The New Mexico Lobos and the Minnesota Golden Gophers had a good season for 2025, but were not good enough to make it to the College Football Playoffs. However, they did make it to the Rate Bowl at the Chase Field in Phoenix this Friday. This will be the first time either team has taken on the other, so this matchup should be quite interesting.
Golden Gophers head coach PJ Fleck is still undefeated at Bowl games since taking over at Minnesota, but New Mexico will be coming in with a much better record at 9-3. The Golden Gophers finished the season at 7-5, and many are wondering if the Lobos could stop Fleck’s Bowl-winning streak at Phoenix, which is nearer to New Mexico, so expect more Lobos supporters to be there.
Rate Bowl: New Mexico vs. Minnesota Opt-Outs And Injury Report
New Mexico Lobos
- Michael Buckley, WR: injured, out
- Richard Pearce, OG: injured, questionable
- Xavier Slayton, DL: injured, questionable
- Abraham Williams, CB: injured, out
- Drew Speech, S: injured, questionable
No opt-outs for the Lobos ahead of the Rate Bowl, with Speech, Slayton and Williams all having a good chance to be able to play. However, DE Keyshawn James-Newby is considered a potential opt-out for Friday, but there is also a big chance for him to play.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
- Fame Ijeboi, RB: Opted out, transfer portal
- AJ Turner, RBL: injured, out
- Malchi Coleman, WR: Opted out, transfer portal
- Kenric Lanier II, WR: Opted out, transfer portal
- Marcellus Marshall, OG: injured, questionable
- Matt Kingsbury, LB: injured, out
- Za’Quan Bryan, injured, out
With head coach PJ Fleck’s undefeated streak at bowl games on the line, three Golden Gophers players have already announced that they are opting out of Friday’s Rate Bowl. Meanwhile, AJ Turner is already out for the season, while a few players have a low chance of being able to play.
There are some potential opt-outs, including WR Le’Meke Brockington (declared for the NFL draft), RB Darius Taylor, DT Deven Eastern, DE Anthony Smith and LB Devon Williams, but their statuses have not been made official yet. Brockington is expected to opt out, he has not yet done so officially.
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