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University of Minnesota Athletics
FB: Gophers Beat Alabama in Music City Bowl
12/31/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Though the Alabama defense had not given up 100 yards to a single running back all season, both Marion Barber III (37 rushes, 187 yards, 1 TD) and Laurence Maroney (29 rushes, 105 yards) each tallied 100 yards in the same game for the fourth time this season.
But the Gophers had to play from behind as Alabama took an early 7-0 lead, capitalizing on a Marion Barber III fumble on the second play of the game. Spencer Pennington connected with Le'Ron McClain for a two-yard touchdown pass on the Crimson Tide's first offensive play less than a minute into the game.
On its second offensive possession, the Gophers mounted a drive into Alabama territory. But a Bryan Cupito pass intended for Paris Hamilton was intercepted by Alabama's Roman Harper. Then after an Alabama punt, Minnesota drove into the redzone. Facing a third-and- goal on the four-yard line, Barber threw an interception on a half- back option play.
The Gopher defense then capitalized on a turnover of its own. Anthony Montgomery rushed up the middle forcing a Pennington fumble that was picked up by Keith Lipka at the Alabama two- yard line. Lipka rolled into the endzone to knot the game at 7-7.
After recovering a second Alabama fumble near midfield, the Gophers drove 53 yards in nine plays, capped by a Barber touchdown run from five yards out. Minnesota scored the final three of its 17 unanswered points when Rhy Lloyd made a 27 yard field goal, extending to a 17-7 lead with 4:39 remaining in the second quarter.
Alabama narrowed the Gopher lead to three, scoring on a quick 10- play, 73 yard drive three minutes before the half. McClain scored his second touchdown from a yard out, making the Gopher advantage 17- 14 heading into intermission.
After an Alabama three-and-out to open the second half, Minnesota drove 68 yards in 11 plays, setting up a second Lloyd field goal from 24 yards out, adding three to the Gopher lead, 20-14.
The next Gophers scoring opportunity came with just over five minutes remaining in the game. Minnesota rushed the ball on 11 of 12 plays and drove to the Alabama 14-yard line setting up another field goal attempt by Lloyd. But his try from 31-yards out sailed wide- right.
After a Crimson Tide drive stalled, the Alabama punt pinned the Gophers deep in their own territory. The Gophers attempted three straight runs, then Gophers faced a punting situation at the Alabama 15-yard line. Leading by six points late in the fourth quarter, Minnesota elected to take a safety when Lloyd ran out of the endzone, trimming the Gopher lead to 20-16.
On the ensuing free kick, Alabama's Tyrone Prothro returned the ball inside Gopher territory. Three plays later the Crimson Tide had driven to the Minnesota 19. But there the Gopher defense stiffened and held on four straight plays, including a fourth-and-six to preserve the bowl victory. On the day, the Minnesota defense did not give up only third down conversion on Alabama's 11 attempts.
Barber's 187 rushing yards are a Music City Bowl record. He also moved past his father into fourth on the all-time Gopher rushing list (3,276 yards) and second on the rushing touchdowns list (35).
The Golden Gophers finished the season 7-5.
Game Notes
This is the first-ever meeting between Minnesota and Alabama.
This is the first time Glen Mason has played or coached against the Crimson Tide.
Minnesota owns a 5-5 overall record in bowl games.
The Golden Gophers have won 16 straight non-conference games, including bowl victories against Alabama, Oregon (2003) and Arkansas (2002). That is the longest streak since the team won 17 straight from 11/14/31 to 9/25/37.
Glen Mason has a 3-2 record in bowl games as head coach of the Golden Gophers. He has a 5-2 record during his overall head coaching career.
Minnesota has trailed at some point in eight straight bowl games. Last year, the Golden Gophers trailed Oregon, 30-28, in the Sun Bowl, but rebounded to claim a 31-30 victory.
Glen Mason has a 2-2 career record against teams from the Southeastern Conference.
Minnesota owns a 5-3 record all-time against teams from the SEC.
Minnesota set new school bowl records for rushing attempts and rushing yards.
Minnesota1s fourth quarter safety is the first by an opponent since Oct. 3, 2002 against Illinois. Punter Preston Gruening knocked the ball out of the end zone.
Junior Marion Barber III moved into fourth place all-time in career rushing yards with 3,276. He passed his father, Marion Barber (3,094, 1977-80), as well as Chris Darken (3,235, 1992-95) to take over third place all-time.
Barber moved past his father into second-place all-time with his 35th career rushing touchdown in the second quarter. Barber also moved into a sixth place tie on the single-season list with his 11th touchdown this year.
For the seventh game of the season, Minnesota had a 100-yard rusher in the first half (Barber - 100 yards on 21 carries).
Barber recorded his 14th career 100-yard rushing day. That total ranks third all-time. It was his fifth 100-yard effort of the season, good for 11th all-time.
Barber is the first running back all season to rush for more than 100 yards against the Alabama defense. LSU1s Joseph Addai had 99 yards on 12 carries earlier this season.
Barber set a Music City Bowl record for individual rushing yards with 187. The previous record of 162 was held by Mungroe (first name unknown) of Syracuse.
Laurence Maroney and Barber rushed for 100 yards in the same game for the fourth time this season (second straight game) and the eighth time in their careers.
Maroney recorded his 13th career 100-yard rushing game, good for fourth on the all-time list. His eight 100-yard efforts this season are a new school record.
Senior Darrell Reid moved into a tie for sixth place with his 7.5 sack this season in the first quarter. It was his 16th career sack.
Junior Mark Losli recorded his 14th career sack in the second quarter. He remains in fifth place all-time.
Keith Lipka1s fumble recovery for a touchdown in the first quarter was the first defensive touchdown for the Golden Gophers since John Pawielski returned a fumble 22 yards against Indiana last season (11/1/03).
Lipka recovered his second fumble of the season and the second of his career in the first quarter.
Minnesota1s defensive touchdown was its first-ever in bowl game history.
Anthony Montgomery forced his first fumble of his career in the first quarter. This year he has a forced fumble, a pass break-up, a fumble recovery and an interception from his nose guard position.
Minnesota rushed for more yards than any other Alabama opponent this season. The previous high was 211 yards by Arkansas on Sept. 25, 2004.
Back-up quarterback Adam Ernst saw his fourth game of action this season.
Senior Justin Fraley recovered his second career fumble in the first quarter. It was his fifth career forced fumble of his career and third of his season.
Minnesota is 6-0 this season when it leads at halftime.
Minnesota has rushed for 200 yards or more in 13 of the last 17 games.
Minnesota has scored 20 or more points in 35 of its last 40 games, dating back to 2001.
Minnesota has not been shut out since Nov. 22, 1997 when Iowa posted 31-0 victory. The string of 84 games is a school record.
