University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Football Runs Over Michigan State, 28-7
10/19/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Michigan State scored the first points of the game on its initial drive, but it was all Maroon and Gold from there. Minnesota used a 15-point third quarter to win at MSU for the first time since 1976. It was also Minnesota's first Big Ten road win since downing No. 6 Ohio State during the 2000 season.
The game's first drive began with a Justin Isom interception of MSU quarterback Jeff Smoker that was called back on a roughing the passer penalty on the Golden Gophers. On the very next play, Smoker connected with Charles Rogers for 52 yards to the UM 1-yard line. David Richard then put the Spartans on top with a one-yard run.
After two fruitless drives, Minnesota put together a six-play, 96- yard drive to tie the game at seven. Quarterback Asad Abdul-Khaliq threw a 45-yard strike to Aaron Hosack who out-jumped the MSU cornerback for the touchdown. After forcing Michigan State to punt on the next drive, the Golden Gophers drove into MSU territory, culminating with a 44-yard Dan Nystrom field goal to go ahead 10-7.
Minnesota saw a scoring opportunity fall on its next drive as Tapeh fumbled after a 56-yard rush by Jackson had the Golden Gophers on the MSU 13-yard line. The Maroon and Gold recovered a Spartan fumble on the next drive as linebacker Ben West caused and recovered a fumble on a MSU reverse. The enusing UM drive ended in another turnover as Abdul-Khaliq gave up an interception to Jason Harmon on the MSU 12-yard line.
The Minnesota defense stood tall once again and forced a poor Spartan punt to set up the final Gopher drive of the half. Nystrom made the score 13-7 with his 22-yard field goal with one minute remaining. For the half, Jackson rushed 18 times for 169 yards to help Minnesota out-gain Michigan State 294-185.
The third quarter belonged to the Golden Gophers, beginning with a 12-play, 79-yard drive that took 5:24 off the clock. Minnesota methodically ran the ball down the field to set up a 27-yard Abdul- Khaliq to Tony Patterson touchdown. Patterson made a nifty over-the- shoulder catch in the front corner of the end zone to score. Minnesota added two points with a pass from Abdul-Khaliq to Antoine Burns to make the score 21-7.
Minnesota shut down the MSU offense and added its final score of the game on its next drive. The Golden Gophers went 80 yards on 10 plays, culminating with a four-yard touchdown run by Tapeh. The drive took 4:09 and put the game away at 28-7.
The Spartans attempted a late comeback, but the Minnesota defense prevailed, highlighted by Isom's interception at the goal line and his 53-yard return to the MSU 45. The fun continued on Minnesota's last drive as the Golden Gophers converted a fake punt with Tapeh rushing to the 15-yard line and a first down to seal the game.
Jackson became only the fourth Golden Gopher in school history to post two games with 200-plus yards on the ground. Jackson and Tapeh ran for over 100 yards apiece in the last two wins over Illinois and Northwestern, marking the first time in school history that two players ran for 100 yards in back-to-back-to-back games.
West led the Minnesota defensive effort with seven tackles while defensive end Charlton added his team-leading seventh sack of the season.
The Golden Gophers have a bye next week before heading to fourth- ranked Ohio State on Saturday, Nov. 2.
