NEW YORK — Tanner Morgan, the Gophers sixth-year senior quarterback who's seen more highs and lows than most players could imagine, took the snap from Nathan Boe and dropped to a knee in victory formation one last time.
Morgan, thrust into Thursday's Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium because of an injury to starter Athan Kaliakmanis, closed his Minnesota career with style and substance by passing for two touchdowns as the Gophers outlasted Syracuse 28-20 for their sixth consecutive bowl victory and fourth in a row under coach P.J. Fleck.
"The thing I just keep coming back to is gratefulness,'' Morgan said. "I'm grateful for every teammate I've had. I'm grateful for every coach I've had.''
And Thursday, those teammates, both old and young, played key roles so Morgan, out since Nov. 4 because of concussions, didn't have to shoulder all of the burden. Running back Mohamed Ibrahim rushed 16 times for 71 yards in the first half, in the process stamping his name all over the Gophers' record book. True freshman defensive back Coleman Bryson returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown, just when the Orange were threatening to take the lead. And redshirt freshman wideout Quentin Redding returned a kickoff 72 yards to set up Minnesota's final TD, the second of wide receiver Daniel Jackson's two TD grabs.
"It was a well-fought game on both sides,'' Fleck said. "It could have gone either way. I'm just really glad it came out the way it did for us.''
The Gophers finished the season 9-4 for the second consecutive year and have nine or more wins in the past three full seasons.
The victory carried a price, though, with Kaliakmanis leaving the game in the second quarter after taking a low hit. He was assisted off the field by training staff, putting very little weight on his injured leg. Kaliakmanis did not return to the game. Also, linebacker Cody Lindenberg suffered a leg injury and left the game for good in the third quarter.
Afterward, Fleck delivered good news concerning both players.