University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Nebraska
Minnesota Falls to No. 16 Nebraska 38-14
11/17/2012 12:00:00 AM | Football
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Nov. 17, 2012
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -Despite two late rushing touchdowns from senior MarQueis Gray, the Gopher football team dropped a 38-14 decision to Legends Division-leading No. 16 Nebraska Saturday in Lincoln, Neb.
The Cornhuskers (9-2, 6-1), who had to come from behind in the second half in four of its first five Big Ten wins, scored on four of their first six possessions against the Gophers (6-5, 2-5).
Nebraska can clinch the Legends Division title - and a berth in the conference championship game against Wisconsin on Dec. 1 - with a win at Iowa on Friday or a Michigan loss at Ohio State Saturday.
Minnesota had 98 total yards entering the fourth quarter. Nebraska pulled its starters, and the Gophers scored on Gray's 1- and 6-yard runs.
The Gophers finished with 177 yards. Philip Nelson was 8 of 23 for 59 yards, with two interceptions, for Minnesota.
Coaching great Tom Osborne joined Bo Pelini in leading the Huskers onto the field before kickoff. Osborne also was honored during a halftime ceremony on ''Salute to Tom Osborne'' Day at Memorial Stadium.
Osborne, who won 255 games and three national titles from 1973-97, is retiring as athletic director Jan. 1.
Nebraska took control early, with quarterback Taylor Martinez sharp and the defense holding the Gophers to 60 yards in the first half.
The Huskers tried to land the knockout punch going into halftime, but the Gophers stopped Cross for no gain on second-and-goal from the 1 as the clock ran out.
Bell's second touchdown, followed by Stanley Jean-Baptiste's 48-yard interception return, put the Huskers up 38-0 late in the third quarter.
Nebraska took a quick 10-0 lead, and Minnesota crossed midfield just once on its first eight possessions.
The bowl-eligible Gophers will host the Michigan State Spartans Saturday, Nov. 24 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis to close the regular season. Kick-off will be at 2:30 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.
