The Gophers were underdogs the last time Tracy Claeys took over for Jerry Kill. A look back at the first four games after Claeys became acting head coach in 2013:
Oct. 19 at Northwestern
Line: Northwestern by 12½
Final: Gophers 20, Wildcats 17
Note: Minnesota won the turnover battle 3-0, and James Manuel's interception return was the difference.
Oct. 26 vs. Nebraska
Line: Nebraska by 10
Final: Gophers 34, Cornhuskers 23
Notable: Minnesota won the turnover battle 2-0 and outgained Nebraska 430-328.
Nov. 2 at Indiana
Line: Indiana by 9
Final: Gophers 42, Hoosiers 39
Notable: Indiana drove late to the Minnesota 9-yard line but fumbled on a backward pass, recovered by Aaron Hill.
Nov. 9 vs. Penn State
Line: Gophers by 2-1/2
Final: Gophers 24, Penn State 10
Notable: All the scoring was done by halftime, as the Gophers defense held Christian Hackenberg to 163 yards passing.
JOE CHRISTENSEN
