Kirkwood, Rabe score TDs as Gophers show some new looks

The Gophers offense is evolving, and nowhere were their adjustments more evident than in MarQueis Gray's role. The quarterback, in the third start of his career, was assigned a series of short passes early in Saturday's 29-23 victory over Miami (Ohio) that enabled him to gain confidence and open up running lanes he exploited for 171 yards.

But Gray was hardly the only new wrinkle the Gophers tried. In fact, both of their offensive touchdowns were the result of plays or players the RedHawks had not seen on film.

Donnell Kirkwood was change No. 1. The tailback, who picked up 127 yards in three games last season before a hip injury sidelined him for the entire Big Ten schedule, was handed the ball for the first time this season on the first play of the second quarter Saturday.

He gained 4 yards to move the ball to the Miami 4-yard line -- so the Gophers gave it to him again. This time, the left side of the offensive line opened an enormous hole, and Kirkwood high-stepped into the end zone untouched, scoring the first touchdown of his career -- and giving the Gophers their first lead of the season.

"Donnell ran the ball hard in there," said coach Jerry Kill, "and we need that."

The Gophers also unveiled something different when they reached the Miami 2 at the start of the fourth quarter. They lined up in the power-I formation, with tight ends Drew Goodger and John Rabe lining up as fullbacks in front of Kirkwood. On the first snap in that formation, Kirkwood took a handoff and gained 1 yard.

But on the second play, Gray faked a handoff to Kirkwood while Rabe suddenly sidestepped to the right. Gray lobbed a pass to the junior, and Rabe knocked over a defender as he crossed the goal line, his first career touchdown on his first career reception.

Kill makes call on fourth-down play Kill largely left decision-making to his assistants, but he had a hand in one important call at the end of the game. The Gophers' final drive stalled at the RedHawks 34 with three minutes left in the game, and Kill decided to go for it on fourth-and-9.

The reason? The coach had doubts about the wisdom of kicking.

"If we [punted] the ball, the wind was swirling in the stadium. I didn't know how well we could set it down at that end," Kill said. "Kicking a field goal, I didn't feel good enough about that."

Chris Hawthorne had hit three field goals, but all were short -- 33, 19 and 26 yards, and "we're still learning about our kicking game," Kill said.

So he opted to call a pass play for Gray. But the Miami pass rush hounded Gray, and he threw the ball away, initially drawing a flag for intentional grounding before officials determined Duane Bennett was close enough to be considered a receiver.

Etc. • The Gophers recorded their first sack of the season when freshman defensive end Michael Amaefula smothered Miami quarterback Zac Dysert for a 4-yard loss. The Gophers, last in the nation in sacks in 2010, were the last Big Ten team to record one this year.

• One week after being held without a catch for the first time since 2009, tight end Eric Lair announced his presence with a 43-yard reception in the second quarter of Saturday's game.

• Senior cornerback Troy Stoudermire halted one Miami drive at the 10-yard line in the second quarter with his second interception in as many weeks.