.png&width=42&height=42&type=webp)
University of Minnesota Athletics
Postgame Notes
10/25/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Series Notes
∙ Today’s win snapped a seven-game losing streak for the Gophers at Ross-Ade Stadium and was Minnesota’s first win at Purdue since 1990.
∙ Minnesota’s longest losing streak at Purdue spanned from 1894-1971, when the Gophers dropped eight in a row.
∙ The victory improved Minnesota to 32-30-3 all time vs. Purdue and was the Gophers’ first win over the Boilermakers home or away since 2005 and the first win in regulation time since 1995.
∙ Prior today’s victory the Gophers had dropped nine of their last 10 meetings with Purdue.
∙ Today’s win by Minnesota was just its fifth ever in West Lafayette.
Team Notes
∙ Minnesota moves to 7-1 on the season for its best start since posting the same record in 2002. The Gophers are now assured of earning their eighth bowl berth in the last 10 season.
∙ The Gophers improved their Big Ten record to 3-1. It is the first time Minnesota has won three of ifs first four conference games since 2002.
∙ Minnesota was first to dent the scoreboard, taking a 7-0 lead on Adam Weber’s first quarter TD run. It marked the sixth time in eight games this season that the Gophers have scored first. Minnesota is now 6-0 when scoring the first points of a game. Minnesota also improved to 5-0 on the year when leading at the half.
∙ The Gophers finished the game +3 in turnovers and have now won the turnover battle in 7 of 8 games. Minnesota’s defense has now forced 24 turnovers after creating just 14 all of last year.
∙ Purdue’s six points were its fewest against the Gophers since Minnesota limited the Boilers to just three in 1991 (a 6-3 Gopher win at the Metrodome). It is Purdue’s fewest points at home vs. Minnesota since scoring the same number in 1897.
∙ Purdue’s six points were the fewest scored by a Minnesota opponent in Big Ten play since the Gopher shutout Illinois in 2004.
∙ Minnesota’s defense has now held two Big Ten foes (Indiana and Purdue) to seven points or less this season.
∙ Minnesota’s defense tied its season-high with five sacks today. The Gophers now have 22 sacks on the year, double the 2007 total of 11.
Individual Notes
∙ Adam Weber opened the scoring with a 4-yard touchdown with 13:11 to play in the first quarter. It was his third rushing touchdown of the season and his first since the Montana State game on Sept. 13. Weber now has eight career rushing touchdowns.
∙ Weber finished 21 of 34 for 212 yards and a TD. He now ranks fourth at Minnesota in career passing touchdowns with 34.
∙ Brandon Green made his first career start today and responded with an 71-yard catch to set up the Gophers’ first touchdown of the game. He finished with five receptions for 100 yards to become just the second Gopher to hit the 100-yard receiving mark this season.
∙ Green’s 71-yard reception was the longest pass play of the season for the Gophers and Minnesota’s longest since the 2007 season finale, when Adam Weber connected with Ralph Spry on a 71-yard touchdown pass vs. Wisconsin. The pass also tied a career long for Weber.
∙ Eric Decker finished with seven receptions for 51 yards and now 66 catches on the year, on shy of tying the single-season record of 67 he set last year. For his career, Decker now has 159, tied for the third most in school history.
∙ Marcus Sherels second quarter interception was the second of his career and second of the season. His first pick came earlier this year vs. Montana State.
- Garrett Brown recovered his second fumble of the season, dropping on a Curtis Painter miscue during the second quarter. His first recovery came in the season opener vs. Northern Illinois.
∙ Tramaine Brock forced his first career fumble and Nate Triplett made his first career fumble recovery.
∙ Kyle Theret grabbed his third interception of the season and the sixth of the year and should rank with the Big Ten’s leaders in interceptions when the league’s stats are calculated. Theret also led the Gophers with nine tackles (all solo). It is the second straight game he has led the team in tackles.
Minnesota at Purdue: By the numbers...
54,215 - Today’s attendance.
4,719 - Adam Weber’s career passing yards. The seventh most in school history.
2,120 - Eric Decker’s career receiving yards. The fifth-most in school history.
421 - Number of career completions by sophomore quarterback Adam Weber - the sixth most ever at Minnesota.
100 - Receiving yards by Brandon Green today. The most by a Gopher receiver not named Eric Decker this season.
34 - Adam Weber’s number of career touchdown passes, including one today.
24 - Turnovers forced by the Gophers this season.
22 - Sacks by the Gophers this season.
2 - Sacks by Garrett Brown today - a career high.
