Gophers show some resilience

The Gophers improved to 19-0 under coach Jerry Kill when leading at halftime Saturday.

They didn't make it easy on themselves.

The Gophers survived some tense moments to hold off Northwestern 24-17 to improve to 5-1, 2-0 in the Big Ten.

This was a huge win for the Gophers coming off an emotional victory at Michigan. They needed to show that they could build on that win and create some momentum for the program. They should be favored in their next two games too -- Purdue and Illinois.

The Gophers defense gave up two 16-yard scoring drives; a 97-yard TD drive and a fourth-and-10 conversion late in the game.

But the Gophers defense held when it mattered most.

Kill's team deserves credit for not folding after Northwestern went 97 yards for a game-tying touchdown. The drive included a roughing the passer penalty on cornerback Briean Boddy-Calhoun on third-and-goal from the 10. Boddy-Calhoun came on blitz and jumped as Northwestern quarterback Trevor Siemian released the ball.

If that long drive staggered the Gophers, it didn't last long.

Jalen Myrick took the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown to give the Gophers a 24-17 lead. Myrick benefitted from great blocking and he used his speed – coaches and players say he's the fastest player on the team – to outrun everyone to the end zone.