IOWA CITY, Iowa — The Gophers’ win at Kinnick Stadium in 2023 has become lonely in the recent series history with the Hawkeyes.
With a 41-3 blowout loss to Iowa on Saturday, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck fell to 1-8 against the Hawkeyes in the Floyd of Rosedale rivalry since 2017. Fleck lost his first six games against Iowa through 2022, earned a road win two years ago, but has since lost two in a row.
“It’s valid and facts of what we haven’t done,” Fleck said. “We’ve had a lot of close games, too. We won here two years ago, which hadn’t been done since 1999. It’s really hard. (The Hawkeyes) have had lots of cultural sustainability. They’ve done a really good job recruiting. They are a really good football team. That is why they are always in this position. They are a really hard out. I think we are becoming a really hard out after nine years. We are.”
Fleck noted all the ways Saturday’s game got out of hand, including back-breaking returns for touchdowns: one on an interception, the other off a punt. Those two game-changing plays, plus two offensive scores and a field goal made it 31-0 after only 19 minutes of game time.
“This game got away from us really quick,” Fleck said.
Taylor sidelined again
Besides the rivalry trophy, the Gophers also lost top tailback Darius Taylor on Saturday.
Taylor had only one carry for one yard, which came on the first play offensive play of the game against the Hawkeyes. A bit later, he went to the sideline and didn’t return for the second half.
“The medical staff will take care of that,” Fleck said postgame. “I will do everything I can to update you as we go along.”
Taylor has struggled to stay heathy this season. The true junior from Detroit injured his hamstring in the Northwestern (La.) State win in September and missed two games against California and Rutgers but returned to play against Ohio State and Purdue.
Taylor had his best game of the season in the 24-6 win over Nebraska last week — 24 carries for 148 yards and his first touchdown of the season.
With the blowout and Taylor sidelined Saturday, the Gophers turned to Fame Ijeboi — who finished with nine carries for 17 yards — and Cam Davis who had two carries for four yards. When the game was out of hand, Xavier Ford had eight carries for 25 yards.
Briefly
Gophers AD Mark Coyle told the KFAN pregame show he is a proponent of expanding the College Football Playoff from the current 12 teams up to 24. Expansion vote is expected later this year. … Fleck remains one win short of Glen Mason on the U’s career wins list at 64. … Minnesota is one win short of six and bowl eligibility, with a home game against Michigan State next Saturday. … Gophers cornerback John Nestor returned from a one-game injury absence to play against his former school, but he left the Iowa game with another injury. … Cornerback Mike Gerald, safety Garrison Monroe, recieverLogan Loya and linebacker Jeff Roberson were listed as out on the unavailability report.
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