Penn State vs. Minnesota
Date: October 23, 2010
Time: TDB
Location: TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
Last meeting: 20-0 Penn State, 2009
All-time: 7-4, Penn State
2009 record: 6-7 (3-5)
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Penn State v Minnesota History
The two schools have been playing for The Governor’s Victory Bell since 1993 when Penn State joined the Big Ten Conference. Penn State won the trophy during the first four matchups, Minnesota the next four. In 2005, the Nittany Lions regained the trophy after beating the Golden Gophers, 44-14. They retained the trophy in 2006, beating Minnesota 28-27 in overtime and continued their dominance over the Gophers with a 20-0 win last season. Buy Penn State Vs. Minnesota Tickets
Much like Zook, Minnesota coach Tim Brewster is a fiery coach known for his recruiting abilities. Unlike Zook, though, Brewster has done a solid job improving the Minnesota program.
After a disappointing 1-11 season in his first year as coach – which followed five straight bowl appearances under former coach Glen Mason – Brewster has taken the Golden Gophers to
consecutive Insight Bowl appearances.
The defense will be a problem spot for the Gophers and with a six games under their collective belts, the Lions’ quarterback and offensive line should have enough time to find a rhythm and begin clicking. Running back Evan Royster should be poised for a big day against a Gopher defensive line that returns no starters and a linebacker core that also is rebuilding.
Working in the Gophers’ favor, however, is that the Lions will no longer be in the climate-controlled comfort of the Metrodome. Instead, the Lions will get their first taste of the Minnesota cold in the Gophers’ outdoor TCF Bank Stadium.
This is a game the Lions should win – on paper. But the Gophers have given the Lions all they can handle in this series. In 1999, an unranked Gophers squad knocked off No. 2 Penn State on a last-second field goal inside Beaver Stadium. Two years earlier, No. 1 Penn State squeaked out a 16-15 home win against the unranked Gophers.