EVANSTON, Ill. -- It took awhile for the Gophers to figure out how to slow down Northwestern's up-tempo offense Saturday, and by the time they did, the Wildcats had scored three first-quarter touchdowns.
But Minnesota held Northwestern scoreless in the second period, and headed to halftime at Ryan Field trailing, 21-10.
The Wildcats, seeking bowl eligibility with a victory, needed only 86 seconds to reach the end zone for the first time, taking a 7-0 lead on a 7-yard pass from Dan Persa to Kain Colter. Minnesota responded with an equally quick drive, going 66 yards in just 2:25, with MarQueis Gray bulling his way into the end zone on a 5-yard scoring rush.
But Northwestern's next two drives, aided by great field position -- the Wildcats started in Gophers territory both times, thanks to a long kick return and a 9-yard punt -- were almost as effortless, and the Gophers couldn't keep up. They hurt themselves with a mental error, too, defending two straight plays with only 10 men on the field, the latter of them a 28-yard touchdown pass from Persa to Demetrius Fields.
The Gophers finally found a way to stop the Wildcats in the second period. Minnesota safety Kim Royston picked off a Persa pass to kill one drive -- the Gophers' first interception since Troy Stoudermire's pick against Miami (Ohio), back in mid-September -- and the Gophers forced Northwestern to punt away their next two drives.
Minnesota kicker Jordan Wettstein kicked a 28-yard field goal in the second quarter to pull the Gophers within 11 points at halftime.