University of Minnesota back-up quarterback Max Shortell rallied the Gophers late in the fourth quarter but the team fell short in its loss to the Northwestern Wildcats 21-13 Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium.
Shortell came in for MarQuies Gray, who reinjured his ankle in the third quarter. Shortell helped drive the team down to Northwestern’s 8 yard line, but turned the ball over on downs with under three minutes to go.
The Gophers had another shot at a homecoming win when they got the ball back with 1:17 to go, but sputtered when Shortell fumbled on a sack at the U of M 32.
The loss dropped the Gophers to 4-2 and 0-2 in the Big Ten. Northwestern improved to 6-1 and 2-1 in the Big Ten, and became bowl-eligible with the win.
The Gophers have now dropped three straight games to the Northwestern. Their last win against the Wildcats came in 2009.
The Gophers travel to Madison, Wis., next Saturday to take on the Wisconsin Badgers.
The Star Tribune provided a wrap-up of the game.
