Syracuse wins 2013 Texas Bowl with 21-17 win over Minnesota

Syracuse quarterback Terrel Hunt was selected the MVP
of the 2013 Texas Bowl.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2013 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 29, 2013) Regaining the lead on a 12-yard run by game quarterback Terrel Hunt with 1:14 remaining in the game, the Syracuse Orange held on the defeat the Minnesota Golden Gophers by the score of 21-17 in the Texas Bowl held at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas on Friday evening, December 27, 2013.

The Orange went into the fourth quarter with a 14-3 lead, but Minnesota scored two touchdowns within three minutes of each other to take the lead for the first time in the game.

The first score of the game occurred at the 10:04 mark in the second quarter when Jerome Smith scampered one-yard to cap off an 11 play, 80 yard drive to give Syracuse a 7-0 lead.

Minnesota came back with no time remaining in the first half with a Chris Hawthorne 41-yard field goal to make the score 7-3.

Syracuse upped the score to 14-3 at the 2:57 mark in the third quarter on a Hunt five-yard run and a Ryan Norton extra point.

Minnesota then scored their two fourth quarter touchdowns to make the score 17-14 prior to Hunt’s late fourth quarter score.

Members of the Syracuse Orange hoist the
2013 Texas Bowl trophy.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2013 All Rights Reserved

With the win, Syracuse lifted its season record to 7-6, while the Golden Gophers fell to 8-5.

Hunt, who was selected the game’s MVP by a vote of the media, passed for 188 yards, while competing 19-of-29 passes and one touchdown.

In addition, he rushed for 89 yards on 15 carried and scored tow touchdowns on the grown.

For Minnesota, quarterback Mitch Leidner completed 11-of 22 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns.

David Cobb carried the ball 18 times for 91 yards for the Golden Gophers.

Minnesota became the first team to appear in the Texas Bowl twice. The Golden Gophers met Texas Tech in the 2012 Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas, where they lost by the score 34-31 to the Red Raiders.

The total paid attendance for the game was 32,327.

The 2014 edition of the game will feature teams from the SEC and the Big 12 facing off at Reliant Stadium.

The date for the 2014 game has yet to be determined.