By Liz Alper

Photo:  redshirt junior Adekunle Ayinde is congratulated coming off the field after his fourth quarter interception.  Via @GopherFootball on Twitter

December 27, 2016 (San Diego) - University of Minnesota football players showed up to play in this year’s National Funding Holiday Bowl.  However, 10 of them did not.  Ten Golden Gopher football players were suspended for an alleged sexual assault that happened in September.  The team boycotted practice on December 15 and a petition that reach over 1,200 signatures was filed against Golden Gophers head coach Tracy Claeys, calling for his firing after how he handled the boycott and the situation with his players.

Alas, the Gophers showed up to play against the Cougars on Tuesday and San Diego had another bowl game on their hands.