DETROIT — The “tush push” offensive play has taken football by storm this season, but the Gophers put a hipster variation on that trend during the Quick Lane Bowl on Tuesday.

Instead of teammates pushing quarterback Cole Kramer on a short-yardage plunge, Minnesota ran a play-action pass with tight end Jameson Geers faking the push and being left wide open for Kramer to find for a 7-yard touchdown completion.

Minnesota had fed Bowling Green a steady diet of 19 runs in the opening 21 plays to start the third quarter, which perfectly set up the crafty wrinkle from offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh.

The Gophers continue to pound the ball on ground, with 255 total rushing yards, in a 30-24 victory over Bowling Green at Ford Field.

Running back Darius Taylor, a Detroit native, rushed 35 times for 208 yards and one touchdown and was named bowl MVP. The true freshman came back from injury to put up the third highest rushing yardage and carries totals in Gophers bowl history.

The Gophers (6-7) have won seven straight bowl games, including all five under current head coach P.J. Fleck.

Bowling Green (7-6) couldn’t repeat the huge upset over Minnesota as a 31-point underdog it pulled off in a 14-10 win in September 2021.

Bowling Green hung around this time with two fourth-quarter rushing touchdowns, including a score to make it a six-point game with two minutes left. But Corey Crooms recovered the onside lick and Taylor got a first down to allow the Gophers to put the game on ice.

Kramer, making his first career start, had thrown an earlier touchdown to Elijah Spencer, but managed only 26 passing yards on eight completions.

Minnesota, a three-point betting favorite, relied on its rushing attack for all 78 yards on the opening touchdown drive of the second half, with Kramer scoring on a 1-yard tush push. He had two passes fall incomplete on the drive.

Bowling Green put the quick in Quick Lane Bowl with a touchdown drive within the opening two minutes of the game. A three-play drive was capped with a 46-yard completion from Conner Bazelak to Odieu Hilaire, with Justin Walley in coverage.

On KFAN at halftime, Fleck chalked up that allowed TD to a communication issue, a season-long bugaboo for the U defense.

Minnesota answered on its first offensive drive, but it was slow and steady. Taylor had 10 touches, including eight carries and two receptions, but Kramer capped it with a 4-yard completion to Spencer.

The U tried a trick 2-point conversion, but kicker Dragan Kesich’s rollout turned into a rush and he was stopped at the half-yard line. Minnesota trailed 7-6 after the first quarter.

Boosted by Kramer’s 30-yard scramble up the middle, the Gophers took a 9-7 lead with a 31-yard field goal midway through the second quarter.

The lead didn’t last as left tackle Aireontae Ersery was beaten around the edge by Bowling Green’s top pass rusher, Cashius Howell, who hit Kramer as he threw. The fluttering pass was picked off by Darius Lorfils and returned 28 yards. A roar came from the pro-Bowling Green crowd — with fans traveling roughly 80 miles north from the Ohio school.

Minnesota’s defense allowed the Falcons nothing on that drive, but they were able to take a 10-9 lead with a 33-yard field goal with 1:38 left in the half.

After the 75-yard opening drive, Minnesota’s defense, which was led by safeties coach Danny Collins, allowed a total of 65 yards on the next five drives in the first half.

The U’s defense allowed Bowling Green to hang around in the fourth quarter.

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