Minnesota shocked No. 11 USC 24-17 on Saturday night, and the way the Golden Gophers achieved their 21st through 24th points was a source of intrigue, drama, and near disastrous consequences.
First, let's back up.
With just over 10 minutes to play, USC had the ball and a 17-10 lead when the Trojans faced a 3rd-and-4 at the Minnesota 35-yard line. Anything other than a turnover would've allowed USC a chance to push the lead to 10, but instead Miller Moss's pass was intercepted.
Minnesota then moved 65 yards in six plays, tying the game on a 5-yard keeper by Max Brosmer. Remember that name.
The Gophers defense forced a three-and-out, and then Minnesota perfectly executed a game-winning drive. Almost too perfectly. Over 12 plays and 5:13, Minnesota strolled its way across 75 yards. There were completions of 22 and 16 yards, but mostly running for gains of 8 and 9 and 2 and 3.
With 1:55 to play, Minnesota achieved a 1st-and-goal at USC's 4. On first down, Darius Taylor ran for one yard. On second down, Taylor plunged forward for two. On third down, Brosmer kept for no gain.
With 59 seconds to play, Minnesota called timeout. Rather than take a near-certain lead with a field goal, PJ Fleck kept his offense on the field and risked bypassing taking the lead in a tie game in the final minute.
On fourth down, Brosmer kept it. The call on the field ruled the Minnesota quarterback short, but replay showed he reached the end zone.
"It wasn't very hard," Fleck told BTN afterward. "Put it in the hands of the players, and usually you're never disappointed."
Those four extra points proved useful. USC reached the Minnesota 28 with 21 seconds left, and Moss's pass into the end zone was intercepted to seal Fleck's biggest win since beating No. 4 Penn State in 2019.
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