Golden Gophers rushing attack buries Rams

Despite a fourth quarter rally from Colorado State, the University of Minnesota held on for a 31-24 win. The Golden Gophers from the Big Ten remained undefeated while the Rams fell to 2-2 as they enter Mountain West play next week.

CSU got off to a rough start on offense, going three and out. After the Rams defense forced Minnesota to punt on their first possession, quarterback Collin Hill and the running backs put together what looked like the game’s first scoring drive. However, Hill was picked off deep in Minnesota territory.

Mitch Leidner then marched his offense 94 yards for the game’s first touchdown. The Golden Gophers converted three third downs on the drive, which ended in a Leidner 6-yard run.

CSU would answer though with their own impressive scoring drive. Head coach Mike Bobo kept the ball on the ground and Marvin Kinsey Jr. motored 18 yards down the sideline for a rushing touchdown.

The second quarter was all Minnesota. On a 9-play, 75-yard drive, the Gophers regained the lead with a 5-yard rushing touchdown by Rodney Smith, making the score 14-7.

Later in the quarter, the Rams quarterback got drilled by Tai’yon Devers. Hill’s helmet came off and the true freshman fumbled, leaving Minnesota in prime field position. The Rams defense held though, limiting the Golden Gophers offense to three points.

It looked as though CSU had a chance to narrow the lead late in the half when Leidner was intercepted by Braylin Scott, who notched his third interception in as many games. But Wyatt Bryan missed a 46-yard field goal, keeping the score 17-7 at halftime.

But on their first possession of the second half, the Rams would get to within three points. Faton Bauta, Kinsey and Hill racked up yards on the ground. The touchdown drive was completed with a 2-yard run from Detrich Clark.

Minnesota then put together what was arguably the most impressive drive of the game, going 76 yards in just four plays. Shannon Brooks got into the end zone on a 9-yard touchdown run, pushing the score to 24-14.

The Rams got a late third quarter field goal from Bryan to keep them in the game at 24-17.

Smith then put an exclamation point on a Minnesota 11-play, 81-yard touchdown drive that took five and a half minutes off the clock. But Hill and the Rams offense punched back thanks in part to a fake punt and Hayden Hunt completion to Scott that went for 29 yards.

Hill connected with Michael Gallup for a 15-yard touchdown, making it 31-24.

After a defensive stop, the Rams offense got the ball back with a little more than four minutes to go in the game. CSU managed to record two first downs, but turned the ball over on downs following a pass breakup of Hill.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Braylin Scott had his third interception of the season and also had a momentum-changing 29-yard catch on a fake punt in the fourth quarter that set up a touchdown.

PLAY OF THE GAME

It’s got to be the fake punt. Bobo mentioned during the week that his team might need a big play out of special teams and he got it.

TURNING POINT

CSU limiting Minnesota to just three points at the end of the first half turned out to be huge.

BY THE NUMBERS

243 – Rushing yards for Minnesota, compared to just 158 for the Rams

0 – Combined catches for receivers Elroy Masters Jr. and Xavier Williams

80 – The completion percentage for Leidner on the day. Hill, on the other hand, completed just 50 percent of his passes.

LASTING IMPACT

It’s about wins and losses, but this was a major step forward for CSU. However, it will be worth watching the status of center Jake Bennett, who left the game with an injury.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Rams return home for the next two weeks, starting with the Border War. It will be the final matchup at Hughes Stadium between Wyoming and CSU. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m.