Max Brosmer’s performance in the clutch lifts Minnesota past USC
Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer drops back to attempt a pass during the second quarter against USC Saturday October 5, 2024 at Huntington Bank Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
MINNEAPOLIS — After back-to-back lackluster outings in losses to Iowa and Michigan, the Minnesota quarterback put together his best performance in Big Ten play in Saturday night’s victory over USC.
Max Brosmer made some big plays down the stretch for the Golden Gophers’ offense, and wasn’t afraid of the moment. After all, Brosmer put the team on his back, and carried them to the finish line in dramatic fashion. Not only did the Golden Gophers upset the No 11 Trojans, but they also snapped a two-game losing streak and earned their first Big Ten win of the season.
There’s no denying it was Brosmer’s first signature win as Minnesota’s starter. He loved every minute of the contest, especially the way it ended in front of the 50,913 fans in attendance at Huntington Bank Stadium. Brosmer also snatched the red carpet from under USC’s gunslinger Miller Moss during the process.
Not to mention he scored all of Minnesota’s touchdowns, and completed 15 of his 19 passes. His three rushing scores were a season-high, and two of those happened during the final eight minutes of the fourth quarter. With the game tied at 17, Brosmer led the offense on a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, that took over five minutes off the clock.
However, the last score of the game was controversial. Minnesota had the ball on fourth down at USC’s one-yard line, and Offensive Coordinator Greg Harbaugh decided to go for it instead of a field goal attempt.
Brosmer tried a quarterback sneak through the big pile, but the officials ruled him short of the goal line on the field, and a turnover on downs. After replay review, the ruling was overturned, the Golden Gophers were awarded the touchdown, and Brosmer was ecstatic about Harbaugh’s risky decision.
“I loved it, Coach Harbaugh put the fate of the team in the back of the o-line, and what they did the whole game was absolutely incredible,” Brosmer said. “To finish the game like that means the world to me, I’m so proud of my team, and to have all my boys around me at that moment, face-to-face screaming at each other where no one else could see, it was pretty cool.”
Once the smoke cleared, Minnesota led USC in first downs, rushing and yards per play. The Golden Gophers also converted both of their fourth down attempts, and had fewer turnovers than the Trojans. Brosmer was in full command of the offense, he made others around him better, and his teammates were able to build off his energy.
He’s grateful that it took a complete team effort too. The offensive line executed at the point of attack, running back Darius Taylor eclipsed the century mark in rushing yards, and the defense took care of business in the trenches.
“We talked about shooting ourselves in the foot, stupid penalties and stuff, and we did a great job where we was executing every single play,” he said. “The guys did their jobs individually and collectively as a unit, and because of that we were successful, and that’s the end of story.”
Minnesota (3-3) finally played a complete game, and beat a top-15 team for the first time since 2019. It was an unforgettable moment for Brosmer, especially when the fans stormed the field as time expired. Now the Golden Gophers have momentum as they continue to navigate through the Big Ten gauntlet, and Brosmer feels the best is yet to come.
“I think continuing throughout the season we see what happens when we execute the small things, and we can use this game to build upon that.”
