Koi Perich's pick-six lifts Minnesota past Purdue 27-20

The Gophers force a turnover on downs as Ja’Onte McMillan breaks up a pass in the endzone intended for Michael Jackson III.

Gophers take over at their own 7 with less than two to go.

Purdue will face a 4th and 7 from Minnesota’s 7-yard line after the break.

The Minnesota defense comes up with their biggest play of the day as Koi Perich steps in front of a Ryan Browne pass intended for Nitro Tuggle and returns it 27 yards for a touchdown. The Gophers lead 27-20 after the extra point. It’s the third interception of the evening for Minnesota.

Thanks in part to two Purdue facemask calls, the Golden Gophers have tied the game on a four-yard touchdown reception from Jameson Geers. The Gophers drove 70 yards on 14 plays following Purdue’s missed field goal.

Drake Lindsey up to 21-for-45 on the day for 232 yards and two touchdowns.

The Gophers have life as Purdue misses a 47-yard field goal, and Minnesota will take over at their own 30-yard line.

Drake Lindsey is picked off after forcing a pass downfield on 3rd and 15. It takes a friendly Purdue bounce and ends up in the arms of Myles Slusher for a Boilermaker’s interception. The Gophers’ defense steps up after the interception and forces a punt.

A 20-yard field goal from Spencer Porath is good, and the Boilermakers are up 20-13. It was a 13-play, 65-yard drive for the Boilermakers, who have three scoring drives in their last four. Minnesota ta being outgained in this game 326 to 174. Purdue up to 202 rushing yards in this game.

The Golden Gophers’ final offensive drive of the half is a successful one, driving 64 yards on 12 plays in under two minutes. Offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh Jr was conservative at times in his play calling. Minnesota could’ve likely had a few opportunities at the endzone, but only had one chance, an incomplete pass. They settle for a chip yard field goal and will look to take the lead coming out of halftime.

Ryan Browne and Purdue’s offense bounced bounce from their second turnover of the day with a 13-play, 75-yard drive capped off by a Browne 12-yard touchdown run. The Boilermakers had runs of 11, 11, 10, and 12 on the drive.

The Boilermakers’ rushing attack is carving up the Gophers with 23 carries for 178 yards, an average of 7.7 yards per carry.

Brady Denaburg ties his career long with a 46-yard field goal to tie the game at 10-10 following Nestor’s interception.

The Golden Gophers have their second turnover of the day as John Nestor nabs a tipped Ryan Browne pass for his third interception of the day.

The Minnesota offense finally has life. After back-to-back receptions from Darius Taylor for 40 and 11 yards, Le’Meke Brockington takes a screen pass for a 24-yard touchdown, cutting Purdue’s lead to 10-7.

Drake Lindsey, after that drive has completed 7-of-11 passing attempts for 99 yards and one touchdown.

The Gophers were unable to take advantage of Kerry Brown’s interception and went three-and-out. After taking over at Minnesota’s 49-yard line, the Boilermakers were able to drive onto the border of the red zone before settling for a 33-yard field goal.

Purdue, looking to take a 14-0 lead early in Saturday night’s game would look to pull a quick one on the Gophers with a trick play, but Devin Mockobee’s pass intended for Corey Smith is picked off by Kerry Brown at the Gophers’ own one-yard line.

After the opening drive touchdown for Purdue, it was an eventful first quarter.

The Gophers offense totaled just 20 yards of total offense on three drives, including -2 on their second and third drive. Purdue picked up just seven and -6 on their second and third drives, but will start the second quarter at Minnesota’s 17-yard line after a long reception by Nitro Tuggle, who ripped a would-be interception away from John Nestor.

Purdue’s first offensive drive was a swift one, the Boilermakers driving 75 yards on seven plays. It wasn’t the Boilermakers’ passing attack but their rushing attack that led the charge with six carries for 66 yards. Backup quarterback Malachi Singleton runs it up the middle on 4th and 2 for a 40-yard touchdown run.

Purdue’s first drive starts at its own 25.

The Minnesota Golden Gophers’ defense, for the second straight week, will be missing a pair of pieces to their secondary.

On Saturday’s availability report, Minnesota safety Aidan Gousby and cornerback Mike Gerald were both listed as out. True freshman cornerback Naiim Parrish will also be out for the game.

Other Gophers listed as out on the availability report included wide receiver Cristian Driver, kicker Sam Henson, offensive lineman Daniel Shipp, and defensive tackle Theorin Randle. There were no players listed as questionable.

Where: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Stadium: Huntington Bank Stadium

Time: 6:30 p.m. CT

Odds: Minnesota is a 7.5-point favorite over the Purdue Boilermakers with the total currently set at 50.5 points.

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