If college football fans are tuning into today’s Rate Bowl between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and New Mexico Lobos looking for offense, they just might get their wish.
This bowl game, which will be played at Chase Field in Phoenix, features two quarterbacks who have thrown for more than 2,000 yards this season. Fans who prefer defensive play can focus on a pair of sack leaders for Minnesota and New Mexico, respectively.
Minnesota Golden Gophers Opt-Outs and Injury Report
In the era of the transfer portal, some players choose to opt out of bowl games. Often, those players are already looking ahead to the NFL Draft for potential professional careers.
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For the Golden Gophers, three players have entered the transfer portal: running back Fame Ijeboi and wide receivers Malachi Coleman and Kenric Lanier. Minnesota enters the bowl game healthy, with no reported injury concerns.
The loss of those three offensive options means Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey, who has thrown for 2,235 yards this season entering the Rate Bowl, will need to look elsewhere. Running back Darius Taylor and wide receiver Lemeke Brockington are expected to see increased action.
Defensive lineman Anthony Smith enters the Rate Bowl with 10.5 sacks on the season and will likely look to add to that total before the year concludes.
New Mexico Lobos Opt-Outs and Injury Report
New Mexico enters the Rate Bowl with a 9-3 overall record and is at full strength. The Lobos have no notable injuries, and no players have opted out of the bowl game.
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Quarterback Jack Layne leads the Lobos’ offense and has totaled 2,398 passing yards this season. Layne has also thrown 13 touchdown passes, though he has nine interceptions. Damon Bankston anchors the running game with 578 rushing yards, while wide receiver Keagan Johnson has caught five touchdown passes.
On defense, tackle Keyshawn James-Newby has recorded eight sacks this season and will aim to add to that total, potentially reaching double digits against Minnesota.
How to Watch the Rate Bowl
Kickoff for the Rate Bowl is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Mike Monaco will handle play-by-play duties, with Kirk Morrison providing color commentary. Dawn Davenport will serve as the sideline reporter.
Both teams will look to ignite their offenses in the Valley of the Sun in Phoenix.
