University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Defeated By Purdue in Big Ten Opener
9/23/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Minnesota spotted Purdue a 21-point halftime lead and despite scoring 28 second-half points dropped the Big Ten season opener by a 45-31 count at the HHH Metrodome in Minneapolis on Saturday.
The Golden Gophers (1-3, 0-1 Big Ten) scored on four consecutive possessions after halftime, but were unable to cut into a 24-3 deficit after two quarters. Purdue (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) matched Minnesota’s second-half offensive flurry scoring on its first three third-quarter possessions to guard its lead.
The teams combined for over 600 yards of total offense in the second half. Purdue finished the game with 504 total yards, 338 coming from the arm of senior quarterback Curtis Painter. Minnesota collected 469 total yards featuring a balanced attack 237 yards passing and 232 yards rushing. Four different Gophers Duane Bennett, Jay Thomas, Eric Decker and Adam Weber accounted for touchdowns, marking the third time in the four games this season Minnesota has had this occur.
The Purdue defense finally stopped a Minnesota drive with four minutes to play in the game. The Gophers got the ball back one more time but was unable to dent the Boiler lead further.
A look at the halftime stat sheet would be somewhat misleading. Purdue’s potent offense had 222 yards of total offense, while Minnesota had compiled 126. Still the Boilermakers led 24-3 at intermission.
In a game that was expected to be a challenge to the Minnesota defense, the Gopher special teams and offense gave up touchdowns aiding the Boilermakers to their surmountable halftime advantage. Realistically, the defense only allowed one long Purdue drive, 87 yards, for a score in the first quarter.
Purdue grabbed the momentum quickly, jolting the Gophers on a return of the opening kickoff for a touchdown. The Gophers chose to kick away from the nation’s leading kickoff returner, Purdue’s Dorien Bryant (averaging 46.5 yards per return), and Desmond Tardy made the most of the opportunity, catching the ball near the left hash mark and darting through the Gopher defenders for a 95-yard TD.
The Gopher offense managed just one first down in its second possessions, yet accomplished to better the field position game. Justin Kucek’s 42-yard punt and a Purdue holding penalty pushed the ball back to the Boilers’ 13-yard line.
The Boilermakers efficiently marched down the field on a 13-play, 87-yard scoring drive to increase their lead to 14-0. Senior quarterback Curtis Painter connected on 9-of-10 pass attempt, the final one a 16-yard scoring strike to Kory Sheets.
The first of four first-half turnovers provided the Boilers with another scoring opportunity. Adam Weber fumbled on a run and Purdue recovered at the Minnesota 10 yard line. The Gopher defense stood tough, forcing a field goal, a Chris Summers 24 yarder to make it 17-0.
Minnesota freshman Harold Howell provided a spark on the ensuing kickoff, returning the kick 27 yards to the 41, just getting tripped up halting a bigger return. Three consecutive plays of over 10 yards, including a 16-yard scamper by Amir Pinnix, gave the Gophers’ a first-and-10 at the Purdue 19. Unfortunately the drive stalled, but Joel Monroe split the uprights on a 34-yard field goal to get the Gophers on the board at 17-3. The score held at the end of the first quarter.
The first play of the second quarter was a critical swing. Minnesota had driven into Purdue territory and was wining the battle of field position. On a third and 8, Weber pass was intercepted by defensive end Cliff Avril, who rambled 43 yards for the score giving Purdue a 24-3 lead.
Neither team would score as the clock ticked to halftime with Purdue leading 24-3. Minnesota, however, had its chances and came up empty. On a first-down play from the Purdue 26-yard line, Pinnix ran off right tackle and lost a fumble. Then, on a dramatic play in the last minute of the half, the Gophers most exciting play of the game ended in disappointing fashion. Mike Sherels had blocked a Summers’ field goal, Jamal Harris picked up the ball at the Minnesota 46-yard line and was sprinting in for a touchdown. Harris lost the handle on the ball at the Purdue 25 and the Boilers recovered. The Gophers went into the lockerroom down 24-3.
The third quarter saw both offenses gobbled up the yardage and exchanging touchdowns. Minnesota struck first, taking the kickoff to begin the quarter and four plays later scoring on a 4-yard run by freshman Duane Bennett, his first collegiate touchdown. Bennett set up his scoring run with a 44-yard run during the drive.
Purdue answered with a 80-yard drive, culminating with a Painter to Dorien touchdown pass of 4 yards.
Minnesota closed to within 31-17 when Jay Thomas dove over the middle for a 1-yard touchdown. Decker grabbed a pair of first-down catches of 15 and 21 yards to highlight the drive.
The Boilers once again matched the Gophers’ touchdown, this time taking 10 plays to cover 90 yards for their longest scoring drive of the game. A Painter to Lymon Selwyn kept the drive alive on a key third-down reception down to the Gopher 29. Four plays later, Sheets found paydirt on a 3-yard run to return the Purdue advantage to 21 points at 38-17.
The Gophers’ started the fourth quarter by looking to their leading receiver on a big fourth down play. Weber connected with Decker on a post route for a 15-yard touchdown. Decker, who finished with seven catches for 79 yards, has now caught a TD pass in the last three games.
Painter also relied on his top receiver to make a big play in Purdue’s final scoring drive of the game. Dorien pulled in a 16 yard pass to give the Boilers’ a 45-24 lead with 12:53 remaining.
Weber pushed the ball over the goal line from two yards out to score for the Gophers’ final touchdown with 8:50 left.
The Golden Gophers (1-3, 0-1 Big Ten) scored on four consecutive possessions after halftime, but were unable to cut into a 24-3 deficit after two quarters. Purdue (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) matched Minnesota’s second-half offensive flurry scoring on its first three third-quarter possessions to guard its lead.
The teams combined for over 600 yards of total offense in the second half. Purdue finished the game with 504 total yards, 338 coming from the arm of senior quarterback Curtis Painter. Minnesota collected 469 total yards featuring a balanced attack 237 yards passing and 232 yards rushing. Four different Gophers Duane Bennett, Jay Thomas, Eric Decker and Adam Weber accounted for touchdowns, marking the third time in the four games this season Minnesota has had this occur.
The Purdue defense finally stopped a Minnesota drive with four minutes to play in the game. The Gophers got the ball back one more time but was unable to dent the Boiler lead further.
A look at the halftime stat sheet would be somewhat misleading. Purdue’s potent offense had 222 yards of total offense, while Minnesota had compiled 126. Still the Boilermakers led 24-3 at intermission.
In a game that was expected to be a challenge to the Minnesota defense, the Gopher special teams and offense gave up touchdowns aiding the Boilermakers to their surmountable halftime advantage. Realistically, the defense only allowed one long Purdue drive, 87 yards, for a score in the first quarter.
Purdue grabbed the momentum quickly, jolting the Gophers on a return of the opening kickoff for a touchdown. The Gophers chose to kick away from the nation’s leading kickoff returner, Purdue’s Dorien Bryant (averaging 46.5 yards per return), and Desmond Tardy made the most of the opportunity, catching the ball near the left hash mark and darting through the Gopher defenders for a 95-yard TD.
The Gopher offense managed just one first down in its second possessions, yet accomplished to better the field position game. Justin Kucek’s 42-yard punt and a Purdue holding penalty pushed the ball back to the Boilers’ 13-yard line.
The Boilermakers efficiently marched down the field on a 13-play, 87-yard scoring drive to increase their lead to 14-0. Senior quarterback Curtis Painter connected on 9-of-10 pass attempt, the final one a 16-yard scoring strike to Kory Sheets.
The first of four first-half turnovers provided the Boilers with another scoring opportunity. Adam Weber fumbled on a run and Purdue recovered at the Minnesota 10 yard line. The Gopher defense stood tough, forcing a field goal, a Chris Summers 24 yarder to make it 17-0.
Minnesota freshman Harold Howell provided a spark on the ensuing kickoff, returning the kick 27 yards to the 41, just getting tripped up halting a bigger return. Three consecutive plays of over 10 yards, including a 16-yard scamper by Amir Pinnix, gave the Gophers’ a first-and-10 at the Purdue 19. Unfortunately the drive stalled, but Joel Monroe split the uprights on a 34-yard field goal to get the Gophers on the board at 17-3. The score held at the end of the first quarter.
The first play of the second quarter was a critical swing. Minnesota had driven into Purdue territory and was wining the battle of field position. On a third and 8, Weber pass was intercepted by defensive end Cliff Avril, who rambled 43 yards for the score giving Purdue a 24-3 lead.
Neither team would score as the clock ticked to halftime with Purdue leading 24-3. Minnesota, however, had its chances and came up empty. On a first-down play from the Purdue 26-yard line, Pinnix ran off right tackle and lost a fumble. Then, on a dramatic play in the last minute of the half, the Gophers most exciting play of the game ended in disappointing fashion. Mike Sherels had blocked a Summers’ field goal, Jamal Harris picked up the ball at the Minnesota 46-yard line and was sprinting in for a touchdown. Harris lost the handle on the ball at the Purdue 25 and the Boilers recovered. The Gophers went into the lockerroom down 24-3.
The third quarter saw both offenses gobbled up the yardage and exchanging touchdowns. Minnesota struck first, taking the kickoff to begin the quarter and four plays later scoring on a 4-yard run by freshman Duane Bennett, his first collegiate touchdown. Bennett set up his scoring run with a 44-yard run during the drive.
Purdue answered with a 80-yard drive, culminating with a Painter to Dorien touchdown pass of 4 yards.
Minnesota closed to within 31-17 when Jay Thomas dove over the middle for a 1-yard touchdown. Decker grabbed a pair of first-down catches of 15 and 21 yards to highlight the drive.
The Boilers once again matched the Gophers’ touchdown, this time taking 10 plays to cover 90 yards for their longest scoring drive of the game. A Painter to Lymon Selwyn kept the drive alive on a key third-down reception down to the Gopher 29. Four plays later, Sheets found paydirt on a 3-yard run to return the Purdue advantage to 21 points at 38-17.
The Gophers’ started the fourth quarter by looking to their leading receiver on a big fourth down play. Weber connected with Decker on a post route for a 15-yard touchdown. Decker, who finished with seven catches for 79 yards, has now caught a TD pass in the last three games.
Painter also relied on his top receiver to make a big play in Purdue’s final scoring drive of the game. Dorien pulled in a 16 yard pass to give the Boilers’ a 45-24 lead with 12:53 remaining.
Weber pushed the ball over the goal line from two yards out to score for the Gophers’ final touchdown with 8:50 left.
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