OFFENSIVE MVP: MarQueis Gray, Gophers
He was a third-down specialist, taking five third-down snaps at quarterback and extending drives by picking up first downs four times. He caught three passes, too.
DEFENSIVE MVP: Troy Stoudermire, Gophers
The junior cornerback was beaten for a touchdown on a missed tackle but redeemed himself by causing a fumble that set up the Gophers' final clock-killing drive.
TURNING POINT
Iowa was attempting to come back one final time when tailback Marcus Coker was slammed by Stoudermire, dropping the ball, which Ryan Collado recovered. The Gophers converted on two third downs from there to run out the clock.
NUMBERS
2 Consecutive wins by the Gophers, remarkable considering they were 1-9 when they turned it around.
3 Third-down conversions in four fourth-quarter tries by Minnesota, making them 9-for-16 for the day.
11 Consecutive trophy-game losses by the Gophers until Saturday.
