GOPHERS REPLAY Michigan 33, Gophers 10

The recap: For the first time in coach P.J. Fleck's inaugural season at Minnesota, the Gophers were dominated, giving up 366 rushing yards to Michigan on a stormy night in Ann Arbor that forced kickoff to be delayed 48 minutes. Karan Higdon rushed for 200 yards and Chris Evans had 191 as the Wolverines (7-2, 4-2 Big Ten) were in control from the start. While the Gophers defense was shredded to the tune of 8.5 yards per play, the offense struggled mightily after a decent first quarter. Minnesota (4-5, 1-5) had 112 yards through the first quarter, but that total was down to 105 after three quarters as Michigan had 13 tackles for loss, including 6½ by defensive back Khaleke Hudson.

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Tale of two offenses: How thorough was Michigan's domination? The Wolverines finished with 427 yards, but only 5 of those were in the fourth quarter. Through the first three quarters, Michigan gained 422 yards on 41 plays, an average of 10.3. Conversely, the Gophers offense was shut down after a 112-yard first quarter. Through the final three quarters, the Gophers gained 52 yards on 39 plays, an average of 1.3.

Getting points: With his team down 33-7 and facing fourth-and-4 from the Michigan 5-yard-line with 1:55 to go, Fleck sent Emmit Carpenter in to kick a 23-yard field goal. His reasoning? "It was fourth-and-4. We weren't able to get a few yards the prior play, so I figured I'd kick the field goal,'' he said. "Come away with points somehow, some way.''

McCrary injured: Gophers running back Kobe McCrary suffered a neck injury while recovering his own fumble on a kickoff return late in the third quarter. After the game, Fleck said McCrary was taken off site to be examined but would return to the Twin Cities on the team plane. "He was moving all his limbs, moving his legs and arms, so I don't think it was anything that serious.''

Up next: Nebraska

11 a.m. Saturday, TCF Bank Stadium (FS1)

The skinny: Nebraska (4-5, 3-3) dropped below .500 with a 31-24 overtime loss to Northwestern on Saturday. It was the Cornhuskers' fourth loss in six home games this season. Nebraska led 24-17 after three quarters, only to see the Wildcats tie it with 5:32 left in the fourth. In overtime, Northwestern scored first and then sacked Huskers quarterback Tanner Lee on second down and batted away his fourth-down pass. "Had an opportunity to win and let that slip away and couldn't respond in overtime," embattled Huskers coach Mike Riley said. Nebraska struggled in the run game, gaining only 112 yards on 31 carries. JD Spielman, a sophomore from Eden Prairie, rushed twice for 45 yards, including a 40-yarder; caught three passes for 48 yards; and had 102 yards on five kickoff returns.

Gophers running back Kobe McCrary was helped off the field in the third quarter.

Randy Johnson