The Gophers went 8-4 during the regular season, but what happens if Briean Boddy-Calhoun doesn't strip the ball from De'Mornay Pierson-El at Nebraska? What if Jalen Myrick takes a knee in the end zone, instead of taking that kickoff return to the house against Northwestern?

All told, the Gophers had 1,852 plays, counting offense, defense and special teams. But these were the ones — good and bad — that had the biggest impact on their season, steering them toward their Jan. 1 matchup with Missouri in the Citrus Bowl:

The injury

Sept. 6, Minneapolis

The Gophers led Middle Tennessee State 35-17 early in the fourth quarter. Leidner, who had a shaky season opener and was just finding his groove, took a hit from Leighton Gasque on his left knee as he released a pass. Leidner suffered a sprained MCL and added a turf toe injury the next week at TCU. He missed just one game, against San Jose State. But the sophomore's development might have gone smoother if he didn't have to contend with these injuries.

The drive

Sept. 27, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Tied 7-7, the Gophers got the ball at their own 1-yard line late in the first half at Michigan. The Wolverines quickly forced third-and-5, but Lincoln Plsek made a leaping catch on Leidner's throw for a critical 21-yard gain. David Cobb took over from there with runs of 14, 8 and 20, along with an 11-yard reception. Ryan Santoso hit a 24-yard field goal as time expired in the half, and the Gophers never looked back, winning the Little Brown Jug for the first time since 2005.

The return

Oct. 11, Minneapolis

Northwestern had just driven 97 yards for the tying touchdown, and Jerry Kill had just slammed his headset to the ground in disgust with the officials. It was halfway through the fourth quarter. Minnesota was desperate for a lift. Myrick, a sophomore cornerback from Bloomingdale, Ga., caught the kickoff two steps behind the goal line and didn't hesitate. He veered diagonally through a huge hole, made a cut, got a big block from Antonio Johnson and showed his sprinter's speed down the sideline, electrifying the crowd. The Gophers held on for a 24-17 win.

The fumble

Oct. 25, Champaign, Ill.

After the Gophers fell behind 14-0 at Illinois, Cobb gave them a fourth-quarter lead with a 13-yard touchdown run after a 67-yard run. Like he'd done so many times the past two seasons, Cobb put the whole team on his back. But with the Gophers closing in on their first 4-0 Big Ten start since 1967, T.J. Neal stripped the ball from Cobb, and V'Angelo Bentley returned the fumble 12 yards for the winning touchdown. The Gophers were devastated, especially Cobb, but the team had a bye the following week, and righted itself for November.

The catch

Nov. 8, Minneapolis

Iowa trailed 14-7 but nearly forced Minnesota to punt about halfway through the second quarter. On third-and-7, Leidner appeared to overthrow Williams toward sideline. Williams made a sprawling catch, but at first glance, it looked like he was way out of bounds. But the officials reviewed it. Anyone watching the replay had to be stunned to see Williams drag his left toe in bounds. That first down led to a Leidner-to-Williams touchdown pass, one of three on the day, as the Gophers rolled to a 51-14 win.

The strip

Nov. 22, Lincoln, Neb.

The Gophers overcame a 14-point halftime deficit and Cobb's hamstring injury to take a 28-24 lead at Nebraska. But the Cornhuskers drove down the field and had the ball at Minnesota's 30, with 1:12 remaining. Pierson-El made a leaping catch at the 5 and was stumbling toward the end zone, but Boddy-Calhoun snatched the ball from him. Pierson-El had stepped out of bounds before catching the ball — a penalty — so it wouldn't have been a touchdown. But Boddy-Calhoun stopped the drive, averting a serious threat, preserving Minnesota's first win at Nebraska since 1960.

The breakdown

Nov. 29, Madison, Wis.

Cobb's return from injury helped the Gophers jump to a 17-3 lead at Wisconsin in the battle to decide the Big Ten West. Knowing how tough it'd be to stop Melvin Gordon, the Gophers knew they couldn't let anyone else beat him. But on third-and-8, Joel Stave found receiver Alex Erickson wide open for a 70-yard gain, setting up a touchdown. The play clock expired before the snap, but the referees didn't catch it, and the Gophers had themselves to blame for a coverage breakdown. Wisconsin scored 24 consecutive points and won 34-24, dashing Minnesota's Big Ten title dreams.

The sting of that loss is fueling the Gophers in their preparation for the Citrus Bowl.