IceBoxGopher
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Inspired to do this after I posted in another thread about remembering the 2013 bowl game. Here is the Gophers' full history against Syracuse.
1995 - Minnesota @ Syracuse, Orange win 27-17
In the first ever meeting between the two schools, Syracuse came out on top on their home turf. Syracuse was powered to victory by a 94-yard return by Marvin Harrison, as well as three forced turnovers.
In the losing effort, Gophers running back Chris Darkins carried the ball for 206 yards and a touchdown. Minnesota late in the game drove to the Syracuse 7-yard line with a chance to tighten the game more, but the final turnover of the game was made in the end zone, preserving the 27-17 victory for the Orange.
Syracuse would end their season 9-3 ranked 16 by the coaches and 19 by the AP. They also earned a victory in the Gator Bowl. Minnesota, meanwhile, finished 3-8.
1996 - Minnesota Vs. No. 23 Syracuse, Gophers win 35-33
The Gophers and Orange had a rematch after Syracuse won the first ever meeting in 1995. The 1996 game featured two players who would go on to have NFL success in Pennsylvania. Future Eagles Quarterback Donovan McNabb and eventual Steeler Tyrone Carter, a defensive back both played in the game, and Carter was integral to Minnesota’s upset.
Carter returned two third quarter fumbles for touchdowns, helping to snap a six-game winless streak against ranked opponents. On offense, Cory Sauter helped drive the Gophers into field goal range twice in the fourth quarter, including one with 42 seconds left, to get Minnesota enough points for the victory. Sauter also scored a 50-yard touchdown on a pass to Tutu Atwell.
Despite the loss, Syracuse would finish 9-3 with a share of the Big East title, with final rankings of 19 from the coaches and 21 from the AP. They also went on to win the Liberty Bowl against Houston. Minnesota’s season would end at 4-7, and mark the final year for Coach Jim Wacker.
2009 - Minnesota @ Syracuse, Gophers win 23-20
Minnesota was opening TCF Bank Stadium that year but would have to wait until week 2 for the inaugural game. The first test of the season was on the road against Syracuse. Minnesota was hoping to improve on its 7-6 record from last season while Syracuse was aiming for an improvement over their 3-9 2008 campaign.
In the end, the Gophers would edge the Syracuse in overtime, with wide receiver Eric Decker doing a lot of heavy lifting. QB Adam Weber was 19 of 42 on pass attempts for 248 yards, and Decker caught 9 of those for 183 yards. Duane Bennett did most of the ground work, with 78 rushing yards.
Minnesota went on to win its next game to open TCF Bank Stadium, too, defeating Air Force. The Gophers would finish their season with their second consecutive bowl game berth.
2012 - Minnesota Vs. Syracuse, Gophers win 17-10
The Gophers came into the 2012 game under the lights against the Orange undefeated at 3-0. They would improve to 4-0 that night, thanks to the Gophers defense stifling Syracuse’s offense, which featured quarterback Ryan Nassib, a future NFL draft pick.
The Gophers defense produced 4 turnovers, with 2 interceptions and 2 fumbles. Syracuse wouldn’t find the end zone until there were just 46 seconds left in the game. On offense, Minnesota was led by Donnell Kirkwood, who rushed for 99 yards and 2 touchdowns in front of the sell out crowd.
Minnesota would return to the postseason for the first time since 2009, earring a trip to the Car Care Bowl, while Syracuse won a share of the Big East crown and defeated West Virginia in the Pinstripe Bowl to finish 8-5.
2013 - Minnesota Vs. Syracuse in the Texas Bowl, Orange win 21-17
Minnesota entered the postseason with its best record, 8-4, since 2003. Syracuse, meanwhile, came in at 6-6, needing to win their final game against Boston College to be bowl eligible. Minnesota’s offense struggled in the first half, only scoring a field goal, while Syracuse earned a touchdown to lead 7-3.
Syracuse built a 14-3 lead going into the fourth quarter, but the Gophers stormed back to make it 17-14. Syracuse would score the final points, though, getting into the end zone with 1:14 left to play in the ball game.
Mitch Leidner attempted a Hail Mary as time expired, but it fell to the turf, giving the Orange the victory. Syracuse finished 7-6 while the Gophers were 8-5, having lost their sixth bowl game.
1995 - Minnesota @ Syracuse, Orange win 27-17
In the first ever meeting between the two schools, Syracuse came out on top on their home turf. Syracuse was powered to victory by a 94-yard return by Marvin Harrison, as well as three forced turnovers.
In the losing effort, Gophers running back Chris Darkins carried the ball for 206 yards and a touchdown. Minnesota late in the game drove to the Syracuse 7-yard line with a chance to tighten the game more, but the final turnover of the game was made in the end zone, preserving the 27-17 victory for the Orange.
Syracuse would end their season 9-3 ranked 16 by the coaches and 19 by the AP. They also earned a victory in the Gator Bowl. Minnesota, meanwhile, finished 3-8.
1996 - Minnesota Vs. No. 23 Syracuse, Gophers win 35-33
The Gophers and Orange had a rematch after Syracuse won the first ever meeting in 1995. The 1996 game featured two players who would go on to have NFL success in Pennsylvania. Future Eagles Quarterback Donovan McNabb and eventual Steeler Tyrone Carter, a defensive back both played in the game, and Carter was integral to Minnesota’s upset.
Carter returned two third quarter fumbles for touchdowns, helping to snap a six-game winless streak against ranked opponents. On offense, Cory Sauter helped drive the Gophers into field goal range twice in the fourth quarter, including one with 42 seconds left, to get Minnesota enough points for the victory. Sauter also scored a 50-yard touchdown on a pass to Tutu Atwell.
Despite the loss, Syracuse would finish 9-3 with a share of the Big East title, with final rankings of 19 from the coaches and 21 from the AP. They also went on to win the Liberty Bowl against Houston. Minnesota’s season would end at 4-7, and mark the final year for Coach Jim Wacker.
2009 - Minnesota @ Syracuse, Gophers win 23-20
Minnesota was opening TCF Bank Stadium that year but would have to wait until week 2 for the inaugural game. The first test of the season was on the road against Syracuse. Minnesota was hoping to improve on its 7-6 record from last season while Syracuse was aiming for an improvement over their 3-9 2008 campaign.
In the end, the Gophers would edge the Syracuse in overtime, with wide receiver Eric Decker doing a lot of heavy lifting. QB Adam Weber was 19 of 42 on pass attempts for 248 yards, and Decker caught 9 of those for 183 yards. Duane Bennett did most of the ground work, with 78 rushing yards.
Minnesota went on to win its next game to open TCF Bank Stadium, too, defeating Air Force. The Gophers would finish their season with their second consecutive bowl game berth.
2012 - Minnesota Vs. Syracuse, Gophers win 17-10
The Gophers came into the 2012 game under the lights against the Orange undefeated at 3-0. They would improve to 4-0 that night, thanks to the Gophers defense stifling Syracuse’s offense, which featured quarterback Ryan Nassib, a future NFL draft pick.
The Gophers defense produced 4 turnovers, with 2 interceptions and 2 fumbles. Syracuse wouldn’t find the end zone until there were just 46 seconds left in the game. On offense, Minnesota was led by Donnell Kirkwood, who rushed for 99 yards and 2 touchdowns in front of the sell out crowd.
Minnesota would return to the postseason for the first time since 2009, earring a trip to the Car Care Bowl, while Syracuse won a share of the Big East crown and defeated West Virginia in the Pinstripe Bowl to finish 8-5.
2013 - Minnesota Vs. Syracuse in the Texas Bowl, Orange win 21-17
Minnesota entered the postseason with its best record, 8-4, since 2003. Syracuse, meanwhile, came in at 6-6, needing to win their final game against Boston College to be bowl eligible. Minnesota’s offense struggled in the first half, only scoring a field goal, while Syracuse earned a touchdown to lead 7-3.
Syracuse built a 14-3 lead going into the fourth quarter, but the Gophers stormed back to make it 17-14. Syracuse would score the final points, though, getting into the end zone with 1:14 left to play in the ball game.
Mitch Leidner attempted a Hail Mary as time expired, but it fell to the turf, giving the Orange the victory. Syracuse finished 7-6 while the Gophers were 8-5, having lost their sixth bowl game.
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