The University of Minnesota's beloved mascot, Goldy Gopher, has been on the run since making fun of a Penn State player who was praying before the start of Saturday's game.

Here's a video showing Goldy mimicking Penn State defensive end Jerome Hayes as the athlete prays in the end zone:

Hayes didn't seem to have a problem with it, pretty much acting as if the big-headed mascot didn't even exist. However, some folks out in State College, Pa., are plenty mad about the whole thing, prompting Minnesota to issue an apology.

Goldy's actions were "plainly a mistake," said Minnesota spokesman Dan Wolter.

I'll say. Penn State ended up winning, 20-0. That'll teach the Gophers to mess with a higher authority.

Goldy should just stick to tried and tested sideline antics. You know, something like this:

-- Austin Knoblauch