.png&width=42&height=42&type=webp)
University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota-Florida Atlantic Postgame Notes
9/20/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Series Notes
- Minnesota and Florida Atlantic met for the third time with the home team winning each game. Minnesota took a 46-7 decision at the Metrodome in 2005 before the Owls won 42-39 last season in Miami.
Team Notes
- Minnesota finished undefeated in non-conference play for the ninth time in 24 years and for the first time since 2005, which was also the Gophers last 4-0 start.
- It marks the third time since 1910 that Minnesota has won four regular season non-conference games. The Gophers also beat four non-Big Ten foes in 2002 and 2003.
- The Gophers limited Florida Atlantic to 276 total yards and 175 yards passing. The Owls totaled 580 yards and 463 yards passing in last year’s win over Minnesota.
- The 276 yards and three points allowed were both the fewest by an opponent since a 63-0 win over Temple on Sept. 16, 2006, marking a span of 26 games. The Owls totaled 157 yards in the loss.
- Adam Weber’s interception in the second quarter marked the first time this season Minnesota failed to score in the red zone in 14 attempts. The first quarter field goal snapped a string of 12 straight red zone trips that resulted in a touchdown to open the season.
- Minnesota has shutout three of its four opponents in the first quarter and outscored its foes 24-6 in the opening period.
- The Gophers now have eight interceptions for the season after totaling seven during all of the 2007 season.
- Minnesota had at least three interceptions in consecutive games for the first time since picking off five passes in back-to-back weeks against Wisconsin and Illinois on Oct. 23 and Nov. 6, 1993.
- It was the first time Minnesota has intercepted four passes in a game since Nov. 18, 2006 against Iowa.
- Minnesota continued its solid play in turnover margin with four takeaways and one giveaway. The Gophers are now plus-11 for the season and entered the game ranked third nationally in turnover margin.
- Minnesota scored 21 points off turnovers and now has scored 66 points off turnovers for the season after totaling 41 all of last season.
- The Gophers have at least one rushing touchdown in 63 of their last 70 games.
Individual Notes
- Traye Simmons had his second career interception in the first quarter, intercepting a pass for the second straight week.
- Adam Weber’s interception in the second quarter was his first interception thrown of the season, coming in his 96th pass attempt.
- Weber finished 19-for-24 passing for a 79.2 completion percentage. He has now completed 71.8 percent of his passes for the season (79-for-110).
- Florida Atlantic quarterback Rusty Smith entered the game with one interception in 99 passing attempts for the season before his four picks on Saturday. He was 27-for-44 for 463 yards with no interceptions and five touchdowns against the Gophers in 2007.
- Joel Monroe’s missed PAT in the second quarter was his first miss in 58 career attempts.
- Eric Decker’s 31-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter marked the sixth consecutive game he has caught a touchdown, including the final two games of the 2007 season. The school record is seven straight games shared by Ron Johnson (1999-2000) and Ernie Wheelwright (2006-07)
- The touchdown was Decker’s 16th career touchdown catch, moving him alone in fourth place on the Minnesota all-time receiving touchdowns list. He needs one more to match Tutu Atwell (1994-97) for third place.
- Marcus Sherels’ 34-yard punt return in the third quarter was Minnesota’s longest since a 35-yard return in 2006.
- Simoni Lawrence’s fourth quarter sack was the first allowed by Florida Atlantic in four games this season.
- Lawrence’s fourth quarter 50-yard interception return for a touchdown was the first by a Gophers’ player since Dom Barber against Indiana on Nov. 4, 2006.
- With seven catches, Decker has now caught at least six passes in every game this season. He entered the game leading the Big Ten and ranking seventh nationally at 8.33 receptions per game.
- Decker’s 122 yards receiving gave him consecutive 100-yard receiving games for the second time in his career. He also achieved the mark last year against Miami (Ohio) and Florida Atlantic.
