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University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
0-1 , 0-1
Ohio State
1-0 , 1-0
#4 Buckeyes Outlast Gophers, 45-31, in Season Opener
9/2/2021 11:01:00 PM | Football
Mohamed Ibrahim rushed for 163 yards and two scores.
Already a time-of-possession team, the Gophers needed to play keep-away more than ever to make this a game. They were tentative at times but bold at others, including a fourth-and-1 play from deep in their own territory when Ibrahim ripped off a 56-yard run with Minnesota trailing 10-0.
That set up a touchdown throw by Tanner Morgan to Texas A&M transfer Dylan Wright, who had five catches for 57 yards.
C.J. Stroud passed for 294 yards and four touchdowns in his debut as the Ohio State starter.
The Buckeyes flashed their five-star speed with two 70-plus-yard scores in the opener, one early on a run off right end by Miyan Williams and one late on a third-down screen to true freshman TreVeyon Henderson.
Chris Olave had touchdown catches of 38 and 61 yards, and Garrett Wilson scored on a 56-yard reception that gave Ohio State the lead for good at 24-21 midway through the third quarter.
More painful for the Gophers than their fade down the stretch was the loss of Ibrahim, who hurt his lower right leg late in the third quarter, limped off and did not return. The second team preseason Associated Press All-American had 30 carries for 163 yards and two scores, both giving the Gophers the lead. Ibrahim extended his school record to nine straight games with over 100 yards rushing.
With fans allowed back in the seats at what's now called Huntington Bank Stadium, after the virus emptied them out for an abbreviated 2020 schedule, Minnesota enjoyed its third straight sellout dating to the Penn State and Wisconsin games in November 2019.
THE TAKEAWAY
Ohio State: For all their talent at wide receiver, size on the offensive line and depth at running back, the Buckeyes were still turning over their offense to a player who'd never attempted a pass in a college game. Stroud delivered some strong throws and was shaky with some others, just as any freshman often would in his first Big Ten road game, but the succession from NFL first-round draft pick Justin Fields went about as smooth as could reasonably be expected.
Minnesota: Regardless of the outcome, this was precisely the type of performance the Gophers were seeking in their attempt to get back on track after a frustrating 2020 season.
UP NEXT
Ohio State: The Buckeyes return home to face No. 11 Oregon on Sept. 11.
Minnesota: The Gophers host Miami of Ohio on Sept. 11.
Team Stats
OSU 7, MIN 0
OSU - Williams,Miyan 71 yd run (Ruggles,Noah kick), 5 plays, 92 yards, TOP 01:42
OSU 10, MIN 0
OSU - Ruggles,Noah 35 yd field goal 14 plays, 74 yards, TOP 06:47
OSU 10, MIN 7
MIN - Wright,Dylan 13 yd pass from Morgan,Tanner (Trickett,Matthew kick) 6 plays, 80 yards, TOP 03:34
OSU 10, MIN 14
MIN - Ibrahim,Mohamed 1 yd run (Trickett,Matthew kick), 8 plays, 37 yards, TOP 04:31
OSU 17, MIN 14
OSU - Olave,Chris 38 yd pass from Stroud,C.J. (Ruggles,Noah kick) 7 plays, 81 yards, TOP 02:13
OSU 17, MIN 21
MIN - Ibrahim,Mohamed 19 yd run (Trickett,Matthew kick), 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:40
OSU 24, MIN 21
OSU - Wilson,Garrett 56 yd pass from Stroud,C.J. (Ruggles,Noah kick) 1 plays, 56 yards, TOP 00:08
OSU 31, MIN 21
OSU - Garrett,Haskell 32 yd fumble recovery (Ruggles,Noah kick)
OSU 31, MIN 24
MIN - Trickett,Matthew 46 yd field goal 12 plays, 47 yards, TOP 06:39
OSU 38, MIN 24
OSU - Henderson,TreVeyon 70 yd pass from Stroud,C.J. (Ruggles,Noah kick) 3 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:56
OSU 38, MIN 31
MIN - Williams,Bryce 2 yd run (Trickett,Matthew kick), 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:12
OSU 45, MIN 31
OSU - Olave,Chris 61 yd pass from Stroud,C.J. (Ruggles,Noah kick) 2 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:52
