.png&width=42&height=42&type=webp)
University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Defeats North Dakota State 10-9
10/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Minnesota (3-5) blocked a field-goal as time expired on the way to a 10-9 win over North Dakota State (6-1) in front of 62,845 fans at the Metrodome on Saturday, Oct. 21.
In a defensive battle early on, neither team was able to find the end zone in the first half.
North Dakota State got on the board first with a 30-yard field goal by Shawn Bibeau on its first possession. After Jason Giannini missed what would have been a career-long 53-yard field goal attempt, the Bison took over at their own 35-yard line and drove 52 yards in 10 plays to take a 3-0 lead. The key to the drive was a second down pass play near midfield that was originally ruled a fumble. However, the play was overturned after further review and ruled an incomplete pass, giving the ball back to NDSU, which proceeded to score seven plays later.
After Minnesota went three-and-out on its second drive, the Bison threatened again. Travis White returned Justin Kucek’s punt 38 yards into Gopher territory and NDSU quickly drove into the red zone. Jamal Harris dashed their hopes, however, with his third interception of the season. On a first-and-15 play, Steve Walker’s pass was tipped at the line and Harris came down with the jump ball to give the ball back to the Gophers.
Logan Payne became the 20th member of Minnesota’s 1,000-yard receiving club with his 15-yard catch on the ensuing drive, but the Gopher offense was unable to get much else going and was forced to punt for the second time in a row. The Gophers quickly got the ball back when NDSU’s White fumbled the punt return, giving Minnesota a short field at the 18-yard line. Four plays later, Giannini tied the score at three apiece with a 30-yard field goal.
After a 39-yard kickoff return by NDSU's John Majeski, the Bison again started their possession near midfield. They quickly proceeded to drive into the red zone again and on a third down play from inside the 10, NDSU appeared as if they would take a 10-3 lead when Walker found Kole Heckendorf in the end zone. A 15-yard personal foul penalty for tripping nullified the play however, and the Bison were forced to settle for another Bibeau field goal. This time it was from 39 yards out to give NDSU a 6-3 lead, which is where the score stood at halftime.
The Bison came out in the second half looking to extend their lead. NDSU running back Kyle Steffes had a 25-yard run to move the ball into Minnesota territory, and a 19-yard catch by White on a third-down play gave the Bison a first-and-goal inside the five. The Gopher defense stiffened, and Bibeau’s 21-yard field goal bounced off the left upright, keeping it at a three-point game.
Minnesota’s offense got rolling early in the final stanza and scored the first touchdown of the game with 10:36 remaining. The Gophers drove 65 yards in 10 plays, capped by a five-yard Amir Pinnix touchdown run to give Minnesota its first lead of the game at 10-6. A career-long 33-yard reception by Mike Chambers moved the Gophers into the red zone, and a key two-yard run by Justin Valentine on fourth-down gave Minnesota a first-and-goal at the five to set up Pinnix’s score.
NDSU pulled within one on a 41-yard field goal by Bibeau with 5:32 remaining, and after a Gopher punt, the Bison took over at their own 16 with 2:21 left in the ball game. NDSU drove to the Minnesota 25-yard line to set up a 42-yard field goal attempt by Bibeau. The Gopher line surged through and blocked Bibeau’s kick to give Minnesota the 10-9 victory.
Pinnix led the Golden Gophers with 97 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. Cupito finished with 150 yards on 14-for-24 for the game. Spaeth also had 49 yards on six receptions for the game.
Minnesota will be back in action on Saturday Oct. 28 at 2:30 p.m. when it travels to Columbus to face No. 1 Ohio State. That game will be on broadcast on ABC.
In a defensive battle early on, neither team was able to find the end zone in the first half.
North Dakota State got on the board first with a 30-yard field goal by Shawn Bibeau on its first possession. After Jason Giannini missed what would have been a career-long 53-yard field goal attempt, the Bison took over at their own 35-yard line and drove 52 yards in 10 plays to take a 3-0 lead. The key to the drive was a second down pass play near midfield that was originally ruled a fumble. However, the play was overturned after further review and ruled an incomplete pass, giving the ball back to NDSU, which proceeded to score seven plays later.
After Minnesota went three-and-out on its second drive, the Bison threatened again. Travis White returned Justin Kucek’s punt 38 yards into Gopher territory and NDSU quickly drove into the red zone. Jamal Harris dashed their hopes, however, with his third interception of the season. On a first-and-15 play, Steve Walker’s pass was tipped at the line and Harris came down with the jump ball to give the ball back to the Gophers.
Logan Payne became the 20th member of Minnesota’s 1,000-yard receiving club with his 15-yard catch on the ensuing drive, but the Gopher offense was unable to get much else going and was forced to punt for the second time in a row. The Gophers quickly got the ball back when NDSU’s White fumbled the punt return, giving Minnesota a short field at the 18-yard line. Four plays later, Giannini tied the score at three apiece with a 30-yard field goal.
After a 39-yard kickoff return by NDSU's John Majeski, the Bison again started their possession near midfield. They quickly proceeded to drive into the red zone again and on a third down play from inside the 10, NDSU appeared as if they would take a 10-3 lead when Walker found Kole Heckendorf in the end zone. A 15-yard personal foul penalty for tripping nullified the play however, and the Bison were forced to settle for another Bibeau field goal. This time it was from 39 yards out to give NDSU a 6-3 lead, which is where the score stood at halftime.
The Bison came out in the second half looking to extend their lead. NDSU running back Kyle Steffes had a 25-yard run to move the ball into Minnesota territory, and a 19-yard catch by White on a third-down play gave the Bison a first-and-goal inside the five. The Gopher defense stiffened, and Bibeau’s 21-yard field goal bounced off the left upright, keeping it at a three-point game.
Minnesota’s offense got rolling early in the final stanza and scored the first touchdown of the game with 10:36 remaining. The Gophers drove 65 yards in 10 plays, capped by a five-yard Amir Pinnix touchdown run to give Minnesota its first lead of the game at 10-6. A career-long 33-yard reception by Mike Chambers moved the Gophers into the red zone, and a key two-yard run by Justin Valentine on fourth-down gave Minnesota a first-and-goal at the five to set up Pinnix’s score.
NDSU pulled within one on a 41-yard field goal by Bibeau with 5:32 remaining, and after a Gopher punt, the Bison took over at their own 16 with 2:21 left in the ball game. NDSU drove to the Minnesota 25-yard line to set up a 42-yard field goal attempt by Bibeau. The Gopher line surged through and blocked Bibeau’s kick to give Minnesota the 10-9 victory.
Pinnix led the Golden Gophers with 97 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. Cupito finished with 150 yards on 14-for-24 for the game. Spaeth also had 49 yards on six receptions for the game.
Minnesota will be back in action on Saturday Oct. 28 at 2:30 p.m. when it travels to Columbus to face No. 1 Ohio State. That game will be on broadcast on ABC.
Players Mentioned
WR
/ FootballK
/ FootballCB
/ FootballP
/ FootballWR
/ FootballRB
/ FootballFB
/ FootballGopher Football at the Barn
Wednesday, February 18
Speed is Strength | Winter Workouts
Tuesday, February 17
Winter Workouts Week Two
Monday, February 09
Winter Workouts Begin
Monday, February 02