Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman sets new TCF Bank Stadium record against Penn State
After a sluggish September on the ground, Minnesota found its rushing attack last month, averaging more than 293 rushing yards per game in October.
But in the Golden Gophers first game of November, they are beating Penn State through the air, especially with sophomore wide receiver Rashod Bateman. Minnesota has 328 passing yards with still about nine minutes remaining in the game Saturday, and Bateman is leading the way with a record-setting performance.
A new TCF Bank Stadium (for a #Gophers player) record! Rashod is up to 154 receiving yards this afternoon. #PSUvsMINN pic.twitter.com/XleCvqY4Mv
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) November 9, 2019
Bateman added to that total and is up to seven receptions for 203 yards and a touchdown. That’s good enough for an average of 29.0 yards per catch.
By reaching the 200-yard mark, Bateman is the first player to ever accomplish that feat in a B1G game. He’s also 25 yards shy of the program record for receiving yards in a game.
Rashod Bateman is the 1st player in @GopherFootball history to reach 200 receiving yards in a @B1Gfootball game. He's the 2nd player in the program to reach 200 receiving yards in any game, joining Ryan Thelwell's 228 against Ball State in 1996. #Gophers
— BTNStatsGuys (@BTNStatsGuys) November 9, 2019
Bateman came into the day leading Minnesota in receiving and averaging more than 20 yards per reception. His lead will increase over his teammate, senior Tyler Johnson, who’s having a great day as well with six catches for 93 yards and a score. Bateman will also see his yards per catch average increase.
As a freshman, Bateman had 51 receptions for 704 yards and six touchdowns. With Saturday’s performance, he already has more yardage and touchdowns than last year through nine games.