It’s time to go bowling.
Minnesota (6-5, 4-4 B1G) travelled to The Friendly Confines to take on Northwestern (6-5, 4-4 B1G) in its second game of the Wrigley series. Despite more red and yellow in the crowd,
NU got the job done in a thriller.
For the Wildcats, Preston Stone had his best game of the season going 25-of-30 passing for 305 yards and two touchdowns. Caleb Komolafe had a career day with 22 carries for 129 rushing yards and two total touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving). Griffin Wilde and Hayden Eligon IV each had career days, the former catching 11 passes for 111 yards and a score, the latter going seven for 127.
As for The Golden Gophers, Drake Lindsey also had a career day, going 20-of-30 passing for 264 yards and a career-high four passing touchdowns. Darius Taylor had 43 rushing yards and a touchdown on 10 carries while adding on six receptions for 37 yards. Javon Tracy led his team in receiving yards on a four catch, 87-yard, three touchdown day. Koi Perich was also a bright spot for Minnesota as he led his team with 10 tackles while also totaling 242 all purpose yards on special teams (230 kickoff return yards, 12 punt return yards.)
Minnesota won the coin toss, choosing to defer to the second half. Northwestern’s first drive began at its own 25-yard line. On the first play, Stone’s pass was incomplete to Eligon on a roll-out to the right as Eligon was unable to get up, leading to the first timeout of the game. The score was 0-0 as evident with just eight seconds elapsed.
Out of the early timeout, Stone handed to Komolafe for a gain of 4 on second down. Stone lined up in an empty shotgun set on third down, finding Wilde on a short out-route to the left sideline that went for a first down. A false start penalty pushed the ‘Cats 5 yards back, but Stone found Wilde for a gain of 17 and a first down on a slant route. On second down after a 4 yard rush, Northwestern went back to the ground as Komolafe found the hole and scampered into the end zone untouched for a 46-yard rushing touchdown. Jack Olsen put the extra point through to give Northwestern a 7-0 lead with 12:05 to go in the first quarter.
Perich fielded the ensuing kickoff as he was taken down on the Minnesota 24 yard line. Lindsey handed to Taylor on first down, who was met at the line of scrimmage by Brayden Brus. On second down, the Golden Gophers ran a screen to Taylor, who gained 9. On third-and-1, Minnesota was flagged for a false start, pushing it back 5 yards to a third-and-6. On that play, Lindsey was sacked by Michael Kilbane as he beat Marcellus Mitchell. The Golden Gophers were forced to punt, as the ball sailed out of bounds 48 yards down the field to Northwestern’s 33-yard line. The ‘Cats led 7-0 with 9:34 as they would get the ball back.
On the Wildcats’ second drive, Stone’s throw to Wilde was wiped away from a holding call against Caleb Tiernan, pushing NU back to a first-and-20. Stone kept the ball on a read option as he picked up 5 on first down. On second down, he found Wilde for a gain of 7 to make it third-and-9. On that play, Northwestern had its second false start penalty of the game, pushing it back to a third-and-12. Stone connected with Hunter Welcing to make it a fourth-and-1. Lawson Albright took the snap under center as he ran the ball 6 yards for a first down.
On their own 46 yard line, the Wildcats gave it to Joseph Himon II for his first touch of the day and a gain of 6. Now in Minnesota territory, the ‘Cats ran a flea flicker that ended in disaster as Stone was flagged for intentional grounding. Now on third-and-14, Stone connected with Wilde once again for his fourth catch and a first down, despite Jai’Onte’ McMillan being flagged for pass interference. After a loss of 1, an offsides on Minnesota gave NU a second-and-6. On that second down, Minnesota’s Kerry Brown was flagged for defensive pass interference while guarding Wilde, giving NU a first-and-10 from the Minnesota 26-yard line.
Ryan Boe came into the game on second down as his pass was incomplete to Eligon, who was back after the earlier injury. On third-and-9, Stone layered a throw across the middle between defenders to find Eligon for a gain of 22 yards and a first down. Matt Kingsbury almost had the interception, but instead Northwestern was in a goal-to-go situation. On second down, Stone’s pass to Eligon in the end zone was incomplete, and the receiver was flagged for offensive pass interference. After an incomplete pass to Ricky Ahumaraeze, Olsen came to kick a 34-yard field goal. He drilled it close to the left hash as the ‘Cats led 10-0 with 51 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Up to this point, Northwestern had six penalties against itself, while Minnesota had three.
Perich received his second kickoff of the game, this time bringing it all the way to the Northwestern 5-yard line after a 93-yard return. Taylor ran the ball for a gain of 2 on first down as the clock ran out on the first quarter. The Wildcats held a 10-0 lead with Minnesota in close striking distance.
Opening up the second quarter, the Golden Gophers had a second-and-goal from the Northwestern 3-yard line. Taylor was stopped behind the line for a loss of 2 to set up a third-and-goal from the 5-yard line. Lindsey took the snap and rolled out to his right, finding Taylor for a gain of 4 yards to make it a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. The officials went to review the play to se if Taylor had scored, but the play was upheld as the ball was placed at the half-yard-line. On fourth down, Taylor received the pitch and ran into the end zone with no defenders in sight before Brady Denaburg converted on the extra point. With 13:35 to go in the second quarter, Minnesota trailed 10-7 to Northwestern.
Himon fielded the kickoff as he brought it back equivalent to a touchback. On second down, Stone connected with Wilde for a gain of 8 yards and another first down. Soon after, Stone handed to Himon, this time an outside zone run that resulted in a gain of 10 and another first down. Stone then found Eligon on a slant route for a first down before finding Wilde on a crossing route to move the chains once again on back-to-back 15-yard gains. On the next play, Evan Beerntsen was flagged for a hold—Northwestern’s seventh penalty of the game thus far. Stone connected on first-and-20 with Eligon to get back to the original spot at the Minnesota 15-yard line. On third down, Stone tried to hit Carson Grove in the end zone on a post route, but his pass was just out of reach as Olsen came back on, drilling a 35-yard field goal. Northwestern led 13-7 with 7:38 to go in the second quarter.
Luke Akers this time smartly kicked the ball through the back of the end zone, not allowing Perich to try and make a big play. Lindsey checked down to Taylor on first down for a gain of 11 and a first down. Fame Ijeboi took the next two carries for a total of 15 yards and a first down. Lindsey took a deep shot on first-and-10 to Tracy, but Ore Adeyi was there to break the pass up. Minnesota was then flagged for its fourth penalty—a false start. On third-and-15, Lindsey found La’Meke Brockington for a 16-yard gain and first down before connecting with Drew Biber for a gain of 9. He then found Jalen Smith for another first down. Two plays later, Brockington carried and was brought down for a loss of 1 by Josh Fussell. On third down, Minnesota was granted an automatic first down thanks to defensive holding on Northwestern—its eighth penalty. On the proceeding play, Lindsey hit Tracy as he walked into the end zone. Denaburg made his extra point as Minnesota took a 14-13 lead with 3:09 to go in the first quarter.
Himon brought the kickoff out once again, this time getting to the Northwestern 26-yard line. Northwestern only gained 3 yards total as Minnesota forced a three-and-out, bringing Akers on for his first punt of the day. Perich returned the punt 12 yards off Akers’ 45-yard punt. Minnesota had the ball on its own 33-yard line with the score at 14-13 in its favor as the game reached the second quarter two-minute timeout.
In the two-minute drill, Minnesota gained 5 yards on first down before Lindsey threw a beautiful layered pass to the left sideline, finding Brockington for a gain of 11 yards. Lindsey then checked it down to Taylor, who gained 8 before Minnesota called a timeout with 54 seconds left in the half on the Northwestern 38-yard line. The Gophers gained a first down thanks to a 2-yard reception from Taylor, followed by Lindsey connecting for 8 yards with Biber as they called their second timeout with 29 seconds left. On second down after gaining a first down and spiking it, Lindsey rocketed a pass across the middle right into the arms of Tracy who was able to cross the plane for his second touchdown of the game. Denaburg kicked the extra point through the uprights as Minnesota took a 21-13 lead with 12 seconds left in the first half, and it would receive the second half kickoff.
Northwestern ran the ball once with Komolafe as the clock ran out on the first half. The ‘Cats trailed Minnesota 13-21 headed into the halftime break. Komolafe had nine carries for 70 yards and a touchdown, Stone was 10-of-15 for 131 yards passing and Wilde led all NU receivers with six catches for 74 yards. For the Golden Gophers, Lindsey was 13-of-16 for 130 yards passing and two passing touchdowns. Taylor was the leading receiver for them with five catches for 34 receiving yards, while Tracy caught two passes for 29 yards, both of which went for scores. Perich also made his impact in the first half, totaling 124 all purpose yards across two kick returns and one punt return.
To open the second half, Perich returned Akers’ kickoff to the Minnesota 29-yard line as the Golden Gophers began the opening drive of the third quarter. Taylor took the first down handoff, gaining 4 yards. Anto Saka was slow to get up as he limped off the field with the help of the Northwestern athletic staff. On third down, Minnesota ran the wildcat as Taylor was met a yard short of the line-to-gain.
Tom Weston came on for his second punt of the day, but Chase Farrell muffed it, handing the Gophers the ball on the Northwestern 28 yard-line. On the play right after the muff, Lindsey found a crossing Tracy for his third touchdown of the day. Denaburg once again nailed the extra point to put Minnesota up 28-13 with 12:43 to go in the third quarter.
Robby Preckel took the ensuing kickoff out of the end zone, only getting to the Northwestern 14-yard line. On second-and-10, Stone found a wide-open crossing Eligon as he gained 38 yards to bring the ’Cats into Gopher territory. Stone then hit Ahumaraeze for a gain of 9 on first down for his first catch of the day. After a first down run by Komolafe, Stone hit Eligon on the left sideline for a 23-yard gain to get NU into the red zone and bring him over 100 receiving yards. Wilde then caught his first pass of the second half for a gain of 11 and a first down, bringing the ‘Cats to the Minnesota 4-yard line. Boe came into the game and ran a QB draw, gaining 2 yards but getting smashed in the process. On the next play, Komolafe was stuffed behind the line by Maverick Baranowski to bring up third down.
From 4 yards out, Stone hit Wilde on an out-breaking route for the touchdown. The ‘Cats then went for the 2-point conversion as Henry Helms handed to Preckel on the end around. Northwestern trailed 21-28 with 7:01 to go in the third quarter.
Once again, Perich did his damage in the kick return game, bringing the ball to Minnesota’s own 35-yard line off Akers’ squib kick. On second down, the Gophers o-line opened up a massive hole for Taylor as he scampered for a gain of 27 yards. After a 5-yard gain on first down and a throw away on second, Lindsey’s pass was tipped at the line as it fell incomplete from the Northwestern 30-yard line. Denaburg came out to kick a 48-yard field goal, but it was wide right as Minnesota failed to put points on the board. The Golden Gophers still led 28-21 with 4:42 to go in the third quarter.
The ‘Cats started from their own 30 yard-line as Stone used his legs to extend the play before finding Ahumaraeze for a gain of 30 yards to flip the field. He handed to Komolafe right after, but the RB was only able to gain 1 yard. On second down, Stone hit Wilde on a comeback route for his ninth catch of the game, setting up a third-and-2. Komolafe was tackled just short of the line-to-gain, but the ‘Cats kept their offense on the field. The running back barely got the first down on the next play as he gained 2 yards. On first down, Stone hit Wilde for his 10th catch of the day, bringing him to over 100 yards on the day. With Wilde and Eligon both over 100 receiving yards, it marked the first time in 12 years that Northwestern has had two 100-yard receivers in the same game.
The next play, Himon took the handoff to the left side as he ran into the end zone untouched for his first score of the season. Olsen made the extra point as Northwestern cut Minnesota’s 15-point lead as it tied the game at 28-28 with 28 seconds to go in the third quarter. 28 points is the highest total for the ‘Cats in Big Ten play under offensive coordinator Zach Lujan.
Perich received Akers’ kick, bringing the ball out to the Minnesota 22-yard line. Lindsey took a deep shot to Malachi Coleman on first down, but Fussell was there to break up the play. Ijeboi took the second down carry, but was brought down for a loss of 2 yards as the third quarter came to a close. Northwestern and Minnesota were knotted up at 28-28 with one quarter left to play.
On third-and-12 from their own 20 yard-line, the Golden Gophers were unable to convert as Lindsey and Brockington weren’t on the same page. Weston came back out for his third punt, this time Wilde was back to receive as he signaled for the fair catch. Northwestern would start with the ball on its own 30-yard line with 14:49 to go in the fourth quarter.
On the first play of the drive, Komolafe broke free for a gain of 46 before having the ball punched out and fumbled forwards out of bounds. On second-and-9, Stone connected with Wilde once again to get into the red zone. Stone rolled out to his left as he found Welcing for a gain of 3 yards and a first down. On the proceeding play, Boe came back in and ran for a gain of 11 on a read option before taking yet another massive hit. Komolafe gained 2 yards on the first down carry from the Minnesota 5-yard line before Boe came back in and gained 1 on the play. With a third-and-goal from the 3, Stone found a wide-open Komolafe for his first receiving touchdown of the season. Olsen made the extra point after to give Northwestern a 35-28 lead with 10:20 left in the game. Komolafe was now over 100 rushing yards and became the first Wildcat since 2005 to rush for 100+ yards and score both a receiving and rushing touchdown.
Akers kicked the ball into the end zone for a touchback as the Golden Gophers would start on their own 25. Lindsey connected with Brockington on first down for a gain of 9 before throwing an incomplete pass to bring up a third-and-1. Minnesota faked running the Tush Push as Ijeboi took the ball for a first down. Braden Turner took the worse-end of the tackle he made as he was shaken up. On first-and-10 from the Minnesota 39, Taylor was met by Mac Uihlein for a gain of just 1. Lindsey lofted a deep shot that Coleman brought down for a 52-yard gain.
On the next play, Lindsey hit Brockington on an out-route for his fourth passing touchdown of the day. Up to this point, the Minnesota quarterback was 18-of-26 passing for 230 yards and the aforementioned four touchdowns, a career high. Denaburg once again made the extra point as the game was tied up once again, this time at 35-35 with 8:20 remaining.
On the ensuing kickoff, Preckel signaled for a fair catch as the ball was spotted at the NU 25-yard line. Komolafe was met for no gain by Aidan Gousby on first down. Stone then used his legs to get the ‘Cats into a third-and-inches situation. On its own 34-yard line, Northwestern ran a QB sneak and gained the first down. Komolafe received another handoff, this time gaining 5. Himon got the carry on the next play, this time gaining 10 and gaining a first down on the run to the left.
Two plays later, Stone found Eligon on the right sideline as he kept his feet in for the first down and a gain of 13. After a 4-yard rush by Komolafe on first down, Ezomo Oratokhai was flagged for an illegal-hands-to-the-face penalty to move NU back 15 yards to the Minnesota 49. On second-and-long, Anthony Smith was flagged for being offsides, giving NU a second-and-16 from the Minnesota 44 yard-line. Stone connected with Eligon for the seventh time as he gained 6 yards, setting the ‘Cats up with a third-and-10 from the Gopher 38. As the two-minute timeout arrived in the fourth quarter, the game was all even at 35-35 and both coaches having all three timeouts in their back pockets.
On third-and-10, Stone hit Welcing for his 15th-straight completion on a curl route as the TE battled his way past the line-to-gain for a huge first down. Minnesota Head Coach P.J. Fleck was forced to call a timeout with 1:52 remaining, the first for his Gophers in the second half. Oratokhai was flagged for a false start on first down, the 10th penalty for Northwestern. Komolafe ran for no gain on first-and-15 before Fleck called his second timeout. Stone took the snap in the shotgun on second-and-15 as he ran a 12-yard QB draw to make it a third-and-3. Minnesota called its third and final timeout with 1:42 remaining.
On the third down carry, Komolafe gained just 1 yard as the ’Cats tried the hard count to force the Gophers to jump offsides. Nobody budged as Northwestern Head Coach David Braun called his first timeout of the second half with 57 seconds remaining. Olsen came back out to attempt his third field goal of the game, this one from 33 yards out. The kicker drilled it to give NU a 38-35 lead with just 53 seconds on the clock and Minnesota out of timeouts.
Akers’ kickoff went right into the hands of Perich, who returned it to the Minnesota 44-yard line. With 45 seconds left, Lindsey hit Tracy across the middle for a 30-yard gain to get into field-goal range. Lindsey tried to hit Biber on the next play, but the pass was broken up and Minnesota had a second-and-10 from the NU 26 with 27 seconds left. In the shotgun, Lindsey hit Smith across the middle for a 4-yard gain before rushing to the line and throwing an incomplete pass with just one second left on the clock. Denaburg came on to attempt a 40-yard field goal as Braun took his second timeout to try and ice the Minnesota kicker.
Braun decided to challenge the previous play on whether or not the clock had expired on the previous incompletion. Braun’s challenge backfired as the clock was then reset to three seconds. After the challenge attempt, Denaburg trotted back onto the field. From the left hash, the kicker missed the field goal to the left of the uprights as Northwestern won its first ever game at The Friendly Confines 38-35.
The ‘Cats travel next to face their in-state rivals, the No. 21 Illinois Fighting Illini, in Urbana-Champaign for the Land of Lincoln Trophy. Meanwhile, the Golden Gophers go back home to host the Wisconsin Badgers for Paul Bunyan’s Axe.
