GOPHERS REPLAY

Gophers 42, Indiana 39

The recap: The Gophers built a 35-13 lead, but Indiana reeled off the next 26 points. Philip Nelson hit Maxx Williams for a 50-yard touchdown, and then with 25 seconds remaining, the Hoosiers fumbled on a backward screen pass from the Gophers 9.

What was learned: The Gophers got lucky at the end but also won because of its playmakers. David Cobb rushed for 188 yards, and Nelson passed for 298 yards and four touchdowns.

YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:

• The Gophers scored a touchdown on their first drive, marking the first points they'd scored on an opening drive this season, and their first points on the opening drive of a Big Ten game since Nov. 19, 2011, at Northwestern.

• The Gophers improved to 13-0 in games they have led at halftime under coach Jerry Kill.

• The Hoosiers average 42 points per game, but the Gophers made them punt five consecutive times before Indiana reeled off four consecutive touchdowns. Acting head coach Tracy Claeys said the defense wore down in the second half before coming up with the big play at the end.

UP NEXT: VS. PENN STATE

11 a.m., Saturday, TCF Bank Stadium

TV: ESPN2 • Radio: 100.3-FM

Records: Gophers 7-2, 3-2 Big Ten; Penn State 5-3, 2-2

The skinny: True freshman Christian Hackenberg leads the Big Ten with 253 passing yards per game, and he's been clutch at home in overtime victories over Michigan and Illinois. But Penn State's past two road games were losses to Indiana (44-24) and Ohio State (63-14). Scholarship reductions from the Jerry Sandusky scandal have cut into Penn State's depth. Junior Bill Belton rushed for 201 yards against Illinois but lost a fumble late in regulation that almost cost the Nittany Lions the victory. Penn State trailed 17-14 before tying it with 41 seconds remaining.

JOE CHRISTENSEN