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University of Minnesota Athletics
FB: Running Diary from Today's Minnesota-Penn State Game
10/1/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
- Live Audio and Stats
1:29 p.m. - The Golden Gophers arrived at Beaver Stadium at 1:10 p.m. Since Minnesota is playing Penn State, you know that the temperature has to be in the 70s without a cloud in the sky. That's the case today with ideal conditions. One thing to look out for today is the field at Beaver Stadium. New sod has been put down since the Nittany Lions' last home game two weeks ago.
Minnesota enters the game with a four-game winning streak against Penn State, including two straight wins in Happy Valley. The Golden Gophers held on for a 20-14 win in 2003 and of course, pulled off a 24-23 upset of the second-ranked Nittany Lions on Nov. 6, 1999. Overall, the battle for the Governor's Victory Bell is all even at four games apiece.
If you are not familiar with the 1999 win, check out this article which describes the game as well as the impact on the Nittany Lion program.
1:42 p.m. - Looking back at Minnesota's last trip to Happy Valley, The Golden Gophers defeated the Lions, 20-14. Minnesota jumped ahead 14-0 in the first quarter, while the Lions cut the lead to 17-14 at halftime. Penn State made it inside the 20 on the final drive of the game, but Michael Robinson's fourth-down pass in the endzone fell incomplete.
Minnesota has seven starters from that game playing in today's contest. Laurence Maroney, Mark Setterstrom, Mike Nicholson and Greg Eslinger started in offense, while Trumaine Banks, Kyle McKenzie and Anthony Montgomery started on defense.
2:18 p.m. - The Golden Gopher special teams have hit the field for warmups, greeted warmly by the Nittany Lion student section.
Minnesota's placekicker has had a hand in each of the last three meetings in Happy Valley. In 1997, Adam Bailey tied a school record with five field goals in Minnesota's 16-15 loss to No. 1 Penn State. In 1999, Dan Nystrom connected on the last play of the game in the upset of the second-ranked Nittany Lions. Last year, Rhys Lloyd hit two field goals, including one late in the fourth quarter which put Minnesota up 20-14.
Redshirt freshman Jason Giannini was perfect in his only other outing on the road this season. He was 2-for -2 on field goals and 4-for-4 on PATs in the 41-10 win at Tulsa.
2:23 p.m. - You know it's a big game when the Goodyear Blimp makes an appearance.
2:59 p.m. - In keeping with tradition, Minnesota head coach Glen Mason has broken out the shirt and tie for today's game. Mason started the tradition in 1997 when his Golden Gophers first faced Joe Paterno and Penn State. While we're not sure if Coach Mason is superstitious, it does appear that the Maroon and Gold tie he's wearing today is the same tie he wore in 2003 when Minnesota beat Penn State, 20-14.
The two head coaches are meeting in the middle of the field while both teams warm up.
Beaver Stadium is the second-largest stadium in the nation after its seventh expansion project in 2001. The stadium holds 107, 282 fans, 219 less than Michigan stadium. As of this morning, there were still a few tickets available for today's game.
3:42 p.m. - Mark Setterstrom makes his 43rd straight start at guard. He was banged up in last week's victory. Greg Eslinger also makes his 43rd straight start.
3:44 p.m. - Laurence Maroney gets three touches on Minnesota's first drive, but the Penn State defense forced a three-and-out.
3:52 p.m. - Penn State takes its opening drive and puts seven on the board as standout freshman Derrick Williams scores on the option from 13 yards out. John Shevlin put a vicious hit on quarterback Michael Robinson, but Williams took the pitch and darted up the middle for the score. The Nittany Lions used nine plays to go 64 yards in 4:08.
For the first time this season, the Golden Gophers allowed points in the first quarter. They had outscored the opposition, 43-0, prior to today's game.
3:58 p.m. - After being held again without a first down, freshman Justin Kucek launches a 49-yard punt. He's already punted twice, the same number of kicks he had last week against Purdue and one more than he had against Florida Atlantic the previous week.
4:09 p.m. - The Penn State offense rolls again into Minnesota territory, but is unable to do anything with a first and 10 from the 16. Kevin Kelly converts a field goal from 29 yards out to make it 10-0.
4:11 p.m. - Jakari Wallace quickly gives Minnesota a lift with his 65 yard kickoff return. It's a career-long for the senior.
4:14 p.m. - Penn State's defense rises to the challenge again as Minnesota is forced to attempt a 51-yard field goal. Jason Giannini's kick is short.
4:27 p.m. - Defensive standout Brandon Owens is helped off the field after a vicious collision with Michael Robinson. With Terrance Campbell already sidelined, Dominque Barber takes over at strong safety.
4:31 p.m. - Maroney has five carries for eight yards so far in the first half. Last week against the nation's top-ranked rushing defense, he had 24 carries for 147 yards in the first half against Purdue. Maroney has rushed for a 100 yards in the first half of each of the first four games.
4:34 p.m. - Former Golden Gopher running back and current Philadephia Eagle Thomas Tapeh is spotted on the Minnesota sideline.
4:35 p.m. - Penn State freshman Derrick Williams adds another touchdown run from five yards out. It's the Nittany Lions' second-straight 13-play scoring drive.
4:45 p.m. - Minnesota's promising 10-play drive ends in the Golden Gopher's first turnover of the day. Penn State recovers the fumble inside their 40 yard line.
4:49 p.m. - Minnesota's defense holds after the turnover and forces Penn State to punt for the first time today. Unfortunately, that punt pins Minnesota at their own two- yard line.
4:58 p.m. - Kelly nails a 47-yard field goal to give Penn State a 20-0 lead with 3:07 to play in the half.
5:03 p.m. - On third and short at midfield, Cupito hits Ernie Wheelwright for a 48-yard touchdown pass. Minnesota cuts it to 20-7 with 1:43 to play in the half. It is the 23rd touchdown pass in Cupito's career which moves him into seventh place in school history.
5:13 p.m. - The first half ends with Kelly missing a 51-yard field goal attempt. Penn State had two timeouts and over 50 seconds to play at their own 34 yard line, but let nearly 20 seconds run off the clock inbetween first and second down. Kelly's field goal sailed wide left.
Bryan Cupito has gone 7-for-10 for 84 yards and a touchdown. He has also passed for three of Minnesota's four first downs.
5:55 p.m. - Penn State makes Minnesota pay for the turnover on downs. Hunt takes it in again as the Nittany Lions take a 34-7 lead.
6:07 p.m. - Another good punt by Kucek is followed by a 13-play, 74-yard scoring drive for Penn State capped off by a Kelly field goal. Penn State 37-7 with 2:33 to play in the third.
6:12 p.m. - Today's attendance - 106,604
6:27 p.m. - Jakari Wallace takes it in for the Golden Gophers from two yards out. It capped a 16-play, 73-yard drive. On second down from the one yard line, Gary Russell was dropped for a one yar loss. It's the first time this season that Russell was tackled for a loss. Minnesota trails 37-14 with 11:25 to play.
6:56 p.m. - Penn State 44 Minnesota 14 FINAL
