CHICAGO — Gopher fans at Wrigley Field could not sing their hearts out during a rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” before the start of the fourth quarter on Saturday. Northwestern was in the middle of scoring 22 unanswered points to take a 34-28 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey threw his fourth touchdown pass of the game to make it 35-35 with eight minutes left in the game, but Minnesota’s defense allowed Northwestern to continue to gain more that 500 yards of offense and convert on more than 50% of third downs.
Northwestern kicker Jack Olsen made a 33-yard field goal to win it 38-35 with 53 seconds left.
Minnesota’s last minute drive set up a 40-yard field goal attempt from Brady Denaburg, but he missed wide left on the last play of the game.
The Gophers (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) fell to 0-5 on the road this season. The Wildcats (6-5, 4-4) reached bowl eligibility and won for the first time at Wrigley Field (1-7).
The Gophers’ defense was without its top tackler, linebacker Devon Williams, and key cornerback John Nestor, on Saturday. They allowed 525 yards and 58 percent conversions on third down.
The Gophers struck out looking in Saturday’s first quarter. Northwestern had 150 total yards and 10 points in the first quarter, while Minnesota had five measly yards and zero points. But the Gophers’ kickoff return unit set up Koi Perich’s 93-yard scamper to the Wildcat’s 5-yard line. A home run-type play.
“Holy Cow!” as the legendary, late Cubs announcer Harry Caray used to say for games at the Friendly Confines.
With that special teams jolt, Minnesota was off and running and outscored Northwestern 21-3 in the second quarter. With After Northwestern’s muffed punt early in the second half, Drake Lindsey and Javon Tracy connected on their third touchdown to make it 28-13.
The beginning of Saturday’s game had a handful of similarities to the 42-13 loss at Oregon last Friday. First, Northwestern running back Caleb Komolafe ran untouched for 40 yards on a 46-yard touchdown drive on the opening drive. Then Minnesota went three and out on its opening series. It was similar to the start of the Ducks game, and, frankly, all games against FBS competition this year. The U has nine punts and one field goal this season in first quarters this season.
The Wildcats put together a 15-play drive to extend their lead to 10-0 with a 34-yard field goal.
On the ensuing kick return, Perich’s explosive play was his longest since a 56-yarder against Rutgers in September. Minnesota scored four plays later with Darius Taylor taking a toss in from the half-yard line.
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