ESPN: Minnesota players surprised by bowl bid but embrace opportunity

[BleedGopher]

per Bennett:

All 5-7 records are not created equally, either. Minnesota played one of the toughest schedules in the nation and was competitive in many games. The Gophers lost by six points in the opener against TCU, were stopped at the goal line on the game's final play to lose by three against Michigan, fell by 14 on the road to Ohio State, and lost by five at Iowa. They played six ranked teams this season in all.

"It helps that we didn't get blown out in most of those games," Leidner said. "We felt like we had some of those games won at some point. So as a team, we feel like we can compete with anybody in the country."

There's another goal out there as well. Minnesota has lost three straight bowl games, an aggravating fact for the seniors in particular.

"This is a chance to leave on a good note with my class," Maye said.

Even if it's a note no one ever figured to play.

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post...surprised-by-bowl-bid-but-embrace-opportunity

Go Gophers!!

 

[MNGoldenGophers1]

Fair points about the close losses but the same thing could be said for the close wins. The bottom line, good teams find ways to win.

Yes, it is a surprise ANY 5-7 team is in a bowl game. Regarding they earned it because of APR results is a bit skewed and a technicality by the fact Mizzou decided not to bowl.

One more thing regarding Claeys' rationale for getting the bowl game bonus which he, a salaried employee, said is justified because of the extra month of practice. If this is the reason, why is he splitting his $50K with Kill?

 

[Spoofin]

Regarding they earned it because of APR results is a bit skewed and a technicality by the fact Mizzou decided not to bowl.

Wrong. Gophers would have still gone even if Mizz would have accepted. SJSU wouldn't have. #Facts

 

[MNGoldenGophers1]

Wrong. Gophers would have still gone even if Mizz would have accepted. SJSU wouldn't have. #Facts

Are you sure? I thought we had the same APR as SJSU. If so, how do we know it would have been us and not them? Perhaps the B1G tie-in with the detoilet bowl had something to do with it?

 

[Spoofin]

Are you sure? I thought we had the same APR as SJSU. If so, how do we know it would have been us and not them? Perhaps the B1G tie-in with the detoilet bowl had something to do with it?

We had the same APR. No bowl game would have ever chosen SJSU over a B1G school.

 

[MNGoldenGophers1]

We had the same APR. No bowl game would have ever chosen SJSU over a B1G school.

I suspect that would most likely be the case but certainly not a fact. I guess it doesn't really matter. A bit like picking the last team in the NCAA basketball tournament field.