Final at TCF Bank Stadium. #OSUvsMINN pic.twitter.com/ijrwtm1s3b
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) November 15, 2014
The Minnesota Gophers played tough but fell short against Ohio State 31-24 on a chilly, snowy Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium.
It appeared early on that the No. 8 Buckeyes might win in a blowout after they scored a quick 14 points in the first quarter. But the Gophers scored two TDs of their own in the second quarter off Ohio State turnovers.
Briean Boddy-Calhoun intercepted a pass from J.T. Barrett and ran it back 56 yards for a touchdown. He also forced a Buckeye fumble near the Minnesota goal line which led to the second Gopher touchdown and a tie game, the Star Tribune reports.
Ohio State kicked a 22-yard field goal to go into half-time leading by three at 17-14, and kept the momentum going in the second half when they built a 17-point lead.
The Gophers were down by 10 with 1:23 left in the game when they kicked a field goal to close within 7 points, and hoped to recover the onside kick to have one last chance at a touchdown. But Ohio State recovered the kick and ran out the clock.
Barrett passed for 200 yards and three touchdowns, and he also rushed for 189 yards including a scoring run of 86 yards.
If there was any question about JT Barrett's speed…. #osuvsminn https://t.co/VaVBhDvumZ
— Chuck Gose (@chuckgose) November 15, 2014
By contrast, the Gophers’ Mitch Leidner Mitch completed just seven of 19 passes for 85 yards, and he threw two interceptions, according to the Star Tribune.
Liked Jerry Kill's demeanor in postgame presser. He's not happy with mistakes: busted coverage, illegal formation on third and inches
— Chip Scoggins (@chipscoggins) November 15, 2014
Kill seemed particularly annoyed with illegal formation penalty on third and inches right before Leidner INT. Blamed coaching for penalty
— Chip Scoggins (@chipscoggins) November 15, 2014
David Cobb had another great day for Minnesota, scoring all three of the Gophers’ touchdowns and rushing for 145 yards.
Ohio State outgained Minnesota 489-303 yards in the game.
The Buckeyes have now won their 22nd consecutive Big Ten regular season game, and the win boosted their chances of reaching the College Football Playoff.
With the loss, Minnesota (7-3, 4-2) fell out of first place in the Big Ten West division.
Kickoff temperature is 15 degrees, coldest in stadium history. Was 18 last year for Wisconsin. I can say I was at both. Yay. #OSUvsMINN
— Brian Bennett (@GBrianBennett) November 15, 2014
#Buckeyes Urban Meyer post-game…"I can't wait to get the heck out of here."#Gophers #OSUvsMINN
— Keith Leventhal (@KeithLeventhal) November 15, 2014
