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University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Edged by Iowa, 21-16
11/10/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
IOWA CITY, Iowa Freshman quarterback Adam Weber set single-season records for passing completions and total offense and the Minnesota defense played finest game of the year. But three first-half Iowa touchdowns were just enough as the Hawkeyes held off the Gophers’ 21-16 before 70,585 at Kinnick Stadium.
Joel Monroe connected on a career-long 54-yard field goal on the final play of the first half to make it 21-10 Hawkeyes at the break. The field goal, which tied for the fifth-longest in school history, placed the game’s momentum squarely toward the side of the Maroon and Gold as the Minnesota defense produce an inspired second-half effort.
The Gophers held Iowa to 296 yards of total offense for the game a season-low for a Minnesota opponent including just 68 yards in the second half and shut out the Hawkeyes over the final 30 minutes. The Gophers also collected three sacks on the game, including one by linebacker Mike Sherels that was one of a team-leading nine tackles on the day for the senior.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota offense was controlling the clock and clawing its way back into the contest. Weber, who passed for 190 yards and rushed for 70 more, connected with Eric Decker from 22 yards out with 1:38 to play to cap a 15-play, 96-yard drive that pulled the Gophers within five points.
But Minnesota’s 2-point conversion try fell incomplete and Iowa recovered the ensuing on-side kick before running out the final 98 seconds on the clock.
The Hawkeyes, who got 92 yards rushing from Albert Young and 157 passing yards from quarterback Jake Christensen, scored 14 quick points over the final 3:51 of the first quarter to take an early two-touchdown lead.
Iowa tight end Brandon Myers snagged a tipped 8-yard pass in the end zone to make it 7-0 Hawkeyes before Young put the finishing touches on a six-play, 63-yard dive with a 1-yard plunge that put Iowa up 14-0 with just 13 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Minnesota answered back with a 14-play, 63-yard dive of its own late in the second period to make it a one-score game. Freshman Duane Bennett, who finished the game with 49 yards rushing, had eight carries for 21 yards during the drive that was capped by a 1-yard run by Justin Valentine on 3rd-and-goal.
Iowa didn’t waste any time pushing its lead back to 14 points, however, as Young once again keyed a long Hawkeye scoring drive with a 12-yard touchdown run with 50 seconds remaining in the half.
It was the final points of the game scored by the Hawkeyes, who crossed midfield just once during the entire second half.
Minnesota returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 17, when the Gophers battle Wisconsin for Paul Bunyan’s Axe at the Metrodome.
Joel Monroe connected on a career-long 54-yard field goal on the final play of the first half to make it 21-10 Hawkeyes at the break. The field goal, which tied for the fifth-longest in school history, placed the game’s momentum squarely toward the side of the Maroon and Gold as the Minnesota defense produce an inspired second-half effort.
The Gophers held Iowa to 296 yards of total offense for the game a season-low for a Minnesota opponent including just 68 yards in the second half and shut out the Hawkeyes over the final 30 minutes. The Gophers also collected three sacks on the game, including one by linebacker Mike Sherels that was one of a team-leading nine tackles on the day for the senior.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota offense was controlling the clock and clawing its way back into the contest. Weber, who passed for 190 yards and rushed for 70 more, connected with Eric Decker from 22 yards out with 1:38 to play to cap a 15-play, 96-yard drive that pulled the Gophers within five points.
But Minnesota’s 2-point conversion try fell incomplete and Iowa recovered the ensuing on-side kick before running out the final 98 seconds on the clock.
The Hawkeyes, who got 92 yards rushing from Albert Young and 157 passing yards from quarterback Jake Christensen, scored 14 quick points over the final 3:51 of the first quarter to take an early two-touchdown lead.
Iowa tight end Brandon Myers snagged a tipped 8-yard pass in the end zone to make it 7-0 Hawkeyes before Young put the finishing touches on a six-play, 63-yard dive with a 1-yard plunge that put Iowa up 14-0 with just 13 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Minnesota answered back with a 14-play, 63-yard dive of its own late in the second period to make it a one-score game. Freshman Duane Bennett, who finished the game with 49 yards rushing, had eight carries for 21 yards during the drive that was capped by a 1-yard run by Justin Valentine on 3rd-and-goal.
Iowa didn’t waste any time pushing its lead back to 14 points, however, as Young once again keyed a long Hawkeye scoring drive with a 12-yard touchdown run with 50 seconds remaining in the half.
It was the final points of the game scored by the Hawkeyes, who crossed midfield just once during the entire second half.
Minnesota returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 17, when the Gophers battle Wisconsin for Paul Bunyan’s Axe at the Metrodome.
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