ORLANDO -- Missouri leads the Gophers 10-7 at halftime of the Citrus bowl. A few takeaways:
* First of all – the fans. From his view on the field, Star Tribune photographer Jerry Holt estimates that there are at least 15,000 Gophers fans here. Minnesota's contingent is much bigger and louder than Missouri's.
* It was 72 degrees at kickoff. Mostly cloudy.
* The yardage is even 184-184, but it was a tail of two quarters. The Gophers outgained Missouri 143-28 in the first quarter, and Missouri outgained Minnesota 156-41 in the second.
* Mitch Leidner has completed 11 of 12 passes for 96 yards.
* Maty Mauk threw interceptions to end Missouri's first two drives. Derrick Wells tracked down Mauk's errant heave to end the first drive. Then, when Mauk took a shot to the end zone for Darius White, and Briean Boddy-Calhoun pulled it right out of White's hands. It was much like Boddy-Calhoun's strip of De'Mornay Pierson-El to seal the win at Nebraska.
* Leidner fumbled on Minnesota's first possession when he got swarmed by Missouri's standout defensive ends Shane Ray and Markus Golden. But the Gophers went 11 plays and 80 yards for a touchdown on their second drive. Rodrick Williams capped it with a 20-yard TD run.
* Ray has been limping. Potential Top 5 NFL pick does not appear to be at full strength.