The Gophers and Ohio are tied 14-14 after an eventful first half at TCF Bank Stadium.
The Gophers lost starting safety Antonio Johnson (head) and left tackle Jonah Pirsig (shoulder) to injuries in the first half.
Ohio has had two leads -- 7-0 and 14-7 – but the Gophers came back to tie it both times.
Gophers quarterback Mitch Leidner is 10-for-12 for 113 yards, and he also scored the last touchdown of the half on a one-yard sneak.
The Gophers inserted true freshman running back Shannon Brooks late in the first quarter, and he gave the team a big spark. He carried three times for 71 yards on a touchdown drive, including a 40-yard beauty into the end zone. Brooks did a little shake-and-bake, making two defenders miss on the touchdown run.
But this is the first time all season the Gophers defense has looked shaky for an entire half. Two coverage breakdowns led to Ohio's first touchdown. And the Bobcats converted twice on third down and once on fourth down on their second touchdown drive.
The biggest concern for the Gophers is at safety, as they are already without starting standout Damarius Travis. Ace Rogers and Adekunle Ayinde were the safeties at the end of the half.
Foster Bush took Pirsig's spot at left tackle.
Linebacker Cody Poock also has been sidelined with some sort of injury.
