Despite having a lead at halftime, the Gophers were not able to upset the No. 21 University of Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday falling 24-17.
Minnesota mustered just 264 yards of offense in the loss. Saturday’s defeat also puts Minnesota’s chances of winning the Big Ten West division in serious doubt.
The Gophers opened the game with a 14 play, 75 yard drive that ended with a Rodney Smith touchdown. It was the 9th rushing touchdown in his last 80 carries.
We really ought to just copy and paste this tweet:@Numerouno1_ with the @GopherFootball TD. https://t.co/2Rq2S9CCt5
— Minnesota on BTN (@MinnesotaOnBTN) November 13, 2016
However the Huskers retook the lead with a field goal and touchdown and led 10-3.
Minnesota kept feeding Smith and his 30-yard run late in the second quarter, eventually set up a Mitch Leidner touchdown and the Gophers were back in front 14-10.
As the first half expired, kicker Emmitt Carpenter hit a 43-yard field goal to give the Gophers a 17-10 lead at halftime.
Nebraska opened the second half by marching down the field with ease as the drive ended with a 31-yard screen pass and the game was tied at 17.
Later in the 4th quarter the Cornhuskers took the lead for good when quarterback Tommy Armstrong rushed in a 13-yard touchdown, giving Nebraska the 24-17 lead.
Leidner and the Gophers offense had one last chance late in the final minutes, but the QB threw an interception which cemented the win for Nebraska.
With the loss the Gophers are 7-3 on the season and will host Northwestern next weekend at TCF Bank Stadium.
