Run the North | Golden Gophers football

[ShireNiner]

Playoff Preview: No 10. Oregon Ducks (10-3, 7-2) at No. 7 Minnesota Golden Gophers (10-2, 7-2)

By: Aiden “AJ” Wexler | December 16, 2027
Minnesota Golden Gopher Reporter

When: Saturday, December 18, 2027
Time: 4:00 pm EST
Broadcast:
Where: Huntington Bank Stadium
Betting Line: Minnesota -2.5

Big Ten Foes Meet in the First Round of the Playoffs


Minneapolis— Fresh off a Big Ten Championship defeat to Michigan, the Oregon Ducks are traveling back to the Midwest for the opening round of the 2027 playoffs. This will be Oregon's first trip to Minneapolis since 1975. The last time these two teams met was in 2025 in Eugene, when Minnesota won 24-20. That was Mick Smith's first "big" win as the coach of Minnesota. Since then, Minnesota has made and lost two Big Ten Championship games and won two playoff games. Oregon has yet to win a playoff game since Dan Lanning left the program. This will be their second attempt under Kenny Dillingham.

For Minnesota to win, they will need to run the ball. Oregon ranks number one in nearly every offensive stat in the Big Ten, but is ranked near the bottom on defense, allowing 26.8 points per game and 118.9 rush yards per game. Minnesota's defense will not be able to slow down the Oregon offense for four quarters, but if the Gophers can control the clock and the ball, they will have a good chance to win.

Key Players
Dante Moore - 274/389, 70%, 3,806 yds, 42 TDs, 3 INTs, sacked 3 times
Josh Bobo - 132/209, 63%, 1,318 yds, 18 TDs, 5 INTs, sacked 7 times
Dierre Hill Jr - 246 atts, 1,280 yds, 5.2 avg, 4 TDs, 577 YAC
Fame Ijeboi - 200 atts, 1,297 yds, 6.5 avg, 9 TDs, 356 YAC, 263 rec yds, 2 rec TDs
Cooper Perry - 75 rec, 1,072 yds, 13 TDs, 340 RAC
Connor Malik - 69 rec, 641 yds, 7 TDs, 243 RAC
D. Moore - 69 rec, 906 yds, 8 TDs, 292 RAC
Jalen Smith - 47 rec, 534 yds, 6 TDs, 292 RAC
Kenric Lanier II - 38 rec, 423 yds, 5 TDs, 228 RAC
Tawfiq Byard - 84 TAK, 4 TFL, 1 sack
Mitch Horan - 88 TAK, 9 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 1 INT
Alex Flowers - 64 TAK, 4 TFL, 1 sack
Tevon Howard - 77 TAK, 3 TFL, 1 INT
Vernon Woodward III - 50 TAK, 3 TFL, 6 INTs, 12 DEFLs, 1 FFUM

What did you think of this story?

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Aiden “AJ” Wexler is a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering Minnesota Gophers Football. He previously covered local high schools in the Minneapolis area. He is based in Minneapolis, MN. Follow AJ on Twitter @AidensFake.

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Comments

[redsox907]

how tf Dante Moore still there

[ShireNiner]

how tf Dante Moore still there

Oregon $$$$$$

[YaBoyRobRoy]

Dante ain't shit! Time for some Duck Hunt

[ShireNiner]

Ducks Dominate Gophers, 42-20, ending Gophers Season


Minnesota limps to the finish line suffering the worst defeat in Smith era (ShireNiner PS5 images)

By: Bill Connelly | December 19, 2027
Writer, CFB/NFL

Minneapolis— Mick Smith looked up at the scoreboard in disbelief as the clock hit all zeros. The season was full of up and downs but nobody expected an ending like this. The Oregon Ducks came into Huntington Bank stadium and handed the Gophers their worst defeat since Mick Smith took over in 2025.

Losing to Oregon in the playoffs was not a shock but the way it happened left Minneapolis silenced. After returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown, Minnesota fans thought another big win was coming. Then Dante Moore took the field.

The Oregon QB went off for 402 yards and 3 touchdowns, never letting Minnesota’s defense get comfortable. “We didn’t show up told. That simple.” Smith said after the game “I feel bad for our fans and for our seniors. They all deserved better and we fell short.”

On offense, Minnesota’s surprise star Josh Bobo showed everyone why he’s always been a backup. Going 23/46, 269 yards, 2 touchdowns and 4 interceptions plus a lost fumble.

“Josh will sit with this one all summer. He stepped in when AJ Brand went down and took the job. He did great for us but in the end, the negatives overtook the positives for us.”

Minnesota kept it close in the first half, going into the break trailing 24-14. The opening drive of the second half is where it all unraveled. Star running back Fame Ijeboi left with a bruised knee, two players later Bobo threw a red zone interception. Instead of 24-21, Oregon was now on the Gophers 15 with a 24-14 lead that soon became 31-14.

The next three possessions felt the same. Two more interceptions and a lost fumble, turning the game 42-14 before a late Gophers touchdown that made the score a smidge better.

The loss ends the season for Minnesota, a step back from the run last season where they won two playoff games. “I don’t care about that.” Smith said when asked about regression. “We are here to win the championship, losing now or two games later doesn’t matter to me. If the season ends in a loss, it is a bad season in my mind.”

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Soapys' Box Score

Passing
Josh Bobo - 23/46, 269 yds, 50%, 2 TDs, 4 INTs, 96 QBR
Dante Moore - 32/41, 402 yds, 78%, 3 TDs

Rushing
Xavier Ford - 10 atts, 71 yds, 7.1 avg, 25 YAC
Dierre Hill Jr - 18 atts, 84 yds, 4.7 avg

Receiving
Connor Malik - 6 rec, 102 yds, 21 RAC
Jalen Smith - 5 rec, 52 yds, 24 RAC
Dakorien Moore - 8 rec, 152 yds, 1 TD, 94 RAC

Defense
Emmanuel Karmo - 6 tlks, 2 sacks
Tyson Howard - 12 tlks, 1 TFL
Vernon Woodward II - 4 tlks, 3 DEFL

Na’eem Offord - 6 tlks, 2 INTs
Finney Jr - 5 tlks, 1 INT

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Bill Connelly is a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering post-game news for College Football and Premier League Soccer. He previously worked at ESPN covering College Football, Tennis, and Soccer.

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Comments

[six7]

dante Fn moore

[ShireNiner]

dante Fn moore

I wish he did this in real life.