GOPHERS REPLAY

Gophers 51, Iowa 14

The recap: After the Hawkeyes drove for a touchdown on the game's first drive, the Gophers responded with 51 consecutive points. Mitch Leidner passed for four touchdowns, including three to Maxx Williams, in Minnesota's most lopsided win over Iowa since the 49-7 victory in 1998.

What was learned: And after getting dominated at the line of scrimmage in their two previous games against Iowa, the Gophers turned the tables. Leidner bounced back from a rough game at Illinois, completing 10 of 13 passes for 138 yards and adding 77 rushing yards.

YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:

• The game included just three penalties. The Gophers were flagged twice for 17 yards, and Iowa drew one penalty for 15 yards.

• The Gophers won the turnover battle 3-0. Since the start of last season, they are 15-1 when winning or tying the turnover battle and 0-6 when losing it.

• Six true freshmen recorded tackles for the Gophers: Jonathan Celestin (six), Everett Williams (two), Steven Richardson (two), Gary Moore (one), Gaelin Elmore (one) and Craig James (one).

UP NEXT: Ohio State

11 a.m. Saturday, TCF Bank Stadium

TV: Ch. 5. Radio: 100.3-FM

Records: Gophers 7-2, 4-1 Big Ten, Ohio State 8-1, 5-0

The skinny: The Buckeyes are trying to build a case to make the four-team College Football Playoff. But they didn't have a win against a Top 25 team before they knocked off then-No. 8 Michigan State 49-37 on Saturday. Urban Meyer is 32-3 in three seasons at Ohio State, but that was his first win there against a top-15 team. The Buckeyes are 9-0 under Meyer in November games. Ohio State ranks 26th nationally in scoring defense (21.8 points per game). The Gophers are 23rd in that category (21.3).

JOE CHRISTENSEN