Gophers 58, Indiana State 28

The recap: Mitch Leidner matched a career high with four touchdown passes, Kobe McCrary rushed for 176 yards, and Drew Wolitarsky added a career-high 125 receiving yards. The Gophers built a 41-7 lead but played their starters into the fourth quarter.

What was learned: McCrary, a transfer from Butler Community College in Kansas, showed off his vision and cutting ability. He's a legitimate third option to go with Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks. Dividing their playing time might be tough, but that's a good problem to have.

YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:

• Linebacker Carter Coughlin and cornerback Coney Durr became the fifth and sixth Gophers true freshmen to play this season, joining Kamal Martin, Tyler Johnson, Tai'yon Devers and Antoine Winfield.

• The Gophers unveiled their new helmet stickers, which were awarded based on Game 1 performances. The stickers are rectangular, with the word "Gold Standard."

• With the game decided, the Gophers inserted — not James Johannesson or Jonathan Femi-Cole — junior college transfer Carlton Djam. He had seven carries for 33 yards. "He's done better," coach Tracy Claeys said. "The kid's practiced well, practiced hard, and so that's how that's been determined."

• All three Indiana State TD passes went to Robert Tonyan, a 6-5, 220-pound senior who's being touted as an NFL prospect. "There's no 6-5 [defensive backs] running around," Claeys said. "So any time you get a guy who's got some height, if he catches the ball well enough, he's going to create problems."

UP NEXT: Colorado State

Time TBA, Sept. 24, TCF Bank Stadium

TV: TBA. Radio: 100.3-FM

Records: Gophers 2-0, Colorado State 1-1

The skinny: The kickoff time and TV coverage plans are expected Monday. … The Gophers needed overtime to defeat Colorado State 23-20 last year in Fort Collins. The Rams finished 7-6. … Second-year coach Mike Bobo's team opened this season by getting pounded 44-7 by Colorado. The Rams defeated Texas-San Antonio 23-14 on Saturday, but Bobo admitted the team has major QB issues. Colorado State will try to resolve them Saturday at Northern Colorado before coming to Minnesota.

JOE CHRISTENSEN