University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota - North Dakota State Postgame Notes
10/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Minnesota
- Today's game was Tim Brewster's eighth as a collegiate head coach and fifth at home. It was his fourth non-conference game and first against a Division I FCS opponent.
- Before Saturday, the Bison and Gophers met last on Oct. 21, with
- Today's game was the seventh match-up between the two programs.
- The last time
- The Gophers are the second Big Ten team to lose to an FCS team in 2007 (Appalachian State beat No. 5 Michigan 34-32 Sept. 1). The Division I subdivisions (1-A and 1-AA) were created in 1978.
- The Gophers have outscored the Bison 206-68 in the all-time series. The neighboring state rivalry began in 1903.
- The Golden Gophers have suffered just three non-league setbacks at the Metrodome since the start of the 2000 season and are 15-2 in their last 17 contests against non-league opponents at home. They are 29-5 against non-conference opponents in the Twin Cities since 1993.
- The Golden Gophers now hold an all-time record 627-446-44. The 2007 campaign marks the 124th season of
- Saturday's announced attendance of 63,088 was the team's highest at the Metrodome this season and the most since 64, 140 saw the Gophers beat
- With just one sack surrendered Saturday,
- The Gophers have at least one rushing touchdown in 56 of their past 62 games.
- With 307 yards of total offense against the Bison, the Gophers have gained more than
- The Gophers' opening touchdown drive (1:02) was their fastest opening scoring drive of the year.
- The 266 rushing yards
- With another passing touchdown vs. the Bison Saturday, freshman QB Adam Weber now has 19 for the 2007 season. He is just four touchdowns away from breaking Bryan Cupito's single-season mark, set last year. Weber's 19 TD passes is already the third-highest single-season total in Gopher history. Bryan Cupito (2005) and Asad Abdul-Kaliq (2002) also had 19 in a season.
- With 162 total passing yards, Weber tied Mike Hohensee as the fastest quarterback in Gopher history to eclipse 2,000 yards passing in a single season. Hohensee also accomplished the feat in eight games in 1982. A third quarter pass (for four yards) to Ernie Wheelwright put Weber over the 2,000-yard mark and he now has 2,046 on the season.
- Weber now has 2,046 passing yards this season (14th all-time), 310 pass attempts (eighth all-time) and 181 completions (eighth all-time)
- With 212 yards of total offense Saturday, Weber has 2,507 this season. That's already the sixth highest single season total in Gopher history.
- Weber has now thrown a touchdown pass in the first eight games of his Gopher career. He already holds the Gopher freshman marks for touchdowns (19), completions (181) and passing yards (2,046).
- Amir Pinnix's second quarter touchdown scamper in the second quarter was his team-leading fifth of the 2007 season and the 18th of his career. Pinnix now now tied with Gary Russell and Sandy Stephen for 15th on the program's all-time leaderboard.
- Pinnix also collected 39 rushing yards Saturday, giving him 2,440 for his career. He needs just 42 to move past Tellis Redmon and into seventh place on
- Eric Decker recorded four catches for 47 yards Saturday. He now needs just 10 catches and 474 yards to break the team's all-time single season marks. He currently ranks 12th in career receptions (53) and 15th in receiving yardage 651.
- With his first quarter 20-yard touchdown pass to Ralph Spry, Decker is now 2-2 lifetime passing for 42 yards and a touchdown. It also marked the first time this season someone other than Adam Weber has thrown a pass.
- The opening drive touchdown was the second of Spry's season and career.
- Duane Bennett's 35-yard reception in the third quarter was a career-long for the freshman. He collected a career-high 102 total offensive yards (71 receiving, 31 rushing) Saturday, including his first career receiving touchdown (a 22-yard strike in the third quarter).
- Wheelwright has now collected catches in 41 of 45 career games and has 131 during his time as a Golden Gopher. Saturday marked the first time in six games Wheelwright did not have at least five catches.
- Wheelwright is now fifth all-time on the Gopher leaderboard, moving past Omar Douglass and just one reception behind Luke Leverson and Chuck Rios for fourth place.
His 2,154 career receiving yards puts him 78 behind Ryan Thewell for third all-time.
- Kevin Mannion forced a fumble in the second quarter. It was the first forced fumble of his career.
- Garrett Brown's third quarter sack was the first of his career and the sixth of the season for
- Marcus Sherels' 37-yard kickoff return was a career-long. He also had a 35-yard return last week at Northwestern. It was the Gophers' ninth kickoff return of over 30 yards this season.
- Linebacker Deon Hightower had 13 tackles Saturday, the second straight week (and third time this year) he has been in double digits. Hightower had 10 total tackles at Northwestern and 10 vs.
- Dom Barber's hot start has him poised to earn All-Big Ten honors. He had 11 tackles Saturday, giving him a team-high 73 for the season. Barber entered the game ranked fifth in the Big Ten in stops and needs just 63 to set a new career high.
- Barber's second quarter fumble recovery was his second straight week accomplishing the feat. He now has a team-high two fumble recoveries this season and three for his career.
Players Mentioned
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/ FootballFleck Postgame Locker Room
Thursday, November 06
Cinematic Recap: Gophers Beat Spartans
Wednesday, November 05
Coach Fleck Postgame Interview
Sunday, November 02
Highlights: Gophers 23, Michigan State 20
Saturday, November 01