Replay: Gophers 29, Miami (Ohio) 23

The recap: Jerry Kill returned to the sidelines to watch his team deliver the first victory of his Gophers career -- but only just barely. Minnesota gave up 126 yards of offense in the final 10 minutes, but safety Kim Royston knocked away a potential game-winning touchdown pass as the clock expired.

What was learned: Kill's staff is capable of preparing his team with little disruption when seizures strike the coach, and the Gophers are improving -- the offense moved the ball, the defense harassed the quarterback -- as the season progresses.

• Duane Bennett got the block, but it was fellow running back Lamonte Edwards who blocked Bennett's man and freed up the senior tailback to reach the punter in the fourth quarter. When the ball came down, it wound up in Bennett's hands for the game-changing touchdown.

• Donnell Kirkwood scored a touchdown on his second carry of the season and wound up with 55 yards on 13 carries, the most productive day of his career.

• Jerry Kill was shadowed by team physician Pat Smith on the sidelines during much of the game, and interns brought him water at every stoppage in play to keep him hydrated.

TV: Big Ten Network

Radio: 100.3-FM, 1130-AM

The skinny: The Bison are ranked sixth in the nation in the FCS and have outscored their two opponents this season 98-9. The Gophers have won eight of the nine previous meetings, but NDSU shocked Minnesota in the Metrodome in 2007, 27-21. The Bison are 4-3 against FBS teams since 2006, including a win over Kansas. Tailback Sam Ojuri averages 8.9 yards per carry and 120.0 per game, and quarterback Brock Jensen has completed 74 percent of his passes.