The Gophers played a nearly flawless first half to sprint to a 35-7 lead at intermission. Everything went right: offense, defense, special teams, coaching decisions.

Here are three key developments that contributed to their first-half dominance:

Turnovers

Every coach preaches turnover-ratio, and the Gophers finished the first half at plus-3 on an interception by Briean Boddy-Calhoun and two fumble recoveries.

A sack-strip by freshman defensive tackle Steven Richardson on quarterback Jake Rudock late in the second quarter gave the Gophers starting field position at Iowa's 22.

That set up another touchdown on Davis Cobb's 6-yard run and a 28-7 lead.

Aggressive play-calling

The Gophers coaching staff showed creativity and aggressiveness in play-calling. With the score still close in the second quarter, defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys called back-to-back corner blitzes for Eric Murray and it worked effectively. Murray caused an incompletion on a quarterback hit and then forced a quick throw short of the first down marker on the second one.

Star Tribune, Star Tribune
Donovahn Jones caught a pass for a touchdown despite pressure from Iowa’s defensive back Desmond King in the second quarter Saturday,

Offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover incorporated Jet Sweeps with KJ Maye, who hurt Iowa on the edge and rushed for 53 yards on six carries in the half.

Limegrover also showed confidence in Leidner after Murray's deflection caused a 14-yard punt. On first down, Limegrover – at Leidner's suggestion — called a play-action pass. Leidner connected with Donovahn Jones for a 44-yard touchdown.

Jerry Kill also deserves credit for having his team focused and ready to play after a disappointing loss at Illinois.

Stopping the run

Iowa's powerful tailback, Mark Weisman, pounded the Gophers for 147 yards on 24 carries last season. He rolled up 177 yards rushing against them in 2012, including 155 in the first half.

Weisman averaged 7.2 yards per carry in those two games, both victories.

On Saturday, the Gophers held him to 20 yards on 13 carries in the first half. He finished with 21 yards total and averaged only 1.5 yards per carry.

The Gophers controlled the line and swarmed Weisman before he got a head of steam.

CHIP SCOGGINS