Gophers football team learns bowl game destination, opponent

Minnesota head football coach P.J. Fleck
Minnesota head football coach P.J. Fleck argues with officials during the first half of a game against Wisconsin on Nov. 24, 2018, in Madison, Wis.
Andy Manis | AP

The University of Minnesota football team will travel to a familiar destination for its postseason bowl game — but they'll face an unfamiliar opponent.

The Gophers learned Sunday that they'll take on Georgia Tech in the Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit on Dec. 26. Kickoff is at 4:15 p.m. Central time.

It's the Gophers' second trip to the Quick Lane Bowl; they beat Central Michigan in the 2015 game.

But Minnesota has never before faced Georgia Tech.

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The Gophers finished the season 6-6 and became bowl eligible with a memorable win over Wisconsin in the final game of the regular season, when they reclaimed Paul Bunyan's Axe for the first time since 2003. Georgia Tech finished the season 7-5.

Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson announced last week that he is retiring after 11 seasons leading the Yellow Jackets.

The Quick Lane Bowl will be the Gophers' 20th bowl game appearance all-time. Minnesota is 7-12 overall in the postseason.

Georgia Tech is 25-19 all-time in bowl games, including three wins in the last four. It will be Georgia Tech's first appearance in the Quick Lane Bowl.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.