Minnesota wide receiver makes incredible catch to win bowl game

Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Jalen Smith made an incredible diving touchdown catch to help the team win the Rate Bowl over the New Mexico Lobos on Friday night.

Minnesota was trailing by three points in overtime and needed a field goal to extend the period or a touchdown to win the game. On third down, Drake Lindsey found Smith between three Lobos defenders. Smith dove and made a wild catch to give Minnesota the 20-17 victory.

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Minnesota wide receiver Jalen Smith scores an overtime touchdown off New Mexico safety Austin Brawley (21) during a Rate Bowl NCAA college football game, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scooteri)

The Golden Gophers led 14-6 after Darius Taylor scored a touchdown. But on the ensuing kickoff, Damon Bankston returned a kick 100 yards for a score. New Mexico’s 2-point conversion tied the game.

The bowl victory marked Minnesota head coach PJ Fleck’s seventh since taking over the Golden Gophers. Minnesota has not lost a bowl game under Fleck and has not lost a bowl game since the 2014 season, when Jerry Kill was the head coach.

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New Mexico safety Austin Brawley and safety Tavian Combs (7) react after losing to Minnesota in an NCAA Rate Bowl college football game, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scooteri)

Lindsey was 18-for-28 with two touchdown passes, both to Smith.

The Lobos went viral during the game for their turquoise uniforms, but they didn’t do enough to distract Minnesota’s defense.

New Mexico quarterback Jack Layne was 14-for-25 with one interception.

Minnesota head coach PJ Fleck, wide receiver Jalen Smith and safety Albert Nunes lift the trophy after defeating New Mexico in an NCAA Rate Bowl college football game, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scooteri)

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Minnesota finishes the season with a record of 8-5. New Mexico fell to 9-4.

The News contributed to this report.

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