Gophers 28, Nebraska 24
The recap: The Cornhuskers led 21-7 at halftime, and the Gophers lost David Cobb (below) to a hamstring injury early in the third quarter. But Mitch Leidner led Minnesota back, and Briean Boddy-Calhoun sealed the win when he stripped the ball at the 2-yard line with 1:19 remaining.
What was learned: It was the biggest second-half deficit the Gophers have overcome since Oct. 9, 1993, when they trailed Purdue by 14 points in the third quarter but came back to win 59-56.
YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
• Fullback Miles Thomas made a big block to help spring Rodrick Williams on his 19-yard touchdown run, which came on fourth-and-1 with the Gophers trailing 24-14.
• Ryan Santoso had a 30-yard field goal blocked — and Nebraska returned it 85 yards for a touchdown. But the freshman had four touchbacks out of his five kickoffs, including a strong kick into the wind that forced Nebraska to start its final drive on the 25-yard line.
• Coach Jerry Kill praised Craig James for his job handling punts as a true freshman before 91,000 fans at Memorial Stadium. James handled two fair catches and set up a third-quarter touchdown with a 12-yard return to Nebraska's 35-yard line.
UP NEXT: Wisconsin
2:30 p.m., Saturday, Memorial Stadium
TV: BTN. Radio: 100.3-FM
Records: Gophers 8-3, 5-2 Big Ten, Wisconsin 9-2, 6-1
The skinny: After routing Nebraska 59-24, Wisconsin had to scratch out a 26-24 win at Iowa on Saturday. The Hawkeyes, who scored just 14 points against the Gophers, racked up 412 yards, the most Wisconsin has allowed this season. Iowa's Jake Rudock passed for 311 yards, but Melvin Gordon was terrific again for the Badgers. After rushing for a then-record 408 yards against Nebraska, he had 31 carries for 200 yards, including a dazzling 23-yard run that made it 26-17. Joel Stave hasn't had to throw much, as Wisconsin has reeled off six consecutive wins.
JOE CHRISTENSEN
