University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Fall 42-39 at Florida Atlantic
9/15/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
MIAMI Adam Weber passed for 335 yards and four touchdowns and Eric Decker hauled in a career-high 12 passes for 165 yards, but Minnesota couldn’t overcome seven turnovers in a 42-39 setback to Florida Atlantic at Dolphin Stadium.
The Gophers trailed 35-14 at halftime before roaring to life in the second half. Minnesota outscored Florida Atlantic 25-7 after the break and pulled within a field goal when Weber connected with Ernie Wheelwright from eight yards out to get the Gophers within three points with 3:20 to play.
Minnesota held the Owls on the ensuing possession and marched from its own 25-yard-line to the Florida Atlantic 47 in an attempt to get a shot at a game-tying field goal. But FAU’s Tavious Polo intercepted a Weber’s pass for Wheelwright at the Owls 36 to close the door on the Gophers’ comeback bid.
It was the third interception of the game by Polo and one of four thrown by Weber on the day. The Gophers also lost three fumbles, including one by Amir Pinnix on 1st-and-goal at the FAU 1-yard-line late in the first half.
Despite the miscue, Pinnix produced another solid day and just missed posting his sixth straight 100-yard rushing performance, finishing the game with 92 yards on 16 carries to lead Minnesota’s ground attack
Rusty Smith paced the Owls offense, throwing for 463 yards and five touchdowns on 27-for-44 passing. Willie Rose caught two TD passes and Jason Harmon and Cortez Gent each totaled over 100 receiving yards for Florida Atlantic.
FAU took the opening kickoff and marched 69 yards on seven plays with Rose hauling in a 2-yard pass from Smith for an early 7-0 Owl lead.
The Gophers knotted the game on the ensuing kickoff as Jay Thomas scooted 91-yards to make it 7-7.
Florida Atlantic answered on its next possession as Smith guide the Owls 90 yards and connected with Rose on a 9-yard pass for a 14-7 edge.
A 23-yard pass from Weber to Decker retied the game at 14-14 before FAU reeled off three straight scores, two coming after Gopher fumbles, to take a 21-point lead into the locker room at intermission.
A 21-yard Joel Monroe field goal and a 6-yard touchdown pass from Weber to Tray Herndon made it 35-24 with 3:38 to go in the third quarter and the Gophers’ rally appeared to be in full swing.
After another stop by the Minnesota defense, Weber marched the Gophers to the FAU 28 but he was picked off by Frantz Joseph at the 13-yard-line to snuff out the drive.
Nine plays later, Smith hit Conshario Johnson from 16 yards out to push the Owls advantage to 42-24 before Weber and Wheelwright hooked up for two late touchdowns to set the scene for the game’s frantic finish.
