Tyler Johnson cemented himself as the greatest wide receiver in Gophers history by going out in style with a dominant performance in Minnesota’s 31-24 win over Auburn in the Outback Bowl.
Johnson, a senior from north Minneapolis, had 12 receptions for 204 yards and two touchdowns, including a 73-yard score early in the fourth quarter to break a 24-24 tie.
Tyler Johnson 73 yards to the HOUSE to give Minnesota (+7) a 7-point lead in the 4th as well as hit the over (53)
https://t.co/1qfKvtm7iN— Barstool Gambling (@stoolgambling) January 1, 2020
Johnson’s first touchdown grab was one of the best of his career, using one hand to haul in a high throw from Tanner Morgan, then getting a foot down in the back of the end zone. The play was reviewed and upheld as a touchdown.
Insane TD catch from Tyler Johnson pic.twitter.com/8TvKvpxdaZ
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) January 1, 2020
Johnson ended his college career with the most receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in Gophers history, and the second-most receptions, trailing only Eric Decker (226 catches).
- 213 receptions – #2 in Gophers history
- 3,305 receiving yards – #1 in Gophers history
- 33 receiving touchdowns #1 in Gophers history
Morgan, a redshirt sophomore who will return to the Gophers next season, passed for 278 yards and two scores by completing 19 of 29 passes. He finishes the season with 3,253 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
On the ground, Minnesota was led by sophomore running back Mohamed Ibrahim, who rushed 20 times for 140 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, the Gophers dominated Auburn’s rushing attack, limiting the Tigers to 56 yards on 26 carries (2.2 yards per carry). Ten of Auburn’s points were on the defense, as one score came on a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a field goal was the result of a short field after a Morgan interception on the opening drive of the game.
Minnesota finishes the season 11-2, the most wins in program history since the 1903 Gophers went 13-0.
