courier-Journal.

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[The JZA]

Maybe next time Cincy, we still love you

[ShireNiner]

Maybe next time Cincy, we still love you

They were close. But two Florida teams was too much to resist.