Indiana University
Minnesota (Parents' Weekend)
Hoosiers Fall To Golden Gophers, 42-21
11/5/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 5, 2005
Box Score | Photo Gallery
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Led by a balanced attack, including 299 yards on the ground and 225 yards in the air, the Minnesota Golden Gophers rolled past the Indiana Hoosiers 42-21, here Saturday afternoon. The Hoosiers took a 14-7 advantage into the lockerrooms, but were outscored 35-7 in the final two quarters.
The Hoosiers (4-5, 1-5 Big Ten) were led by senior running back Chris Taylor, who rushed 19 times for 75 yards and two touchdowns. It was the first multiple touchdown game of his career. Redshirt freshman wide out Marcus Thigpen also chipped in with a career-high five catches for 86 yards, while sophomore quarterback Blake Powers finished 26-of-43 for 253 yards through the air.
Minnesota (6-3, 3-3) was led by the running back duo of Laurence Maroney and Gary Russell. Maroney finished with 85 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown, while Russell had a career-high 188 yards on 28 carries.
The Golden Gophers opened the scoring when running back Justin Valentine went in from one-yard out, capping an 80-yard, nine-play drive in 3:37. Valentine's touchdown gave Minnesota an early 7-0 advantage with 4:41 to play in the first period.
Indiana responded with a pair of second quarter touchdowns in a six-minute span via the ground game, to take a 14-7 advantage in the locker room. The first Hoosier score came with 5:56 remaining in the second period on a Taylor five-yard run up the gut. On the next drive, Indiana started with good field position at its own 34-yard line and took five plays to find paydirt. Redshirt freshman Marcus Thigpen had a 41-yard catch to aid the Hoosier drive. Two plays later it was again Bailey, this time with a catch along the left side before sliding down at the five. Two plays later, Powers snuck it in from a yard out for his second rushing TD of the season.
The Gophers had a chance to narrow the gap just before halftime. After a pass interference call in the endzone game Minnesota possession at the IU two-yard line with five seconds remaining, the Gophers decided to go for the touchdown instead of kicking a field goal. Junior quarterback Brian Cupito's pass intended for Russell, but the ball struck the turf before ending up in Russell's hands as time expired.
Minnesota took control of the game in the third period, scoring touchdowns on each of its opening four possessions. The Gophers wasted little time getting started, as Laurence Maroney capped a five-play, 65-yard drive with a six-yard scamper over the left side. All five plays on the drive came via the run. Minnesota missed the point after attempt, preserving the Hoosier advantage at 14-13 just four minutes into the second half.
An IU turnover on its ensuing possession gave the Gophers good field position at the Indiana 31-yard line. Minnesota once again took advantage of the ground game with Russell scoring from one-yard out. The Gophers added the two-point conversion for a touchdown advantage at 21-14.
The advantage was stretched to 28-14 with 5:26 remaining in the third quarter when Minnesota used the play-action as Cupito found tight end Matt Spaeth for a 17-yard score. The lead reached 20 points for the Gophers when Russell scored his second touchdown of the third period. He punched it in from six yards out with 1:46 remaining in the period to make it 34-14.
The Hoosiers would finally answer at the 9:21 mark of the final period. Taylor scored his second touchdown of the game, this one from two yards out to cut the Gopher lead to 34-21. It was Taylor's fourth rushing touchdown this season, setting a single-season career high. His previous season-best came in 2004 when he scored three times on the ground.
Indiana attempted an onside kick following the score, but Minnesota was up to the task recovering it in IU territory. The Gophers then marched down the field culminating in a Russell one-yard run over the left side. Russell then added the two-point conversion finding Spaeth in the back of the endzone to stretch the lead to 42-21. The touchdown secured Minnesota's first win in Bloomington since 1985, a stretch of seven consecutive home contests.
The Hoosiers will next travel to Ann Arbor, Mich., where they will take on the Wolverines of Michigan on Saturday, Nov. 12, at Noon EST.
