![Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams ran for 27 yards during the second touchdown in the end zone during the second quarter in the opening game against Eastern Illinois at TCF Bank Stadium, Thursday, August 28, 2014 in Minneapolis, MN. ] (ELIZABETH FLORES/STAR TRIBUNE) ELIZABETH FLORES � eflores@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/UJPEVTNWXMUITU23WCNECSIK5Y.jpg?&w=1080)
The Gophers took a 14-0 lead into the locker room at halftime against Eastern Illinois at TCF Bank Stadium.
Mitch Leidner got off to a shaky start for the Gophers as they punted twice and fumbled once on their first three drives.
But Eastern Illinois botched two snaps, with the first one derailing its first drive and the second one giving Minnesota the ball at the Panthers' 5-yard line.
On third-and-goal, Leidner scrambled for a 2-yard touchdown run.
Minnesota's defense kept holding strong, and then Leidner led the Gophers on a 90-yard touchdown drive late in the half. He found Maxx Williams for a 25-yard gain and then hit Donovahn Jones, who shook a defender and raced 35 yards for a touchdown.
Leidner completed his final five passes of the half. He was 7-for-12 overall for 100 yards.
David Cobb had eight carries for 47 yards.
The Gophers had two defensive tackles get hurt in the first half -- Scott Ekpe and Yoshoub Timms. Throw in Michael Amaefula, who hasn't played, and that's three defensive linemen injured.
