offensive mvp

Philip Nelson, Gophers

The second half was dominated by unusual TDs — a kickoff return, a blocked FG and an interception return — but in the first half Nelson was pretty much all the offense Minnesota had. Nelson's 48-yard TD run gave the Gophers their first lead at 10-6, and his TD pass to Maxx Williams late in the half put Minnesota ahead for good at 16-13. Nelson added another TD run late to seal the game.

defensive mvp

Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Gophers

The final score read like a rout, but don't forget the game still hung in the balance early in the fourth quarter. Minnesota led 30-16, but UNLV was driving to move within a score. That's when Boddy-Calhoun stepped in front of a Nick Sherry pass and ran it back 89 yards for a touchdown.

by the numbers

5 Ways the Gophers scored touchdowns (rushing TD, passing TD, kickoff return, blocked FG return, INT return).

234 Yards of total offense for the Gophers with 4:12 remaining in the game.

420 Yards for UNLV at the same point in the game.

5-for-5 The teams' combined success on fourth-down plays (4-4 for the Rebels, 1-for-1 for the Gophers).

MICHAEL RAND