University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota-Kent State Postgame Notes
9/19/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
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TCF Bank Stadium
Minnesota (2-1) 10, Kent State (1-2) 7
Team / Series Notes
• This was the second all-time meeting between the programs. Minnesota has won both matchups with a combined score of 54-7 (44-0 in 2006).
• Kent State is the first of three teams from Ohio on Minnesota's schedule this season (Ohio, Ohio State).
• With the win, the Gophers move to 28-4-1 all-time against schools from the Mid-American Conference.
• Head coach Jerry Kill evened his record to 27-27 as Minnesota's head coach. Coach Kill's overall record as a Division I head coach stands at 154-100 midway through his 22nd year patrolling the sidelines.
• Minnesota's defense stifled Kent State's offense and only allowed three plays to be run in its own territory. The Golden Flashes reached Minnesota's 42 yard line midway through the fourth quarter, which was the farthest they would get.
• The Gophers scored on their opening drive (a 42-yard field goal by Ryan Santoso) for the first time in their last six games.
• Minnesota held Kent State scoreless in the opening half, marking the first time the Gophers have done that since Sept. 6, 2014 vs. Middle Tennessee - a 35-24 win for the Gophers.
• On the first drive of the second half, Minnesota went for it and converted on a fourth down for the third straight game to open the 2015 season.
• Kent State scooped up a fumble for a touchdown in the third quarter. The last time the Gophers had allowed a fumble return for a touchdown was against Iowa, Nov. 23, 1996.
• The total attendance of 52,823 was the third-largest in TCF Bank Stadium history. The largest crowd came through the gates just two weeks ago against TCU (54,147).
Individual Notes
• Rodney Smith rushed for 73 yards against Kent State, giving him 269 rushing yards through his first three games with the Gophers.
• Smith set a career-high in carries on the afternoon with 30 totes. His previous high was 21 last week at Colorado State.
• Mitch Leidner's streak of 157 passes without an interception came to an end after his fifth pass of the game was picked off by Demetrius Monday of Kent State. That mark had been the third-longest active streak in the nation.
• Eric Carter tied his single-game best with four catches for a career-best 33 yards.
• Nate Wozniak had single-game bests of three receptions for 40 yards.
• Linebacker Cody Poock set a career-high with 10 tackles (eight solo). He previously had seven tackles versus TCU and at Colorado State.
• Defensive end Alex Keith recorded career-highs of five tackles (four solo) two passes broken up. He also registered one TFL.
• Noah Scarver reeled in his first career catch as a Gopher in the second quarter for five yards.
• KJ Maye caught his third touchdown pass of the season for 14 yards late in the second quarter. Maye had only one career touchdown entering the 2015 campaign.
• Kicker Ryan Santoso drilled a 42-yard field goal in the first half, which was his sixth career make from 40-plus yards out.
• Peter Mortell punted seven times for a 41.9-yard average, which included two punts for 51 yards and five punts inside Kent State's 20 yard line.
