Guaranteed Rate Bowl Game Recap: Live Highlights From Minnesota vs. West Virginia

The Golden Gophers and Mountaineers are meeting for the first time ever in Phoenix. Here are the biggest moments from Tuesday at Chase Field.

The Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-4, 6-3 Big Ten) travel to Phoenix, Ariz. to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers (6-6, 4-5 Big 12) in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl on Tuesday at 8:15 p.m. local. This is the first-ever matchup between the Mountaineers and Golden Gophers.

Final Score: Minnesota 18 — West Virginia 6

Fourth Quarter 

1:32— Minnesota will kneel this one out and win the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, finishing their season with a 9-4 record and a Gatorade shower for head coach P.J. Fleck. 

𝒮𝒽𝑜𝓌𝑒𝓇𝑒𝒹 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 @GopherFootball @Coach_Fleck pic.twitter.com/J2vjCc71YG

— Guaranteed Rate Bowl (@RateBowl) December 29, 2021

Third Quarter

1:20— Tanner Morgan intercepted by Charles Woods, Woods returned it to the Minnesota 41-yard line. 

Interception

Q3 | 1:20 | Another takeaway for Charles Woods! WVU takes over at its own 41-yard line. pic.twitter.com/XBQAsEpeoH

— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) December 29, 2021

4:01— Jarret Doege is sacked for a loss of eight yards by Tyler Nubin. 

5:53— Matthew Trinkett drills a kick from 49 yards out to extend the Minnesota lead. Minnesota leads 18-6. 

The kick is GOOD! @matt_trickett2 nails the 49-yard field goal and the #Gophers lead 18-6. pic.twitter.com/Wn6oHy3tpq

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) December 29, 2021

Halftime: Minnesota 15 — West Virginia 6

Second Quarter

:36— Jarret Doege intercepted by Michael Dixon at the Minnesota 15-yard line to end the half. 

.@Flippa_8 with the INT‼️ pic.twitter.com/MJAXihiDDz

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) December 29, 2021

2:14— Ky Thomas takes another carry up the middle for a 5-yard touchdown. Matthew Trickett's kick is good, Minnesota leads 15-6

.@ky_thomas extends the #Gophers lead! pic.twitter.com/EOsgoqFwo7

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) December 29, 2021

3:38— Ky Thomas bursts up the middle and takes it 50 yards to the West Virginia 9-yard line. 

8:48— Jarret Doege rushes into the end zone for the West Virginia touchdown. West Virginia's two point conversion attempt is unsuccessful, Minnesota leads 8-6. 

TOUCHDOWN!!!

Q2 | 8:48 | Jarret Doege runs it in on fourth down for the Mountaineer touchdown! Mountaineers trail 8-6. #HailWV pic.twitter.com/ClALGa03HH

— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) December 29, 2021

14:19— Offensive lineman Daniel Faalele runs it up the middle for the Minnesota touchdown. Brock Annexstad converts the two point conversion, Minnesota leads 8-0. 

6-FOOT-9
380 POUNDS
TOUCHDOWN pic.twitter.com/BpwtPsdouG

— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) December 29, 2021

14:53 — Mar'Keise Irving rushes for 23 yards to the West Virginia 2-yard line

First Quarter

5:49 — Minnesota DE Boye Mafe sacks WVU QB Jarret Doege for a loss of 8 yards at the WVU 1-yard line. 

9:58 — WVU DL Dante Stills sacks Minnesota QB Tanner Morgan on third down for a loss of 10 yards.

SACK!!!

Dante Stills with the sack on third down! Minnesota misses the field goal, and the Mountaineers take over on their own 20-yard line. #HailWV pic.twitter.com/hzxi9fTcqx

— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) December 29, 2021

Pregame

The Golden Gophers get in the holiday spirit

Minnesota channeled their inner kid with a trip to a local arcade in partnership with Cub Foods. 

Serving & Giving, no matter where they go! @GopherFootball x @Cubfoods pic.twitter.com/7EJRokDbGV

— Minnesota Golden Gophers (@GopherSports) December 26, 2021

The Mountaineers get in on some NBA action

West Virginia took a team trip to watch the Phoenix Suns in a nail-biting game against the Memphis Grizzlies. 

Checking out the @Suns with the squad tonight 🏀 pic.twitter.com/pGpzSaan8q

— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) December 28, 2021

The Golden Gophers and Mountaineers arrive in Phoenix

Minnesota and West Virginia arrived in Phoenix on Dec. 23 and Dec. 25, respectively. Each team participated in walk-through, media opportunities, and other team activities before game day. 

The home of the Arizona Diamondbacks was transformed into a football field

Chase Field, home to MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks, was transformed into a football field. Endzones are located along the first base line and in the left field warning track. 

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐭!

We’re less than 2️⃣4️⃣ hours away from kickoff of the @GuaranteedRate Bowl, inside the home of the @dbacks!

It will be the @Big12Conference’s @WVUfootball vs. @B1Gfootball’s @GopherFootball, and it will be LIVE on @espn (8:15 pm local / 10:15 ET). pic.twitter.com/fk9rTu8yUO

— Guaranteed Rate Bowl (@RateBowl) December 28, 2021

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