Minnesota vs Penn StateGovernor's Victory Bell
A bell two governors created in 1993 for Penn State's first Big Ten game, against a team it had never played.
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Start a pick'em contestHow the Governor's Victory Bell came to be
Penn State, long an independent, joined the Big Ten in 1993, and its first conference game was against Minnesota on September 4, 1993 at Beaver Stadium. The two schools had never played before.
To mark the occasion, Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson and Pennsylvania's acting Governor Mark Singel, standing in for Governor Robert Casey, created the Governor's Victory Bell as a traveling trophy.
Singel and Carlson unveiled an artist's rendering of the bell before kickoff of that first game, which Penn State won 38-20.
The bell gave Minnesota a fourth trophy rivalry, joining the Little Brown Jug, Floyd of Rosedale and Paul Bunyan's Axe.
The trophy itself. A metal bell carrying the Big Ten Conference medallion, hung in a wooden frame topped by a plaque with the state seals of Minnesota and Pennsylvania. Brass plates on the base hold the game scores.
Governor's Victory Bell history
- 1993
First meeting and Penn State's first Big Ten game, September 4 at Beaver Stadium: Penn State wins 38-20.
- 1997
After a two-year break (1995-96), No. 1 Penn State edges Minnesota 16-15 at Beaver Stadium.
- 1999
Minnesota wins the bell for the first time, upsetting second-ranked Penn State 24-23 in University Park.
- 2004
Minnesota completes its longest run in the series, four straight wins (1999, 2000, 2003, 2004).
- 2013
Minnesota beats Penn State 24-10 on November 9 for its first bell win since 2004, then accidentally breaks the trophy while celebrating.
- 2019
In the first meeting with both teams unbeaten, Minnesota beats Penn State 31-26 on November 9, sealed by Jordan Howden's end-zone interception with 1:01 left.
- 2024
Penn State wins 26-25 in Minneapolis on November 23, its second straight win in the series.
Recent results
| Season | Result | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Penn State Nittany Lions 26, Minnesota Golden Gophers 25 | Huntington Bank Stadium |
| 2022 | Penn State Nittany Lions 45, Minnesota Golden Gophers 17 | Beaver Stadium |
Governor's Victory Bell facts worth knowing
The trophy exists because the teams had never met before Penn State's Big Ten debut; the series starts in 1993.
Minnesota's players broke the bell in the postgame celebration of their 2013 win.
The teams do not play every year; they have met 17 times from 1993 through 2024 and did not play in 2025.
The 2019 win was Minnesota's first home win over a top-five team since it shut out No. 1 Michigan in 1977, and the crowd stormed the field.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Governor's Victory Bell?+
The Governor's Victory Bell is the trophy Minnesota and Penn State play for in college football, first awarded in 1993. A metal bell carrying the Big Ten Conference medallion, hung in a wooden frame topped by a plaque with the state seals of Minnesota and Pennsylvania. Brass plates on the base hold the game scores.
How did the Governor's Victory Bell come to be?+
Penn State, long an independent, joined the Big Ten in 1993, and its first conference game was against Minnesota on September 4, 1993 at Beaver Stadium. The two schools had never played before.
Who has the Governor's Victory Bell right now?+
Penn State holds the Governor's Victory Bell after winning the 2024 game, Penn State 26, Minnesota 25. The live block on this page updates as soon as the next meeting is played.
Who leads the Minnesota-Penn State series?+
Penn State leads the all-time series 11-6 as of the end of the 2025 season.
When is the next Governor's Victory Bell game?+
Minnesota Golden Gophers play at Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday, Nov 14, 2026 at Beaver Stadium. Odds and the community lean post on the matchup page as the game approaches.
Where can I bet on the Governor's Victory Bell game?+
You can bet Minnesota vs Penn State on BettorEdge, a peer-to-peer marketplace where you trade with other bettors rather than a sportsbook, so the price carries no built-in house vig. You can also run a free pick'em contest for the game with your group.
More college football
Records and the current holder are as of the end of the 2025 season; the next-game block and recent results update from ESPN.Sources: en.wikipedia.org, gophersports.com, gophersports.com, gophersports.com.
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