The Gophers played their season opener Thursday without senior offensive lineman Josh Campion, who had started all 39 games the previous three seasons.
Campion, an honorable-mention All-Big Ten selection last year, suffered a concussion during training camp, but the team had hoped he'd be ready for the opener.
Ben Lauer, who had surgery on his left knee early in camp, was able to start at left tackle but struggled during the first quarter. Terrell Lathan sped past Lauer to sack Mitch Leidner and force a fumble at the Gophers 18-yard line, setting up the Horned Frogs' first touchdown.
Two drives later, Lathan got by Lauer again, hurrying Leidner into an incomplete pass.
"Ben tried to play and couldn't play," coach Jerry Kill said. "When [Lathan] got the sack, [Lauer] did everything he could."
If the entire offensive line was healthy, Campion would have been the starting right guard, and he was prepared to move to left tackle if Lauer hadn't been ready to go.
Without Campion, the starting line went: Lauer (left tackle), Jon Christenson (left guard), Brian Bobek (center), Connor Mayes (right guard) and Jonah Pirsig (right tackle).
With Lauer struggling, the Gophers slid Pirsig to left tackle and inserted Foster Bush at right tackle in the second quarter.