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University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota's Offense Explodes and Defense Shuts Out Temple
9/16/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
The University of Minnesota football team (2-1) opened their home schedule with a 62-0 drubbing of Temple (0-3) at the Metrodome on Saturday. Minnesota scored on all seven of its first half possessions, jumping out to a 45-0 lead at the break. The Gophers dominated in all aspects of the game, amassing 448 yards and forcing three Temple turnovers, while holding the Owls to just 157 yards in the shutout.
The passing combination of Bryan Cupito to Logan Payne accounted for four of Minnesota’s touchdowns, all in the first half. Cupito connected with Payne on TD passes of 25, two, and 10 yards in the first quarter and a 67-yard strike in the second stanza. The rout began early, as the Gophers defense forced turnovers on the first two Temple possessions and held the Owls to just 89 first half yards.
Dominique Barber picked off an Adam DiMichele pass on the Owls initial possession, setting up the Gophers offense inside Temple territory. Four plays later, Cupito found Payne for a 25-yards touchdown, giving Minnesota the early 7-0 lead.
The Gopher defense forced another Temple turnover on its next possession when DiMichele dropped back to pass on a third-and-ten. He was quickly met by Eric Clark and Steve Davis in the backfield. DiMichele then put the ball on the ground and Willie VanDeSteeg pounced on it at the Temple nine-yard line.
With another short field, the Gophers attempted three running plays, but were unable to punch it in the end zone. With fourth-and-goal from the two, Cupito again found Payne all alone in the end zone for his second touchdown catch of the game.
On Temple’s next possession, a high snap on fourth down sent Owls’ punter Jake Brownell scrambling. Minnesota’s Jay Thomas ran down Brownell, tackling him at the 12-yard line, giving the Gophers another golden opportunity.
Minnesota quickly converted it into points when Cupito connected with Payne for the third time, putting Minnesota up 21-0.
For the first time in the game, Minnesota mounted a drive from its own territory on its next possession. The Gophers marched 66 yards in four plays, capped by an Amir Pinnix 20-yard touchdown run, propelling the Maroon and Gold to a 28-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Owls advanced into Minnesota territory for the first time in the ball game at the start of the second quarter, moving to the Gophers’ 20-yard line. The Gophers defense forced a 36-yard field goal attempt, which kicker Danny Murphy missed wide left to keep the shutout intact.
The Gophers took over and marched efficiently down the field for their fifth touchdown in as many possessions. Minnesota drove 80 yards in nine plays, capped by an Alex Daniels touchdown from nine yards out to put the Gophers ahead, 35-0.
After forcing Temple to punt on its next possession, Cupito went deep to Payne for the fourth touchdown strike of the game, giving Minnesota a 42-0 advantage.
Minnesota’s defense forced Temple into a three-and-out on its next possession and the Gophers marched 41 yards in five plays resulting in a Jason Giannini’s 33-yard field goal to put the Gophers ahead 45-0 at the half.
The Gophers scored three times in the second half. Tony Mortensen led Minnesota on a seven play, 20-yard drive capped by a four-yard QB keeper. Terrence Sherrer scored the first touchdown of his career with 9:28 left in the game. Giannini closed out the scoring with a 41-yard field goal with just over three minutes remaining.
The Gophers open the Big Ten schedule next Saturday, Sept. 23 at West Lafayette, Ind. to face Purdue.
