Sometimes mid-tier bowl games feature high-scoring antics, superstar performances and thrilling finishes to turn them in to classics. The 2016 Holiday Bowl was not one of those contests.

But quarterback Mitch Leidner and running back Rodney Smith did just enough offensively, and the Minnesota defense turned in a stellar performance, as the Gophers came away with a 17-12 win over Washington State on Tuesday to end their season with a win.

The Gophers won nine games in a season for the first time since 2003 and their second bowl game in a row after failing to w...

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