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By the Numbers: Gophers Rally to Upset Huskers 28-24, One Win Away From B1G Title Game
By Grant Erickson and Travis Erickson
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/450056?referrer_id=388419
In one of the most memorable contests in recent history, Minnesota stormed back from 14 points down to top the Nebraska Cornhuskers, 28-24, at Memorial Stadium. The victory earned the Maroon and Gold a date with Bucky next week in Madison with Paul Bunyan’s Axe and a trip to the Big Ten Championship Game on the line. SKI. U. MAH.
By the Numbers
14 – Deficit that Minnesota faced at halftime. The Gophers were able to move the ball in the first half but couldn’t find the endzone. An early momentum swing was an 85-yard blocked field goal for a touchdown that gave the Huskers a 21-7 lead heading into the break. The Gophers knew that they made some mistakes in the first half but did find some success that they could build off.
"I thought guys were relaxed,” said Mitch Leidner who threw for 135 yards while rushing for 111 and two scores. “Coach Kill came in telling us how we are a relentless group and to keep fighting. We have been in this position before. Guys were not really concerned about it because of the way we were moving the ball early in the game.”
55 – Yards by Donnell Kirkwood and Rodrick Williams who filled in during the second half for an injured David Cobb.
“We lose, in my opinion, one of the best backs in the nation (David Cobb) and Donnell Kirkwood and Rodrick Williams stepped up,” said Jerry Kill. “We only had two running backs, our kids bowed up and we made plays at the end.”
Losing Cobb was a big blow to the offense, but Minnesota knew they had backups who were ready for the spotlight.
"It sucks at first,” said Zac Epping of Cobb’s injury. “He's a great back, the best running back on our team. When he came out we were still confident. We have a lot of great running backs. They stepped up and did a great job for us."
Williams scored a 19-yard touchdown on fourth-and-one while Kirkwood sealed the game with a late first down to run out the clock.
"Coach always harps on you never know what's going to happen,” said Kirkwood. “You get in and do your best job, and I just felt like today was an opportunity where I can know what I am doing out there even though I am limited in game time."
10 – Plays needed by Minnesota to drive 80 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with just 3:25 on the clock. On the drive, Leidner fumbled, but the ball fell right into the hands of Epping who rumbled for four extra yards.
“He saw me wide open and decided to pitch it to me so I grabbed it and got five yards out of it,” joked Epping. “Unfortunately, he fumbled it, but I was in the right place at the right time."
The memorable drive was highlighted by a perfect deep ball from Leidner to K.J. Maye, a 38-yard hookup.
"We ran the stutter route and K.J. got behind him and we always talk about you have to have receivers step up and make big plays in critical moments and K.J. made a great play,” said Kill. “Mitch made a great throw, giving him a chance to catch the ball—it was a huge play.”
Leidner would eventually cap off the drive with a three-yard touchdown which was all the Gophers would need to leave victorious.
29 – The number of stud cornerback, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, who stripped the ball at the goal line with 1:19 left in the game. Minnesota recovered and needed just one first down to seal the game. In the first half, Boddy-Calhoun missed an easy interception and was looking for redemption.
“Dropping the interception, I held onto it until the ball was snapped the next play,” said Boddy-Calhoun. “I knew that I had to regroup and get myself back together because I had another half to play. Whenever I make a mistake, I try to make up for it and I kind of carried that as motivation throughout the game.”
54 – Years since Minnesota has beaten the Huskers in Lincoln. Always a difficult place to play, Kill was thrilled to finally win at Memorial Stadium.
“Right now I’m living the dream,” said Kill. “I grew up in the state of Kansas. Believe me, I’ve been to this stadium and things didn’t go so good. It’s unbelievable so I’m not going to tell you it doesn’t rank up there now. Having the opportunity to win here in Lincoln is very, very, very difficult to do and not very many people do that.”
Enough – Gopher fans in Memorial Stadium to start a loud “JERRY, JERRY, JERRY,” chant as the clock was winding down on Minnesota’s victory.
8 – Years that Jerry Kill projected it would take for his team to reach a point where they have a win-and-you’re-in scenario to the Big Ten Title.
“I know from our standpoint coming in four years ago, I would say that I was begging the administration that this whole process would take seven to eight years,” said Kill. “I think you all know, living in Minnesota, we still have a lot of work to do. We really do in a lot of areas to get where we want to be. I think it has happened a lot faster than I would certainly think.”
A fifth-year senior, Donnell Kirkwood has seen the exponential growth of this Minnesota team under Kill.
“It’s come a long way,” said Kirkwood of the program. “I was part of two 3-8 seasons. I’ve been a part of those seasons and being a part of this one now you can just see how a program develops and how guys buy-in.”
1 – Games left for the Gophers to win in order to make it to the Big Ten Championship. The only thing standing in the way is next Saturday’s trip to Madison.
"This is what we have been working for all year,” said Epping. “Whoever wins gets to go to the Big Ten Championship Game, and everyone is excited for it. We get to battle for the Axe. It's going to be a helluva game."
Once the victory over Nebraska was complete, the Gophers knew what was on the line against Wisconsin.
“We know what we’re playing for,” said Kirkwood. “As soon as the clock hit 0:00 we knew what we were playing for.”
The Gophers won’t need a pep talk to get ready for next week.
“There will be no motivational speeches,” said Kill. “I think we all know we’re battling for The Axe, for a championship. We’re going to Madison, it doesn’t get any better than that.”
By Grant Erickson and Travis Erickson
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/450056?referrer_id=388419
In one of the most memorable contests in recent history, Minnesota stormed back from 14 points down to top the Nebraska Cornhuskers, 28-24, at Memorial Stadium. The victory earned the Maroon and Gold a date with Bucky next week in Madison with Paul Bunyan’s Axe and a trip to the Big Ten Championship Game on the line. SKI. U. MAH.
By the Numbers
14 – Deficit that Minnesota faced at halftime. The Gophers were able to move the ball in the first half but couldn’t find the endzone. An early momentum swing was an 85-yard blocked field goal for a touchdown that gave the Huskers a 21-7 lead heading into the break. The Gophers knew that they made some mistakes in the first half but did find some success that they could build off.
"I thought guys were relaxed,” said Mitch Leidner who threw for 135 yards while rushing for 111 and two scores. “Coach Kill came in telling us how we are a relentless group and to keep fighting. We have been in this position before. Guys were not really concerned about it because of the way we were moving the ball early in the game.”
55 – Yards by Donnell Kirkwood and Rodrick Williams who filled in during the second half for an injured David Cobb.
“We lose, in my opinion, one of the best backs in the nation (David Cobb) and Donnell Kirkwood and Rodrick Williams stepped up,” said Jerry Kill. “We only had two running backs, our kids bowed up and we made plays at the end.”
Losing Cobb was a big blow to the offense, but Minnesota knew they had backups who were ready for the spotlight.
"It sucks at first,” said Zac Epping of Cobb’s injury. “He's a great back, the best running back on our team. When he came out we were still confident. We have a lot of great running backs. They stepped up and did a great job for us."
Williams scored a 19-yard touchdown on fourth-and-one while Kirkwood sealed the game with a late first down to run out the clock.
"Coach always harps on you never know what's going to happen,” said Kirkwood. “You get in and do your best job, and I just felt like today was an opportunity where I can know what I am doing out there even though I am limited in game time."
10 – Plays needed by Minnesota to drive 80 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with just 3:25 on the clock. On the drive, Leidner fumbled, but the ball fell right into the hands of Epping who rumbled for four extra yards.
“He saw me wide open and decided to pitch it to me so I grabbed it and got five yards out of it,” joked Epping. “Unfortunately, he fumbled it, but I was in the right place at the right time."
The memorable drive was highlighted by a perfect deep ball from Leidner to K.J. Maye, a 38-yard hookup.
"We ran the stutter route and K.J. got behind him and we always talk about you have to have receivers step up and make big plays in critical moments and K.J. made a great play,” said Kill. “Mitch made a great throw, giving him a chance to catch the ball—it was a huge play.”
Leidner would eventually cap off the drive with a three-yard touchdown which was all the Gophers would need to leave victorious.
29 – The number of stud cornerback, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, who stripped the ball at the goal line with 1:19 left in the game. Minnesota recovered and needed just one first down to seal the game. In the first half, Boddy-Calhoun missed an easy interception and was looking for redemption.
“Dropping the interception, I held onto it until the ball was snapped the next play,” said Boddy-Calhoun. “I knew that I had to regroup and get myself back together because I had another half to play. Whenever I make a mistake, I try to make up for it and I kind of carried that as motivation throughout the game.”
54 – Years since Minnesota has beaten the Huskers in Lincoln. Always a difficult place to play, Kill was thrilled to finally win at Memorial Stadium.
“Right now I’m living the dream,” said Kill. “I grew up in the state of Kansas. Believe me, I’ve been to this stadium and things didn’t go so good. It’s unbelievable so I’m not going to tell you it doesn’t rank up there now. Having the opportunity to win here in Lincoln is very, very, very difficult to do and not very many people do that.”
Enough – Gopher fans in Memorial Stadium to start a loud “JERRY, JERRY, JERRY,” chant as the clock was winding down on Minnesota’s victory.
8 – Years that Jerry Kill projected it would take for his team to reach a point where they have a win-and-you’re-in scenario to the Big Ten Title.
“I know from our standpoint coming in four years ago, I would say that I was begging the administration that this whole process would take seven to eight years,” said Kill. “I think you all know, living in Minnesota, we still have a lot of work to do. We really do in a lot of areas to get where we want to be. I think it has happened a lot faster than I would certainly think.”
A fifth-year senior, Donnell Kirkwood has seen the exponential growth of this Minnesota team under Kill.
“It’s come a long way,” said Kirkwood of the program. “I was part of two 3-8 seasons. I’ve been a part of those seasons and being a part of this one now you can just see how a program develops and how guys buy-in.”
1 – Games left for the Gophers to win in order to make it to the Big Ten Championship. The only thing standing in the way is next Saturday’s trip to Madison.
"This is what we have been working for all year,” said Epping. “Whoever wins gets to go to the Big Ten Championship Game, and everyone is excited for it. We get to battle for the Axe. It's going to be a helluva game."
Once the victory over Nebraska was complete, the Gophers knew what was on the line against Wisconsin.
“We know what we’re playing for,” said Kirkwood. “As soon as the clock hit 0:00 we knew what we were playing for.”
The Gophers won’t need a pep talk to get ready for next week.
“There will be no motivational speeches,” said Kill. “I think we all know we’re battling for The Axe, for a championship. We’re going to Madison, it doesn’t get any better than that.”
