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University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Feast on Falcons, 42-17
9/7/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Minnesota converted four second-half Bowling Green turnovers into touchdowns turning a close game into a decisive victory as the Golden Gophers improved to 2-0 with a 42-17 win at Doyt Perry Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio, on Saturday. Sophomore Adam Weber threw for three touchdowns and 233 yards completing an impressive 21-of-25 pass attempts.
The Gophers held a 14-10 advantage at halftime when Bowling Green’s Roger Williams took Joel Monroe’s opening kickoff of the second half and darted 22 yards up field before being leveled by Jay Thomas. The ball came loose and Ryan Collado recovered the fumble giving Minnesota the ball on the Falcon 22 yard line.
Five plays later, Weber found tight end Nick Tow-Arnett on a crossing route deep in the endzone for a 7-yard score and upping the Minnesota lead to 21-10.
Bowling Green (1-1), who upset Pittsburgh in its season-opener a week ago, answered with an 8-play, 80 yard, scoring drive in its next possession to close within 21-17. Quarterback Tyler Sheehan connected with Chris Wright on a 27-yard scoring pass at the 8:56 mark of the third quarter.
The Falcon defense had turned up the intensity, forcing the Gophers into punts in their next two possessions. Late in the third quarter Minnesota drove to the Bowling Green 27 before the drive stalled and a Falcon sack of Weber pushed the Gophers into a punting situation. Jason Kucek’s punt was downed by Marcus Sherels at the Falcon 2-yard line.
Bowling Green was able to work their way out of the shadow of their own goal post. Chris Bullock first rushed for a 6-yard gain, then rambled up the middle for a 19-yard run to give the Falcons a first-and-10 from the 28. After the Gopher defense stuffed Bullock on a 1-yard gain, safety Tramaine Brock intercepted a long Sheehan pass on the Minnesota 26-yard line on just the second play of the fourth quarter.
Brock’s interception would turn out to set up the game’s decisive drive, one that would be highlighted by three huge plays. The first was an important conversion of a third-and-9 on the Minnesota 45-yard line. Two Gopher starters, center Jeff Tow-Arnett and Bennett, had just limped to the sideline on the previous play. Weber leaped to catch a high snap to start the play then averted several Falcon defenders before what looked to be a throw out of bounds to avoid the sack. Instead, junior Ben Kuznia made a dazzling catch, extending his body completely with just his toes grazing the legal field of play, giving the Gophers a 14-yard gain and a huge first down.
The drive needed a second big play to continue just a few plays later as Minnesota faced a fourth-and-four from the Falcon 35-yard line. Weber found tight end Jack Simmons for a 7-yard reception to keep the drive alive this time around. Then on the next play, the Gophers hit paydirt with a sweet grab by Decker, splitting the Bowling Green zone, for a 28-yard touchdown. The score put the Gophers up by a 28-17 margin with 10:41 to play.
Bowling Green fumbled the ball back to the Gophers on their next two possessions and the Gophers extend their leads by scoring touchdowns on ensuing drives. Weber added a 3-yard rushing touchdown to his three passing scores, before true freshman Shady Salamon rushed five yards for his first collegiate touchdown to put the finishing touches on the Gophers’ 42-17 victory.
Minnesota opened the game with solid 8-play, 76-yard march for a touchdown; tallying a TD on the game’s opening drive for the second straight week. Weber lofted a pass to Bennett out of the backfield who went in untouched for a 34-yard score. After Bowling Green tied the score at 7-7 on a long 11-play drive early in the second quarter, Minnesota took the lead for good the next take it had the ball.
Freshman Trey Stoudemire set up the drive with a nifty 48-yard kickoff return. Decker capped off the drive by taking a pitch on the option and powering 12-yard for his first career rushing touchdown.
Bowling Green closed to 14-10 with a 26-yard field goal as the second quarter ended.
Six different Gophers caught passes from Weber, who at one time had completed 12 straight attempts. Bennett led the way with eight catches for 100 yards. Decker finished with six receptions for 86 yards. Salamon came in the injured Bennett to lead the Gophers by rushing for 64 yards on 12 carries.
Minnesota returns home to play host to Montana State on Saturday, Sept. 13, in its next contest.
The Gophers held a 14-10 advantage at halftime when Bowling Green’s Roger Williams took Joel Monroe’s opening kickoff of the second half and darted 22 yards up field before being leveled by Jay Thomas. The ball came loose and Ryan Collado recovered the fumble giving Minnesota the ball on the Falcon 22 yard line.
Five plays later, Weber found tight end Nick Tow-Arnett on a crossing route deep in the endzone for a 7-yard score and upping the Minnesota lead to 21-10.
Bowling Green (1-1), who upset Pittsburgh in its season-opener a week ago, answered with an 8-play, 80 yard, scoring drive in its next possession to close within 21-17. Quarterback Tyler Sheehan connected with Chris Wright on a 27-yard scoring pass at the 8:56 mark of the third quarter.
The Falcon defense had turned up the intensity, forcing the Gophers into punts in their next two possessions. Late in the third quarter Minnesota drove to the Bowling Green 27 before the drive stalled and a Falcon sack of Weber pushed the Gophers into a punting situation. Jason Kucek’s punt was downed by Marcus Sherels at the Falcon 2-yard line.
Bowling Green was able to work their way out of the shadow of their own goal post. Chris Bullock first rushed for a 6-yard gain, then rambled up the middle for a 19-yard run to give the Falcons a first-and-10 from the 28. After the Gopher defense stuffed Bullock on a 1-yard gain, safety Tramaine Brock intercepted a long Sheehan pass on the Minnesota 26-yard line on just the second play of the fourth quarter.
Brock’s interception would turn out to set up the game’s decisive drive, one that would be highlighted by three huge plays. The first was an important conversion of a third-and-9 on the Minnesota 45-yard line. Two Gopher starters, center Jeff Tow-Arnett and Bennett, had just limped to the sideline on the previous play. Weber leaped to catch a high snap to start the play then averted several Falcon defenders before what looked to be a throw out of bounds to avoid the sack. Instead, junior Ben Kuznia made a dazzling catch, extending his body completely with just his toes grazing the legal field of play, giving the Gophers a 14-yard gain and a huge first down.
The drive needed a second big play to continue just a few plays later as Minnesota faced a fourth-and-four from the Falcon 35-yard line. Weber found tight end Jack Simmons for a 7-yard reception to keep the drive alive this time around. Then on the next play, the Gophers hit paydirt with a sweet grab by Decker, splitting the Bowling Green zone, for a 28-yard touchdown. The score put the Gophers up by a 28-17 margin with 10:41 to play.
Bowling Green fumbled the ball back to the Gophers on their next two possessions and the Gophers extend their leads by scoring touchdowns on ensuing drives. Weber added a 3-yard rushing touchdown to his three passing scores, before true freshman Shady Salamon rushed five yards for his first collegiate touchdown to put the finishing touches on the Gophers’ 42-17 victory.
Minnesota opened the game with solid 8-play, 76-yard march for a touchdown; tallying a TD on the game’s opening drive for the second straight week. Weber lofted a pass to Bennett out of the backfield who went in untouched for a 34-yard score. After Bowling Green tied the score at 7-7 on a long 11-play drive early in the second quarter, Minnesota took the lead for good the next take it had the ball.
Freshman Trey Stoudemire set up the drive with a nifty 48-yard kickoff return. Decker capped off the drive by taking a pitch on the option and powering 12-yard for his first career rushing touchdown.
Bowling Green closed to 14-10 with a 26-yard field goal as the second quarter ended.
Six different Gophers caught passes from Weber, who at one time had completed 12 straight attempts. Bennett led the way with eight catches for 100 yards. Decker finished with six receptions for 86 yards. Salamon came in the injured Bennett to lead the Gophers by rushing for 64 yards on 12 carries.
Minnesota returns home to play host to Montana State on Saturday, Sept. 13, in its next contest.
Players Mentioned
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