University of Minnesota Athletics

GOLDEN GOPHERS DOWN MICHIGAN STATE 28-19

10/20/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football

On the strength of a pair of 100-yard rushers, Minnesota earned its first Big Ten vicory during a 28-19 triumph over Michgan State in front of a Homecoming crowd of 47,385 today at the Metrodome.

Freshman Marion Barber III ran for 155 yards on 14 carries and a pair of touchdowns of 40 and 39 yards for the Golden Gophers (2-4, 1-4 Big Ten). Junior Tellis Redmon added 126 yards on 22 carries and a score.

After spotting the Spartans (3-2, 1-2) a 7-0 lead, Minnesota came roaring back with an 81 yard drive that took just 58 seconds, capped by Barber's 40 yard touchdown.

All-America candidate Ron Johnson caught his 26th career receiving touchdown, extending his school-record, to put the Gophers ahead 14-10 with 7:58 to go in the second quarter. Johnson is now tied with D'Wayne Bates (Northwestern, 1995-98) for ninth all-time on the Big Ten career touchdown receiving list.

After falling behind 17-14 in the third quarter, the Gophers scored 14 unanswered fourth quarter points to claim the victory. The first score was a six-yard touchdown by Redmon, followed by Barber's 39 yard score with 3:31 to play.

The Gopher defense was tremendous holding the Spartans to a mere 121 yards rushing, 28 in the second half. MSU's all-conference running back T.J. Duckett managed just 16 yards on seven rushes through two quarters, but did finish with 81 yards.

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