Minnesota's home opener is every bit as lop-sided as most observers predicted Saturday, with one cruel twist for the sizable TCF Bank Stadium crowd: It's the Gophers who are being dominated.
New Mexico State quarterback Andrew Manley completed his first 12 passes of the game, and the Aggies racked up 272 yards off offense before halftime, romping to a 21-14 lead over Minnesota.
Manley had 226 yards and three touchdowns through the air, while Gophers quarterback MarQueis Gray was intercepted twice.
The score could have been worse, but Gray managed a successful last-minute scoring drive just before halftime, connecting with tight end Collin McGarry on a 10-yard scoring pass with just eight seconds left in the half.
The Gophers' first touchdown came on a four-yard run by Duane Bennett.
Meanwhile, Manley had scoring passes of 26 yards and 41 yards to senior receiver Taveon Rogers, and a four-yard scoring completion to David Quiroga.
Gray played the entire half at quarterback, with no playing time yet for freshman Max Shortell.
Gophers score just before half, still trail 21-14
Gray throws two interceptions in first home start
September 11, 2011 at 5:08AM
Souhan: Aurora again experience a rare loss at a high cost, falling to Utah in USL W semifinals
The team has never lost a regular-season game yet has never won a championship. “God, it’s hard,” coach Jen Larrick said. “It’s really hard.”
