It’s going to be a long year for Floyd of Rosedale having to spend a sabbatical in Iowa City.
SERIES NOTES
- Today’s game was the 106th between Minnesota and Iowa, but the first ever between the two programs in the month of September. It was also the 78th time the two teams have played for the coveted Floyd of Rosedale Trophy.
- With today’s loss, Minnesota’s lead in the all-time series slipped to 61-43-2. It also snapped a two-game winning streak for the Gophers over Iowa.
- The Gophers lost possession of Floyd for the first time since 2009 with today’s setback and saw their lead in the trophy-game series fall to 41-35-2.
- Minnesota has now dropped six games in a row at Kinnick Stadium and fell to 23-28-1 all-time in Iowa City. The Gophers last win at Iowa was a 25-21 victory in 1999.
TEAM NOTES
- Minnesota’s suffered its first loss of the season.
- The Gophers’ loss stopped the Big Ten’s longest active win streak at five games and was Minnesota’s first loss since falling at Northwestern on Nov. 19, 2011.
- Minnesota’s 4-0 start was its first since 2008. The Gophers also fell in game No. 5 that season – at Ohio State.
- The Gophers have not won a Big Ten opener since a 35-24 triumph at Northwestern on Sept. 26, 2009.
- Minnesota is now 1-1 on the road in 2012. The Gophers won their season opener at UNLV.
- The Gophers are still seeking their first Big Ten road win under head coach Jerry Kill (0-5). Minnesota’s last conference road win was a 38-34 victory at Illinois on Nov. 13, 2010.
- Iowa’s 328 yards of total offense at halftime were the most by a Minnesota opponent through two quarters this season. It was also more than the Gophers yielded in either of their first two games. Entering today, opponents were averaging just 315.0 yards per game.
- Minnesota held Iowa to just 49 yards in the second half after giving up 328 yards in the first half.
- Minnesota was held off the scoreboard in the first half for the first time this season.
- The Gophers finished the game minus-4 in the turnover category. They entered the game plus-6 on the season through four games.
- Today’s game marked the first time this season that the Gophers did not record a sack.
- A season-high 10 different Gophers were credited with a reception today.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Sophomore quarterback Max Shortell connected on just 4 of 11 passes for 32 yards in the first half, but came out firing in the second, completing eight of his first 10. He finished the game 20 of 33 for 197 yards and two scores.
- Shortell’s 16 carries for 46 yards were both career highs.
- Sophomore wide receiver Isaac Fruechte hauled in his second touchdown reception of the season with 7:12 to go in the third quarter on a 9-yard pass from Shortell.
- Junior A.J. Barker led the Gophers and tied a career-high with five receptions. He finished the game with 74 receiving yards.
- Sophomore Drew Goodger entered the game with four receptions on the season. He finished the game with three for 14 yards, including a fourth-quarter touchdown grab.
- Mike Henry made his first two career receptions today.