COLLEGE PARK, MD. -- The Gophers weren't the only team playing their backup quarterback Saturday, as they went to halftime with a 14-0 lead over Maryland.
Maryland starter Perry Hills injured his shoulder last week against Penn State. Terps coach D.J. Durkin had said he thought Hills would play, but true freshman Tyrrell Pigrome got the start instead.
Pigrome, who was Alabama's Gatorade Player of the Year, had played in Maryland's first five games. He completed six of 12 passes for 36 yards, with most of those completions coming on bubble screens.
With Mitch Leidner out with a concussion, Conor Rhoda, showed off his strong arm, completing four of nine passes for 61 yards.
The Gophers relied heavily on Rodney Smith (12 carries, 60 yards, 1 TD) and Shannon Brooks (12 carries, 52 yards, one receiving TD).
Pigrome struggled early, as KiAnte Hardin made his second interception in two weeks.
The Gophers got a big break early in the second quarter, when Will Likely, Maryland's two-time All-Big Ten selection, muffed a punt. True freshman Thomas Barber recovered at the Maryland 16-yard line. Smith then made a nifty spin move, and raced to the end zone for an eight-yard touchdown.
The Gophers added a touchdown late in the half, when Rhoda hung on against the blitz, took a huge hit from two Maryland defenders, but got the ball to Brooks on a screen pass. Brooks turned and dashed into the end zone for the 17-yard touchdown.
