CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Just moments before being hit with a five-gallon tub of mayonnaise, Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck enthusiastically called out, “make it a double!” With his players cheering and chanting “Mayo! Mayo!”, the 44-year-old coach donned a Duke’s Mayo Bowl necktie and braced himself for the chilly 40-degree weather, marking a festive culmination of the evening’s events, a tradition celebrated in college football.
“I told our players if they had 15 tubs of those, I would have done all 15,” Fleck remarked. “It’s worth it to be a champion at the end of the year.” The Golden Gophers secured a 24-10 victory against Virginia Tech, marking their eighth consecutive bowl win. Max Brosmer threw for 211 yards and one touchdown, while Darius Taylor contributed 113 rushing yards, a touchdown, and also a passing score.
Elijah Spencer emerged as the star of the game by catching six passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns. His performance earned him the game’s MVP title, returning to Charlotte where he previously played for two seasons with the 49ers. “It was big time because I didn’t think I would have another opportunity to play in front of all of my friends and family,” Spencer expressed. “A lot of friends and family haven’t seen me play since I went to Minnesota, so being able to play in my backyard, hey, why not?”
Fleck reflected on Spencer’s farewell game, saying, “It’s a little ironic. And it’s a fitting end to his career. He had two really great years with us.” This victory added to Fleck’s remarkable record, marking his sixth consecutive bowl win with the Golden Gophers. “In the era 2024-25, it’s really difficult to build a team and connect a team, but it is way easier when you have a group of men like these guys,” he noted.
Virginia Tech saw backup quarterback Collins Schlee score a touchdown, while Ayden Greene had six catches for 115 yards. However, the Hokies have struggled recently, suffering losses in five out of their last six bowl games. The Golden Gophers held a significant advantage in total yards, outgaining the Hokies 403-223. Neither quarterback for Virginia Tech reached 100 passing yards, as Schlee and William Watson alternated in the role. The offense struggled to gain traction, failing to convert in three consecutive series under Watson. Schlee briefly ignited the team with a 67-yard throw to Greene, leading to a 7-0 score after his own touchdown run.
Yet, momentum quickly shifted in Minnesota’s favor. The Gophers scored 21 unanswered points in the second quarter, highlighted by Spencer’s catches on a 10-yard halfback option pass from Taylor and a 12-yard reception from Brosmer. Taylor’s 28-yard run capped the scoring surge, pushing the lead to 21-7. As the game neared its conclusion and Minnesota was ahead 24-10, the Hokies intercepted a pass, giving them one last opportunity. Despite this chance, they were unable to capitalize, culminating in an interception by Za’Quan Bryan in the end zone with just over four minutes left, effectively sealing the Gophers’ victory.
“Offensively, we got in the red zone and we couldn’t score,” coach Brent Pry stated. “We get down there, and we have to score.”
In terms of notable events from the game, Virginia Tech’s John Love set a bowl record with a remarkable 60-yard field goal at the end of the first half. Additionally, a fun side note emerged when it was revealed post-game that hip-hop artist Flavor Flav served as the bowl game’s unofficial mascot, “Tubby,” resembling a giant mayonnaise jar, and also participated in the mayo pour.
Coach Pry incurred a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct after venturing too far down the sideline to contest a referee’s call. “We are going to fight for every inch, and I thought there were a couple of calls that were missed,” he explained.
Thus, another college bowl season concluded with memorable moments in Charlotte, a celebration of camaraderie, tradition, and spirited competition.
