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University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Fall in East Lansing
11/6/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
An athletic, fourth-quarter touchdown reception by sophomore MarQueis Gray briefly sparked the Gophers although it wouldn't be enough as the Minnesota football team was unable to climb out of an early deficit on Saturday afternoon, losing to No. 14 Michigan State in East Lansing.
Minnesota (1-9 overall, 0-6 Big Ten) struggled to contain Michigan State's balanced offense, which totaled 320 total yards of production, and allowed Michigan State's Edwin Baker to rally off 179 yards of rushing and all four of the Spartans' touchdowns. Baker gained more than 100 yards in the first half and found the end zone three times to put Michigan State up 21-0 going into halftime.
The Spartans (9-1, 5-1) would add a field goal in the third quarter before Minnesota finally found its way onto the scoreboard when senior quarterback Adam Weber hit Gray with a 9-yard touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone at 10:58 of the fourth quarter. The athletic Gray was able to haul in the jump ball and was just able to keep his left foot in bounds for his fifth touchdown grab of the season. Minnesota was successful going for two points following the touchdown when Weber hit running back DeLeon Eskridge with a short pass before the junior scampered across the goal line to make it 24-8 Michigan State.
But Baker, who entered the game ranked fifth in the Big Ten in rushing yards, wasn't finished and capped off a 77-yard drive on the ensuing series with a one-yard touchdown dive to close out the scoring for the game and give the Spartans a 31-8 conference win.
Weber finished the game going 15-of-22 for 167 yards with one touchdown and one interception while Gray, who lined up at both the quarterback and receiver positions, completed 2-of-6 passes for 24 yards. The versatile sophomore also ran for 31 yards on five carries in addition to his touchdown catch - his only reception of the day. Junior tight end Eric Lair led Minnesota through the air with 59 yards on four catches while junior running back Duane Bennett and junior wide receiver Da'Jon McKnight each picked up 57 yards through the air.
Minnesota continues the Big Ten season next weekend against Illinois with an 11 a.m. (CST) meeting in Champaign.
