Gophers dominate Nebraska in second half of 24-6 victory

The Minnesota defense forced a turnover on downs, and recorded a program-record ninth sack on the final play of the game. Head coach PJ Fleck captures a marquee victory with a dominant second half.

Minnesota scored for the third time in its three second-half drives. A few impressive runs from Darius Taylor and Fame Ijeboi propelled the Gophers into field goal range, before the Nebraska defense stiffened.

Kicker Brady Denaburg converted on a 30-yard field goal to give Minnesota a three possession lead.

Now trailing by two touchdowns, Nebraska opened their next drive with three straight passes to running back Emmett Johnson. The following play, Raiola took a shot downfield to receiver Nyziah Hunter – who had a step on Minnesota’s Za’Quan Bryan – but couldn’t come down with the pass.

Jaxon Howard came off the edge unblocked on third-down, and capitalized with his second sack of the day. Minnesota has now registered eight sacks on the night.

Defensive back Jai’Onte’ McMillan returned to the game and made a big tackle on the drive.

Following another third-down sack and Nebraska three-and-out, Minnesota started their next drive with solid field position at their own 38-yard line. A third-down pass interference penalty brought the Gophers past midfield.

Jalen Smith took a third-down screen pass from Lindsey 35 yards to the two yard line. On the ensuing play, Darius Taylor would find paydirt for the first time in his junior season to extend the Gopher lead to 15.

Minnesota started its first drive of the second half at its own two-yard line. Hard-nosed runs from Darius Taylor and Fame Ijeboi, paired with timely completions from Drake Lindsey finally had the Gophers offense moving with some consistency.

Facing a fourth-down and three at the Nebraska 34-yard line, Lindsey rolled out on the bootleg and threw over the middle for Le’Meke Brockington, who was held up by a Cornhusker defender. The penalty would result in a first down. One play later, Lindsey would look for Brockington yet again. A perfect touch pass up the sideline from Lindsey, and strong catch from Brockington put Minnesota in the endzone for the second time tonight.

The connection capped off a 14 play, 98-yard drive that took almost nine minutes of game time.

Creeping into Gophers territory, Raiola would take another sack and the Cornhuskers would be forced to punt. A third-down blitz would flush Raiola into the rush of Jaxon Howard.

An impressive punt from Archie Wilson pinned the Minnesota offense at their own two-yard line.

Nebraska kept its inaugural drive of the second half going with a cross-screen to Emmett Johnson, who made a couple defenders miss before being tripped up at midfield.

One of those defenders was defensive back Jai’Onte’ McMillan who stayed down on the field following the play. He managed to walk off under his own power.

A promising Minnesota drive stalled at midfield, forcing a punt with just over a minute to go in the half. Freshman Simon Seidl made an impressive tackle on Nebraska’s dynamic sophomore Jacory Barney Jr., placing the Cornhuskers at their own six-yard line.

Busting through a double-team on a three-man rush, Anthony Smith would halt any last-minute scoring effort and send the Gophers to the locker room with the lead.

Anthony Smith and Karter Menz recorded two sacks a piece, and Minnesota brought down Raiola five times in the first half.

Despite more tricks from Dylan Raiola, the Gophers defense would force another 30-yard field goal from the Cornhuskers.

Raiola opened the drive with a left-handed toss to tight end Luke Lindenmeyer for a first-down. The following play, the Cornhuskers went play-action and Raiola rifled it over the middle to receiver Quinn Clark who turned in some nice yards after the catch on the 43-yard gain. The second sack of the night for Karter Menz, followed by an offensive targeting would kill the Nebraska drive. Raiola made a man miss on the scramble to set up a short field goal.

Following a holding penalty on the ensuing kickoff, the Gophers started the drive at their own ten-yard line. Drake Lindsey opened the drive on the move and hooked up with wide receiver Malachi Coleman for a gain of 15.

Just one play later, Darius Taylor would take an off-tackle run to the right 70 yards down the sideline before being dragged down short of the goal line. The Gophers would not be denied, as Lindsey would score on a sneak on the very next play.

Minnesota’s punt set up Nebraska inside their own 15-yard line for their second series. Third-down heroics from Dylan Raiola resulted in the biggest play of the night to get the drive going. The Cornhuskers would convert another third-down due to a pass-interference call on Gophers’ defensive back Kerry Brown.

The Gophers saw another injury in the secondary as Za’Quan Bryan walked off gingerly after making a tackle following an impressive flip from Raiola. Defensive tackle Deven Eastern ended the drive with a third-down sack, and Nebraska would settle for a 33-yard field goal.

The Gophers opened the drive with consecutive short runs for Darius Taylor. A third-down screen to Javon Tracy was well contained by the Cornhuskers, forcing a punt.

After a short gain on first down, Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola was sacked by defensive lineman Anthony Smith to force a third and long. Good coverage downfield by the Gophers downfield forced a deep throw away from Raiola and subsequent punt.

Minnesota’s opening drive begins at its own 25.

Minnesota will be without starting cornerback John Nestor for the game. A significant loss for the Gophers’ secondary that is already down two pieces in cornerback Mike Gerald and safety Garrison Moore.

The Gophers will be without cornerback Mike Gerald and safety Garrison Monroe on Friday; both will be out for the game. On top of Gerald and Monroe’s absence, the Gophers will potentially be without cornerback John Nestor, who is questionable for the game.

Also out for Minnesota are wide receiver Cristian Driver, linebacker Jeff Roberson, running back Tre Berry, kicker Sam Henson, offensive lineman Daniel Shipp, and defensive tackle Theorin Randle. Running back A.J. Turner, linebacker Drew Wilson, and defensive tackle Mo Omonode remain out for the season.

Where: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Stadium: Huntington Bank Stadium

Time: 7:00 p.m. CT

Odds: Minnesota is a 7.5-point underdog to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, with the total currently set at 47.5 points.

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