Quick Lane Bowl 2015, Minnesota vs Central Michigan, 21-14: Full highlights, final score and more
Minnesota and Central Michigan faced off for the 2015 Quick Lane Bowl and the game did not disappoint.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers had one of the more disappointing seasons of any Big Ten squad and they were looking to win their sixth game of the year. You can bet these kids wanted to win it for retired, for health reasons, head coach Jerry Kill who left the team halfway through the season.
Central Michigan is one of the better MAC teams and they had a real shot to upset the Gophers. With flamethrower Cooper Rush at quarterback, the Chippewas had a realistic shot to beat Minnesota at Ford Field in somewhat of a home game.
Rush didn’t have his best game for Central, completing just 50 percent of his passes and a pick, leading to the Chippewas’ defeat.
Not known for his stellar passing ability, Mitch Leidner was a big reason as to why the Golden Gophers came away with a win in this one, passing for over 200 yards and a touchdown. This was not an offensive shootout, by any means.
Three Stars
Mitch Leidner was the top player for the Gophers in this one, passing for 223 yards and a touchdown on 24-of-30 completions. He also added a rushing score.
Central Michigan doesn’t have a good run game, but Romello Ross led all rushers with 100 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.
KJ Maye caught the only touchdown pass of the game for either team as the Gophers’ wide out also finished with 67 yards on eight catches.
Full Highlights
Quick Lane Bowl : QB Mitch Leidner pour WR KJ Maye. TD Gophers. Minnesota 10, Central Michigan 7 https://t.co/9iny83oE7O #NCAAFFr #TBP
— TBP College Football (@thebluepennant) December 28, 2015
WATCH: Cooper Rush puts CMU on the board. https://t.co/AGRJGc1Wgw
— CM Life Sports (@CMLifeSports) December 28, 2015
[ESPN Video] M. Leidner pass intercepted,J. Cox return for 0 yds:
— UM Golden Gophers (@BR_UMGophers) December 29, 2015
Mitch Leidner pass intercepted J... https://t.co/drReiqpl5q #Minnesota
Leidner takes it to the house for Minnesota #B1G #QuickLaneBowl https://t.co/devcqr1ghu
— Kevin Causey (@CFBZ) December 29, 2015
Romello Ross would NOT go down on this run into the endzone. #QuickLaneBowl https://t.co/NH6s4wIhWU
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 29, 2015
Betting Odds
Minnesota was a five-point favorite heading into this one and the over/under was set at a solid 48 points. The Golden Gophers covered the spread, but the two teams combined for just 35 points.
2016 Openers
Minnesota opens the 2016 at home against the Oregon State Beavers and former Wisconsin head coach Gary Andersen. That would be a nice exposure game against a Power-Five team.
Central Michigan opens the 2016 campaign against Presbyterian of the FCS. It should be an easy win for the Chippewas.