Minnesota quarterback Cole Kramer had an incredibly intriguing story heading into the Quick Lane Bowl against Bowling Green. But it was his fiancée, Katie Miller, who ended up stealing the show.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers defeated the Bowling Green Falcons in the Quick Lane Bowl on Tuesday, 30-24. The game’s dominating performance came from Minnesota freshman Darius Taylor who returned from a leg injury and rumbled to a career-high 208 yards rushing and one touchdown.
But the broadcast on ESPN was undisputedly dominated by Katie Miller, the fiancée of Minnesota’s starting quarterback for the game, Cole Kramer.
The sports network’s cameras simply couldn’t get enough of Miller, who was featured so often that Taylor Swift’s agent would have been jealous.
The coverage was so persistent it prompted college football analyst Mike Golic Jr. to quip, “One thing about the Quicken Lane Bowl is you’re gonna know Cole Kramer and Katie Miller are getting married.”
Katie Miller Steals The Show At The Quick Lane Bowl
It’s no mystery as to why ESPN would want to focus their cameras on Katie Miller as opposed to the action in a lower-tier bowl game contested between two teams wallowing in mediocrity for much of the season.
Miller is, to put it bluntly, a smoke show who oozes Midwest charm. ESPN must have thought, ‘Why not keep panning to her in between plays and talking about her non-stop?’
So they did.
Kramer certainly understood the attention, telling People magazine, “I definitely was not expecting all of that coverage, but she is beautiful so I can’t blame them.”
Miller though, said any comparisons to her and Taylor Swift were a bit of a “reach” since her man’s team actually won on the field. Actually no, we made that last part up.
She did say it was a “reach” but “as someone who shed tears of joy getting to see Taylor at the Eras Tour earlier this year, I’ll take it.”
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Cole Kramer’s Story Is Pretty Incredible Too
During the Quick Lane Bowl, Katie was the talk of the town as ESPN couldn’t get enough of her. Her unwavering support for Kramer and her infectious smile made her a fan favorite.
Kramer’s story alone could have offered enough intrigue to keep football fans glued to the game. Prior to the bowl performance, Cole was ready to move on from college football and on to his new life with Miller.
But the wedding plans were put on hold.
Last month, the Gophers’ former starting quarterback, Athan Kaliakmanis, entered the NCAA transfer portal along with freshman quarterback Drew Viotto, leaving the team with only one walk-on at the position.
“We were out of quarterbacks,” coach P.J. Fleck told the Star Tribune.
As a result, the team asked Kramer to put his plans to move to Phoenix and marry his fiancée on hold, giving him his first and only career start in the Quick Lane Bowl.
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Kramer didn’t exactly light up the skies with his performance, completing only 50% of his passes for a mere 26 yards. Still, he managed to throw for 2 touchdowns and allowed RB Darius Taylor to dictate the offense.
Kramer even contributed 31 yards and 1 touchdown of his own on the ground.
Cole Kramer’s journey from backup quarterback to Quick Lane Bowl champion is one that will be remembered for years to come in Minnesota. It serves as an inspiration to anyone who has ever faced adversity or doubt.
Katie posted a note to Instagram followers after the game as the couple again looked to their personal future as husband and wife.
“By your side every step of the way,” she wrote.
“So incredibly proud of you and the strength and humility you’ve shown throughout this chapter of your life. I adore you #12… Now let’s get MARRIED!!!!”
