Advertisement
  1. Sports
  2. /
  3. USF Bulls

Minnesota to face Auburn in Outback Bowl

The Golden Gophers are making their first appearance in the Tampa game.
Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck, spent the 2012 season as Buccaneers receivers coach. He returns to Raymond James Stadium on New Year's Day, when the Golden Gophers face Auburn in the Outback Bowl. [STACY BENGS | AP]
Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck, spent the 2012 season as Buccaneers receivers coach. He returns to Raymond James Stadium on New Year's Day, when the Golden Gophers face Auburn in the Outback Bowl. [STACY BENGS | AP]
By Joey Knight
Published Dec. 8, 2019
Updated Dec. 8, 2019

Seven years after his one-season stint on Greg Schiano’s Buccaneers staff in Tampa Bay, P.J. Fleck is returning to Raymond James Stadium, oars and all.

Fleck, who has made “Row the Boat” part of the collegiate vernacular, brings his 16th-ranked Minnesota team (10-2) to Raymond James Stadium to face No. 9 Auburn (9-3) in the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day. The 1 p.m. contest will be televised on ESPN.

The Golden Gophers will be making their first New Year’s Day bowl appearance since 2015, and only their second since the 1960 and ’61 teams played in consecutive Rose Bowls.

They have made consecutive postseason appearances under Fleck, whose program has improved every year, from 5-7 to 7-6 to 10-2, during his three-season tenure. Their 31-26 win against then-No. 5 Penn State at home on Nov. 9 was their first triumph against a top-five foe in 20 years.

Auburn is making its fifth Outback Bowl trip. The Tigers are seeking their third 10-win season under coach Gus Malzahn, whose job security ― a perpetual story line on the Plains ― seemingly solidified with last weekend’s 48-45 home win against Alabama.

Tickets can be purchased at this link.

ALSO IN THIS SECTION

  1. USF’s Brian Gregory irate over late whistle in Bulls’ loss at UCF
    Earlier today• USF Bulls
    USF senior point guard Laquincy Rideau (3) drives in the first half of his team's 55-54 loss Saturday at UCF. [Photo provided by UCF Athletics] [UCF Athletics]
    The Bulls coach doesn’t hold back following his team’s controversial 55-54 loss in Orlando
  2. USF men seek to snap eight-game skid vs. UCF Knights in Orlando
    Yesterday• USF Bulls
    USF sophomore center Michael Durr faces a daunting challenge on Saturday night in Orlando against UCF 6-foot-11 veteran Collin Smith. [CHRIS O'MEARA | AP]
    The Bulls, who appear on the cusp of a breakthrough win, haven’t defeated the Knights since 2015.
  3. Jeff Scott: Offensive line, quarterback depth are USF’s immediate recruiting needs
    Jan. 17• USF Bulls
    New USF football coach Jeff Scott, left, meets with members of his coaching staff and support staff at USF on Thursday. [SCOTT KEELER | TAMPA BAY TIMES]
    The new coach also has a date set for the Bulls’ spring intrasquad game
  4. New USF coach Jeff Scott’s message to Bulls players: ‘Those that stay will be champions’
    Jan. 16• USF Bulls
    New USF football coach Jeff Scott, right, talks to members of the football team during a team meeting at USF on Thursday. [SCOTT KEELER | TAMPA BAY TIMES]
    Clemson’s former co-offensive coordinator holds his first full team meeting as USF coach.
  5. USF women face must-win game tonight at Temple ... and every night henceforth
    Jan. 16• USF Bulls
    USF women's coach Jose Fernandez, talking with guard Enna Pehadzic (0) during the Bulls' season-opening win against Jacksonville, leads his team into a critical American Athletic Conference game tonight at Temple. [OCTAVIO JONES | Times]
    A mediocre showing in non-conference play has hindered the Bulls’ NCAA Tournament hopes.
  6. Mitch Wilcox exudes grace, not a grudge, over final USF season
    Jan. 14• USF Bulls
    USF tight end Mitch Wilcox with a reception during a drill on the field during the East practice for the East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field on Monday. [DIRK SHADD | Tampa Bay Times]
    The Tarpon Springs alum insists the Bulls’ disastrous 4-8 season benefited him as he prepares for the NFL draft in this week’s East-West Shrine Game activities.
  7. As second signing day nears, which positions will USF target?
    Jan. 14• USF Bulls
    Expect USF third-year sophomore Jordan McCloud, who started 10 games last season, to get serious competition for the job this spring. [OCTAVIO JONES | Times]
    A look at some of the Bulls’ greatest areas of need entering the recruiting cycle’s final stretch.
  8. Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, LSU’s Ed Orgeron lead new wave of football coaching
    Jan. 13• Gators
    LSU coach Ed Orgeron, left, and Clemson coach Dabo Swinney shake hands on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, near the national championship trophy after a news conference for the College Football Playoff title game. [CHRIS CARLSON | AP]
    Goodbye, task-master ways. The duo leading their teams into the CFP national title game are all about a very personal, aw-shucks, family approach.
  9. USF’s upset bid falls just short against No. 21 Memphis
    Jan. 13• Sports
    USF guard David Collins, left, goes up for a shot against Memphis forward D.J. Jeffries during the second half of the Tigers' 68-64 triumph Sunday at the Yuengling Center. [CHRIS O'MEARA | AP]
    The Bulls squander a 14-point second-half lead in a 68-64 loss to the Tigers at Yuengling Center.
  10. USF men hope for giant step in confounding climb Sunday against Memphis
    Jan. 11• USF Bulls
    USF junior Justin Brown, center, and the rest of the Bulls will try for their first win against a ranked foe since 2012 when they host No. 21 Memphis on Sunday. [OCTAVIO JONES | Times]
    The Bulls can end a 27-game skid against ranked opposition when they host the Tigers.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement