University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
1-0
South Dakota State
0-1
Minnesota Takes Down Jackrabbits 28-21 in Season Opener
8/29/2019 11:38:00 PM | Football
The Golden Gophers turned two SDSU turnovers into 15 points.
Winston DeLattiboudere recovered a fumbled exchange between South Dakota State quarterback J'Bore Gibbs and running back Pierre Strong with the Jackrabbits holding a 21-20 lead in the fourth quarter. Minnesota capped a five-play, 34-yard drive with Ibrahim's touchdown to pull ahead and extend the nation's longest winning streak of nonconference games at 16 in a row.
Tanner Morgan was 13-of-18 passing for 176 yards, one touchdown and one interception for the Gophers. Rashod Bateman had five catches for 132 yards, including a one-handed, 42-yard touchdown pass from Morgan in the first half.
In his first start for the Jackrabbits in replacing Taryn Christion, the program's all-time leading passer, Gibbs was 13 of 26 for 193 yards passing and a touchdown and he added another touchdown rushing. But the redshirt freshman threw an interception that was returned 43 yards for a touchdown by Chris Williamson.
THE TAKEAWAY
South Dakota State: The Jackrabbits -- ranked third and fourth, respectively, in the two major preseason FCS polls -- were looking to be the latest FCS team to post a win over an FBS team. Nicholls State was the last FCS team to beat a Power 5 conference team when it beat Kansas last season. North Dakota State was the last FCS team to beat a Big Ten opponent when it handed No. 13 Iowa a loss in 2016. Mistakes ultimately proved the difference. South Dakota State had the fumbled handoff and the interception returned for a touchdown. It also had a kickoff return for a touchdown nullified due to a penalty.
Minnesota: The Gophers can exhale after coming away with the win. Minnesota will need more from its running game that accounted for 132 yards on Thursday.
UP NEXT
South Dakota State: Four straight home games await the Jackrabbits, who will host LIU on Sept. 7.
Minnesota: The Gophers will go on the road to face Fresno State next week.
Follow Minnesota Football
Minnesota Football Tickets
Support Minnesota Football
Team Stats
SDSU 0, MINN 7
MINN - Green, Seth 1 yd run (Lantz, Michael kick), 18 plays, 91 yards, TOP 10:05
SDSU 7, MINN 7
SDSU - J'Bore Gibbs 1 yd run (Chase Vinatieri kick), 6 plays, 66 yards, TOP 2:40
SDSU 7, MINN 13
MINN - Bateman, Rashod 42 yd pass from Morgan, Tanner (Lantz, Michael kickfailed) 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:34
SDSU 7, MINN 20
MINN - Williamson, C 43 yd interception (Lantz, Michael kick)
SDSU 14, MINN 20
SDSU - Mikey Daniel 1 yd run (Chase Vinatieri kick), 10 plays, 92 yards, TOP 4:38
SDSU 21, MINN 20
SDSU - Zach Heins 13 yd pass from J'Bore Gibbs (Chase Vinatieri kick) 7 plays, 57 yards, TOP 3:31
SDSU 21, MINN 28
MINN - Ibrahim, M 1 yd run (Morgan, Tanner pass), 5 plays, 34 yards, TOP 2:33
