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University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Postgame Notes
9/27/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Series Notes
∙ Minnesota slipped to 7-41 in its all-time series with Ohio State with today’s loss. The setback was the sixth in a row vs. the Buckeyes.
∙ The Gophers’ last win over OSU was a 28-17 upset of the then-No. 6 ranked Bucks on Oct. 14, 2000, in Columbus. Minnesota’s all-time record in Columbus dropped to 3-21 with today’s loss.
Team Notes
∙ Minnesota fell to 4-1 (0-1 Big Ten) with today’s loss. It was the first setback of the season for the Gophers, who have now dropped nine straight Big Ten games. Minnesota’s last Big Ten Conference victory was a 34-24 win over Iowa on Nov. 18, 2006 at the Metrodome.
∙ With the loss, Minnesota has now dropped three straight Big Ten openers and five straight Big Ten road debuts. The Gophers last victory in a Big Ten road game was a 31-18 win at Michigan State on Nov. 11, 2006.
∙ Minnesota lost its 10th consecutive matchup with a ranked opponent with today’s setback vs. No. 14 Ohio State. The Gophers are now 4-22 against ranked opponents since the start of the 2000 season, with the last victory over a ranked foe coming in a 42-35 double overtime win over then-No. 11 Purdue at the Metrodome on Sept. 24, 2005.
∙ Ohio State’s touchdown drive on its opening possession was earliest points given up on the season by the Minnesota defense. It took the Buckeyes just 2:13 to navigate 75 yards, with Terrelle Prior scoring on a 33-yard run to make it 7-0 OSU.
∙ Minnesota’s three turnovers today are one more than the Gophers committed in their first four games of the year combined. Ohio State scored 17 of its 34 points off of turnovers.
∙ Minnesota’s defense extended its turnover string to five games today, thanks to Eric Small’s strip and recovery of Bennie Wells during the first quarter. Minnesota cashed in the miscue for three points on a 34-yard Joel Monroe field goals and has now scored 69 points off of turnovers this season.
Individual Notes
∙ Sophomore quarterback Adam Weber completed 23 of 26 passes for 187 yards and extended his streak of consecutive games with at least one passing touchdown to eight with his 22-yard fourth quarter strike to Da’Jon McKnight. Weber has now tossed at least one TD pass in 16 of 17 career games and has 32 for his career, which ranks sixth all time at Minnesota.
∙ Weber crossed the 4,000-yard mark in career passing with 187 yards today. He now ranks seventh all time in Minnesota history with 4,049 passing yards. With his 23 completions, Weber now has 360 for his career, which ranks as the sixth-most in school history.
∙ Weber’s second quarter interception deep in Ohio State territory was just his second of the season. It came on his 121st pass attempt of the year.
∙ Sophomore wide receiver Ralph Spry scored his first career rushing touchdown on a 3-yard pitch from Adam Weber at the 8:24 mark of the fourth quarter. It was the Gophers first touchdown on the day, Spry’s first of the season and the fourth of is career.
∙ True freshman Da’Jon McKnight scored his first career touchdown with 1:13 to go in the game on his first career pass reception, hauling in a 22-yard pass from Adam Weber.
∙ Mike Maciejowski completed his first pass attempt since the 2006 season, connecting with Eric Decker on a 2-point conversion to pull the Gophers within 34-21 late in the fourth quarter.
∙ True freshman running back DeLeon Eskridge hauled in a career-high eight receptions and led the Gophers with 55 yards receiving.
∙ Eric Decker had five catches for 52 yards and has now had at least five receptions in six straight games dating to last season.
∙ Junior defensive tackle Eric Small ripped the ball away from OSU running back Bennie Wells at the 9:39 mark of the first half for the Gophers’ 14th turnover forced by the Minnesota defense on the season. It was the sixth fumble of the year recovered by the Maroon and Gold defense and the first forced fumble and recovery of Small’s career. Small also picked up his first sack of the season, dropping Pryor for a 6-yard loss early in the second half.
Minnesota at Ohio State - By the numbers...
105,175 - Today’s attendance. The largest crowd to watch the Gophers play this season.
4,049 - Adam Weber’s career passing yards. The seventh most in school history.
360 - Number of career completions by sophomore quarterback Adam Weber - the sixth most ever at Minnesota.
131 - All-purpose yards by freshman DeLeon Eskridge.
69 - Number of points the Gophers have scored following opponent’s turnovers, including three today.
32 - Adam Weber’s number of career touchdown passes, including one today.
22 - Length of Da’Jon McKnight’s first career touchdown recpetion. It happened with 4:22 to play in the game.
4 - Number of field goals by place-kicker Joel Monroe on the season. He tied his career game high with two today, connecting from 33 and 28 yards. Monroe now has hit on 14 of 18 career field goal attempts.
2 - Two-point conversion on the Gophers’ final touchdown of the game. It was Minnesota’s first of the season and the first by the Gophers since Ernie Wheelwright hauled in a pass from Adam Weber last season at Florida Atlantic.
