Halftime: Colorado State leads slow-starting Gophers 7-6

FORT COLLINS, COLO. -- The Gophers trail Colorado State 7-6 at halftime. It could be much worse for Minnesota if not for its defense.

Colorado State grabbed a 7-0 lead less than four minutes into the game, overcoming an early interception by Briean Boddy-Calhoun.

Ryan Santoso has hit field goals of 35 and 50 yards for the Gophers.

The Gophers were abysmal offensively for the first quarter-and-a-half.

They didn't get a first down on their first six drives. Mitch Leidner was 2-for-9 for 10 yards in that stretch, and the Gophers had 11 rushes for just 18 yards.

But after being pinned at their 2-yard line, the Gophers came alive, driving 73 yards to set up Santoso's first field goal.

The defense, meanwhile, made Colorado State go three-and-out on four conseuctive drives before the half.

INJURY UPDATES

Left guard Jon Christenson left the game with a right knee injury.

Running back Rodney Smith came out but the injury was minor, with something in his eye.

Tight end Brandon Lingen went through the concussion protocol but it looks like he could return.