Minnesota Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey (5) against the New Mexico Lobos during the first half of the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Minnesota continues longest active bowl winning streak with walk-off win

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Dec 26, 2025 10:19 PM ET

College football's bowl season may not have the same buzz that it once did, thanks to the College Football Playoff and players and coaches opting out of games, but do not tell that to the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Minnesota extended its bowl winning streak to nine consecutive games on Friday with a thrilling 20-17 overtime win against New Mexico.

It came on a walk-off touchdown in rather impressive fashion.

Minnesota has longest bowl winning streak in NCAA

Minnesota won thanks to a highlight-reel 12-yard touchdown catch from wide receiver Jalen Smith in the first overtime period.

It was a diving catch around a defender, hauling in a Drake Lindsey pass for the win.

Smith finished the game with six catches for 64 yards and two touchdowns, with the second of those touchdowns giving the Golden Gophers the win.

Here is a look at it.

MINNESOTA WALKS OFF THE RATE BOWL ON A GAME-WINNING TD

THE GOLDEN GOPHERS WIN THEIR 9TH-STRAIGHT BOWL GAME pic.twitter.com/da2gMvOcwM
— ESPN (@espn) December 27, 2025

It is a nice win for head coach P.J. Fleck and his program, and gives them what is now the longest active bowl winning streak in the nation at nine games. Seven of those bowl wins have come with Fleck as the team's head coach.

Minnesota's bowl winning streak started in 2015 with a 21-14 win over Central Michigan in the QuickLane Bowl.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

More must-reads: