Ten minutes after Rhys Lloyd’s game-winning kick sailed through the Metrodome uprights for a dramatic 37-34 victory over Wisconsin on Saturday, Minnesota football players were still celebrating.

Fans clad in bright gold T-shirts in the Minnesota student section counted along as Goldy Gopher did 37 push-ups to signal the home team’s final score while players exchanged hugs and handshakes on the field.

Senior linebacker Ben West carried the reclaimed Paul Bunyan’s Axe into the tunnel. But it was backup quarterback Benji Kamrath – who was greeted by chants of “Ben-ji, Ben-ji” as he jogged into the locker room – who might now carry Minnesota’s hopes of a New Year’s Day bowl game.

While Minnesota coach Glen Mason said Sunday that starting quarterback Asad Abdul-Khaliq’s shoulder injury was not as serious as initially thought, Abdul-Khaliq is not expected to garner much practice time this week.

Kamrath, a fifth-year senior who played the entire second half against Wisconsin and passed for 93 yards after Abdul-Khaliq was injured, will take the majority of snaps during practice this week and is prepared to start the Gophers’ regular-season finale Saturday at No. 20 Iowa (7-3, 3-3 Big Ten).

In his first extensive action of the season other than in a mop-up role, Kamrath led the 19th-ranked Gophers on three second-half scoring drives, including an 11-play, 62-yard march in the final minutes to set up Lloyd’s game-winning kick.

“It didn’t surprise me how he performed,” said Mason, who has repeatedly referred to Kamrath as the team’s most improved player from a year ago. “He played great. He played exactly how I thought he would.”

Abdul-Khaliq is still holding out hope his non-throwing shoulder will heal enough for him to play against the Hawkeyes in what would be the final regular season game of his career.

But if not, Mason will not hesitate to start Kamrath in a game that could decide whether the Gophers achieve their goal of playing New Year’s Day.

Beating Iowa would give the Gophers (9-2, 5-2) their best conference record in 30 years and virtually guarantee them a spot in a Jan. 1 bowl.

Kamrath has been a career backup to Abdul-Khaliq in his time with Minnesota but has proved a capable replacement when he has been called on.

Last year against Northwestern, Kamrath threw two touchdown passes and led the Gophers to a 45-42 win when Abdul-Khaliq sat out with an ankle injury.

That was the only game Abdul-Khaliq missed because of injury in 2002. But he was hobbled by injuries all season and often sat out practices while Kamrath took snaps with the first-string offense.

“We went all last year without (Abdul-Khaliq) practicing at all,” Mason said. “We’re quite used to it.

“Benji’s capable of doing everything. Benji knows what’s going on and we always thought he was game-ready.”

The fact that Minnesota rushes the ball an average of 52 times per game for 304 yards certainly takes some pressure off the quarterback position, no matter who is playing under center.

But other than running the option, Mason and the Gophers feel Kamrath will be able to step in without missing a beat. His performance against Wisconsin only strengthened his case.

“We believe in Benji,” defensive tackle Darrell Reid said. “When Benji needs to make a play, he always seems to do it.”

Two Gophers honored

Minnesota freshman running back Laurence Maroney and junior kicker Rhys Lloyd were honored for their performances against Wisconsin by being named Big Ten offensive and special teams players of the week, respectively.

Maroney averaged nine yards per carry against the Badgers and rushed for 135 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown 56 seconds into the game.

It was his third straight 100-yard performance. Maroney, who is second on the team to Marion Barber III with 932 rushing yards and nine touchdowns this season, also averaged 19.2 yards on five kickoff returns Saturday.

Lloyd made all three of his field goal attempts against Wisconsin, including a game-winning 35-yarder as time expired. He also punted three times for 120 yards.

Lloyd has made 11 of 13 field goal attempts this season while also handling punting duties.

ESPN exposure

Saturday’s game against Iowa has been switched from ESPN2 to ESPN. The game is scheduled for an 11 a.m. kickoff at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.