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Guaranteed Rate Bowl Game Recap: Live Highlights From Minnesota vs. West Virginia

The Golden Gophers and Mountaineers are meeting for the first time ever in Phoenix. Here are the biggest moments from Tuesday at Chase Field.
Lauren Withrow|
Guaranteed Rate Bowl Game Recap: Live Highlights From Minnesota vs. West Virginia
Guaranteed Rate Bowl Game Recap: Live Highlights From Minnesota vs. West Virginia

The Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-4, 6-3 Big Ten) travel to Phoenix, Ariz. to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers (6-6, 4-5 Big 12) in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl on Tuesday at 8:15 p.m. local. This is the first-ever matchup between the Mountaineers and Golden Gophers.

Final Score: Minnesota 18 — West Virginia 6

Fourth Quarter 

1:32— Minnesota will kneel this one out and win the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, finishing their season with a 9-4 record and a Gatorade shower for head coach P.J. Fleck. 

Third Quarter

1:20— Tanner Morgan intercepted by Charles Woods, Woods returned it to the Minnesota 41-yard line. 

4:01— Jarret Doege is sacked for a loss of eight yards by Tyler Nubin. 

5:53— Matthew Trinkett drills a kick from 49 yards out to extend the Minnesota lead. Minnesota leads 18-6. 

Halftime: Minnesota 15 — West Virginia 6

Second Quarter

:36— Jarret Doege intercepted by Michael Dixon at the Minnesota 15-yard line to end the half. 

2:14— Ky Thomas takes another carry up the middle for a 5-yard touchdown. Matthew Trickett's kick is good, Minnesota leads 15-6

3:38— Ky Thomas bursts up the middle and takes it 50 yards to the West Virginia 9-yard line. 

8:48— Jarret Doege rushes into the end zone for the West Virginia touchdown. West Virginia's two point conversion attempt is unsuccessful, Minnesota leads 8-6. 

14:19— Offensive lineman Daniel Faalele runs it up the middle for the Minnesota touchdown. Brock Annexstad converts the two point conversion, Minnesota leads 8-0. 

14:53 — Mar'Keise Irving rushes for 23 yards to the West Virginia 2-yard line

First Quarter

5:49 — Minnesota DE Boye Mafe sacks WVU QB Jarret Doege for a loss of 8 yards at the WVU 1-yard line. 

9:58 — WVU DL Dante Stills sacks Minnesota QB Tanner Morgan on third down for a loss of 10 yards.

Pregame

The Golden Gophers get in the holiday spirit

Minnesota channeled their inner kid with a trip to a local arcade in partnership with Cub Foods. 

The Mountaineers get in on some NBA action

West Virginia took a team trip to watch the Phoenix Suns in a nail-biting game against the Memphis Grizzlies. 

The Golden Gophers and Mountaineers arrive in Phoenix

Minnesota and West Virginia arrived in Phoenix on Dec. 23 and Dec. 25, respectively. Each team participated in walk-through, media opportunities, and other team activities before game day. 

The home of the Arizona Diamondbacks was transformed into a football field

Chase Field, home to MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks, was transformed into a football field. Endzones are located along the first base line and in the left field warning track. 

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Lauren Withrow
LAUREN WITHROW

Lauren Withrow is the Publisher of Wildcats Daily on Sports Illustrated's FanNation Network. Withrow is also a Host/Reporter for Mountaineer Maven, Wolverine Digest, All Panthers and Illini Now.  Follow Lauren on Twitter: @lolowithrow.

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