OFFENSIVE MVP

Donnell Kirkwood, Gophers

The RB carried 28 times for 152 yards, setting a career high in rushing yards for the second time in three weeks. He also scored the only two touchdowns in the game -- a tiebreaking plunge in the third quarter and a game-clinching 12-yard scamper on third down late in the fourth quarter.

DEFENSIVE MVP

Mike Rallis, Gophers

The senior linebacker, wearing the rotating No. 51 jersey in honor of former teammate Gary Tinsley, stood out on a defensive group that was stout all day. Rallis finished with nine tackles (including one for a loss) and forced a key fumble in the fourth quarter that helped Minnesota ice the game and a bowl trip.

BY THE NUMBERS

1 Big Ten road wins for Jerry Kill.

34:26 Time of possession for the ground-heavy Gophers offense.

2009 The last time the Gophers had been bowl-eligible.