.png&width=42&height=42&type=webp)
University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
9-4
Washington State
8-5
Gophers Shut Down Cougars for Ninth Win
12/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
SAN DIEGO -- Shannon Brooks caught a tipped pass from Mitch Leidner for a 13-yard, go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter and the Minnesota Golden Gophers upset Luke Falk and the Washington State Cougars 17-12 in the Holiday Bowl on Tuesday night.
With the win, Minnesota finished the 2016 season with a 9-4 record, the most wins for the program since 2003. It's also just the second time since 1905 the Golden Gophers have reached nine victories.
WSU cornerback Marcellus Pippins reached up with his right hand and deflected Leidner's pass in the end zone but it went right to Brooks for the TD and a 10-6 lead. That capped an 84-yard, 10-play drive on Minnesota's first possession of the second half.
WSU (8-5) ended on a three-game losing streak and was held to its lowest point total of the season. The Cougars had scored more than 50 points four times this season, a school record.
The Golden Gophers frustrated Falk most of the game, holding him to 264 yards -- 86 below his average -- on 30-of-51 passing. Falk didn't crack 200 yards until the final minutes, when he led a drive capped by an 8-yard TD pass to Kyle Sweet. After three tries due to Minnesota penalties, the conversion attempt failed. Minnesota then recovered an onside kick.
Falk came in having completed 71 percent of his passes in throwing for 4,204 yards and 37 touchdowns. The Cougars were ranked second in the nation in passing.
Falk was intercepted by Adekunle Ayinde on fourth down with 3:05 left. That set up Rodney Smith's 9-yard TD run with 2:06 left for a 17-6 lead.
WSU lead 6-3 after a lackluster first half that included just three field goals.
The Cougars couldn't get their vaunted Air Raid offense going and crossed the 50 just twice, getting field goals of 26 and 41 yards by Erik Powell.
Powell's second field goal was set up when Nnamdi Oguayo hit Leidner and forced a fumble that Isaac Dotson recovered at the Golden Gophers' 38.
Minnesota got a 43-yard field goal by Emmit Carpenter in the second quarter.
TAKEAWAY
Minnesota: The Golden Gophers had only 110 yards of total offense in the first half before finally coming alive in the second half. Smith gained 74 yards on 17 carries. He came in averaging 90 yards.
Washington State: The Air Raid offense was a no-show. After Powell kicked a field goal to cap WSU's first drive, the Cougars went three-and-out on their next four possessions. The Cougars had to settle for Powell's 41-yard field goal at the end of the first half after Falk's pass to Tavares Martin Jr. to the 1 was overturned after review.
Team Stats
MINN 0, WSU 3
WSU - Powell, Erik 26 yd field goal 17 plays, 76 yards, TOP 6:33
MINN 3, WSU 3
MINN - Carpenter,Emmit 43 yd field goal 6 plays, 14 yards, TOP 2:53
MINN 3, WSU 6
WSU - Powell, Erik 41 yd field goal 7 plays, 14 yards, TOP 1:56
MINN 10, WSU 6
MINN - Brooks, Shannon 13 yd pass from Leidner, Mitch (Carpenter,Emmit kick) 10 plays, 84 yards, TOP 5:22
MINN 17, WSU 6
MINN - Smith, Rodney 9 yd run (Carpenter,Emmit kick), 4 plays, 31 yards, TOP 0:59
MINN 17, WSU 12
WSU - Sweet, Kyle 8 yd pass from Falk, Luke (Falk, Luke passfailed) 10 plays, 79 yards, TOP 1:42
