The Gophers scored 35 unanswered points to take a stunning 35-7 lead into halftime. Some quick takeaways:

* Iowa went 3-for-3 on third down and scored on its first drive, but the Gophers came right back and scored on their first drive. KJ Maye started Minnesota's drive with a jet sweep to the left, drawing a late hit, and finished with a jet sweep to the left for a nine-yard TD. The Gophers kept running it, too, as Maye has six carries for a team-leading 53 yards.

* Gophers CB Eric Murray bounced back from a rough first drive to make a two key plays, helping the Gophers take the lead. He blitzed, forcing Rudock to hurry his pass on third down. The Hawkeyes were 5-for-5 on third down before that play. Then, Murray deflected Iowa's punt, which traveled just 14 yards, giving the Gophers the ball at the Iowa 44.

* Iowa scored on that first drive, but Minnesota's defense has stuffed the Hawkeyes since. The Gophers lead the turnover battle 3-0.

* Mitch Leidner hit Donovahn Jones for a 44-yard TD after the deflected punt. Leidner had an excellent first half, completing 7 of 9 passes for 106 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran seven times for 38 yards.

* Maxx Williams did it again. You think you've seen everything from this guy, and then he makes a play like he did, dragging his left toe before the sideline to make a key 25-yard pass on third down. That set up Minnesota's third touchdown, fittingly a nine-yard pass from Leidner to Williams. Williams had four catches for 43 yards and two touchdowns.

* Damien Wilson, the Big Ten's second-leading tackler, opened the game on the bench. True freshman Everett Williams started at middle linebacker for the Gophers and played the first two series. Wilson took the field with 10 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

* David Cobb has 11 carries for 50 yards and a TD.