Neal: Saluting Justin Walley and his punch that saved the Gophers

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BleedGopher

BleedGopher

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Per Neal:

Tyler Nubin's two interceptions were just as highlight-worthy as any of the big plays in the Gophers' 13-10 last-second victory over Nebraska in their opener Thursday. And Daniel Jackson's catch and Dragan Kesich's field goal will be remembered for a long time.

But Justin Walley's fourth-quarter forced fumble on Cornhuskers running back Anthony Grant was a moment of athletic brilliance.

Nebraska had this game. Walley punched it away.

"He wasn't really looking at me,'' Walley said. "We practice 'punch time' so much that it's really instinctual. The ball was out, so I punched it out.''

m.startribune.com

National news - Minnesota Star Tribune

Explore the latest national news of today, breaking news headlines and feature coverage and U.S. news from across the country.
m.startribune.com m.startribune.com

Go Gophers!!
 




There were so many big moments in the dramatic turn around at the end: forced fumble, interception, TD pass, game winning field goal, even the 11 yard run to set up the field goal, it's tough to keep track of them all. This one was huge.
 


Yes....it was the single biggest play of the game, imo. Nebraska was up a touchdown with less than five minutes remaining and had just crossed mid field. This was the point in the game where Nebraska's win probability was 94%. We don't get that brilliant defensive play and none of the other late game heroics even occur.
 

Neal wrote...

"The Gophers trailed 10-3 with four minutes, 53 seconds remaining in the game. The Huskers had the ball, had just gained a first down and were driving toward midfield. Fans were walking toward the Huntington Bank Stadium gates."

Nope, not "fans." Non-believers...

ALL MUST...
1693749400764.png
 

The play occurred when the score was tied 10-10. Nebraska had just got the ball back after MN exceptional reception in the end zone to tie it and Nebby was marching down the field on track to kick a field goal to win.
 




BleedGopher said:
Per Neal:

Tyler Nubin's two interceptions were just as highlight-worthy as any of the big plays in the Gophers' 13-10 last-second victory over Nebraska in their opener Thursday. And Daniel Jackson's catch and Dragan Kesich's field goal will be remembered for a long time.

But Justin Walley's fourth-quarter forced fumble on Cornhuskers running back Anthony Grant was a moment of athletic brilliance.

Nebraska had this game. Walley punched it away.

"He wasn't really looking at me,'' Walley said. "We practice 'punch time' so much that it's really instinctual. The ball was out, so I punched it out.''

m.startribune.com

National news - Minnesota Star Tribune

Explore the latest national news of today, breaking news headlines and feature coverage and U.S. news from across the country.
m.startribune.com m.startribune.com

Go Gophers!!
Click to expand...

Good story but you were up at 3:14am to post it?😲
 



watertown 1987 guy n said:
The play occurred when the score was tied 10-10. Nebraska had just got the ball back after MN exceptional reception in the end zone to tie it and Nebby was marching down the field on track to kick a field goal to win.
Click to expand...
As noted 47 other places, including A COUPLE POSTS UP IN THIS VERY THREAD AND IN NEAL'S ARTICLE ITSELF, the forced fumble and recovery came with the Gophers trailing 10-3.
 



No wonder we can't agree on facts since we all seem to have different recollections. 1. Walley punches the ball out with just over 5 minutes left, the gophers are down 10 - 3. Repeat, rinse repeat. 2. Average catch in the endzone, game tied (just kidding) 10 -10.. 3. Nubin intercepts a first down pass and returns it to the Minnesota 49. 4. Game winning field goal after a bad holding call.
 

BroncoRedux said:
No wonder we can't agree on facts since we all seem to have different recollections. 1. Walley punches the ball out with just over 5 minutes left, the gophers are down 10 - 3. Repeat, rinse repeat. 2. Average catch in the endzone, game tied (just kidding) 10 -10.. 3. Nubin intercepts a first down pass and returns it to the Minnesota 49. 4. Game winning field goal after a bad holding call.
Click to expand...
4. There was no holding call. False start.
 
Last edited:

watertown 1987 guy n said:
The play occurred when the score was tied 10-10. Nebraska had just got the ball back after MN exceptional reception in the end zone to tie it and Nebby was marching down the field on track to kick a field goal to win.
Click to expand...
Incorrect. Opposite order. Understandable though, if you were like me and severely intoxicated at that point.
 

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