Gophers safety Cedric Thompson was named Big Ten defensive player of the week on Monday, after making two key interceptions in Saturday's 39-38 victory over Purdue. Thompson returned Austin Appleby's first pass to the 2-yard line, setting up a quick touchdown. And the second interception sealed the win.

Gophers freshman Ryan Santoso was named Big Ten special teams player of the week after hitting two field goals, including the 52-yard game-winner.

JOE CHRISTENSEN

Gophers men stay No. 1 in hockey

The Gophers held onto the No. 1 ranking through their bye week. No. 2 Union stole several first-place votes after sweeping Maine on the road, last weekend, but the Gophers enter a third week in the top spot. North Dakota, Colgate and Providence round out the USCHO poll's top five. St. Cloud State remains at No. 8 after a bye week and travels to Union this weekend. Minnesota State Mankato dropped a spot to No. 13 after splitting a home-and-home series with Minnesota Duluth. The Bulldogs jumped one spot to No. 19. Bemidji State (1-1-0) is unranked entering the Friday-Saturday series against the Gophers at Mariucci Arena, but received votes after defeating then-No. 2 North Dakota in its season opener.

JASON GONZALEZ

Gophers women move up to No. 1

The Gophers women's hockey team reclaimed No. 1 in the polls after a weekend sweep at Wisconsin. The Badgers entered the border battle ranked No. 1 after the Gophers tied Minnesota Duluth in Week 2, setting up a No. 1 vs. 2 showdown. The Gophers won the series opener 4-1, but required overtime for the sweep.

The Gophers host No. 9 North Dakota this weekend at Ridder Arena.

JASON GONZALEZ

Concussion suit filed in St. Paul

The consolidated class-action lawsuit by former NHL players against the league over concussion-related injuries was filed in federal court in St. Paul.

Attorneys for the ex-players filed the complaint Monday in Minnesota. The case had been assigned to U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson. It's a combination of several lawsuits previously filed.

Former North Star Reed Larson, former North Dakota and Warroad standout Dave Christian, former Minnesota Duluth star Michael Peluso, Dan LaCouture, Gary Leeman and Bernie Nicholls are the ex-players serving as six class representatives. They are seeking a jury trial for unspecified financial damages and NHL-funded medical monitoring for neurological disorders.

STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS