Ky Thomas and Mar’Keise “Bucky” Irving combined for 273 rushing yards and each averaged more than six yards per carry as the Minnesota Golden Gophers beat up on the West Virginia Mountaineers en route to a season-ending 18-6 win in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.
Minnesota’s defense dominated in the early going, forcing West Virginia to go three-and-out on their first two possessions of the game. But the Gophers’ offense struggled to capitalize, missing a 32-yard field goal attempt on their opening drive. They made it into the red zone on their second possession but Ky Thomas fumbled the ball at the six-yard line and West Virginia recovered.