Written by BTN.com staffMinnesota ran for 67 yards in the quarter, and the Golden Gophers lead 7-3 at the end of the first quarter. Western Michigan got on the scoreboard first, rattling off a 10-play, 61-yard drive that ended in a score when Andrew Haldeman kicked a 35-yard field goal.
MarQueis Gray’s 10-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Barker gave Minnesota the lead, 7-3, and was the final play of a three-play, eight-yard drive. The Golden Gophers began the drive with good field position after Michael Carter intercepted Alex Carder’s pass.
The Broncos have possession at their own 33-yard line to start the second quarter.
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Why you should watch: The Golden Gophers have a chance to move to 3-0 for the first time since a 4-0 start in 2008. And a win over the Broncos would equal Minnesota’s victory total for all of 2011. By the way: Jerry Kill and Western Michigan coach Bill Cubit met three times in the MAC, and Kill went 2-1.
Keep an eye on: The Minnesota defense. The formerly toothless unit ranks second overall in the Big Ten (258.0 ypg). The big plays are back, with the Gophers ranking third in the Big Ten in tackles for loss and sacks. NT Ra’Shede Hageman is looking like a beast.
Key matchup: Gopher defensive line vs. Western Michigan QB Alex Carder. The Minnesota front has shown life this season, notching six sacks in two games after totaling 22 in 2011. Carder is proficient in the Broncos’ spread attack. The Gophers must get pressure.
Key number: 139.5, passing yards per game allowed by the Gophers. That ranks first in the Big Ten and 12th in the nation. Minnesota has allowed one touchdown pass. And Minnesota already has four picks, equaling its total from all of last season. S Derrick Wells has been a star.
Key note: MarQueis Gray ranks first in the Big Ten in passing efficiency (171.6). Last season, he ranked 11th in efficiency (114.5).
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#Gophers
@rreetz Russ Reetz, Savage, MN
Excited to see #Gophers Coach Kill speak at the PL rotary today.
@TheGopherReport The Gopher Report
Weekend full of hoops in MN. EYBL comes to High Performance Academy and @jpmacura makes an unofficial visit to Minnesota on Sunday #Gophers
@GopherHole GopherHole.com, University of Minnesota
Per Shooter: Coach Jerry Kill's #Gophers administrative assistant Rachel Lee, is leaving after 5 years to join Marty Davis' Cambria company.
@krallas Andrew
The energy in #HPPavilion is insane right now. I'm fairly certain The X has NEVER been this loud. Not even for #Gophers National Champ Game.
@clairemarie_2 Claire Breitenstein
100 days until welcome week! @JaneSchmanski So excited to move in and be #gophers (:
I know a lot of people have already asked this question already, but I would really like someone’s opinion and answers based on my personal information.
So, I have my first swim meet on Saturday and I’m a little scared. I’m not a very good swimmer, I’ve never done any sort of competitive swimming nor have I ever really timed myself (in other words: I don’t know how fast I am). I go to swim practice regularly, but only once a week. I’ve been doing so for 5 1/4 months. Before those five and a quarter months, I could barely swim 25 meters. I can swim up to 100 meters (at a relatively slow pace) before a tired feeling comes on.
And so, as a recap: I’ve had very little practice and can only swim up to 50 meters at an okay-ish sort of pace. Do you think I’ll look stupid being at that swim meet?!
Thank you!