The Gophers improved to 2-0 on the season thanks to a career day by senior running back David Cobb. Cobb ran the ball 29 times for a career high 220 yards and one touchdown in the 35-24 victory.

Minnesota racked up 284 total yards on the ground but did not find the same success in the air, throwing for 67 total yards. On top of that, redshirt sophomore quarterback Mitch Leidner left the game in the beginning of the fourth quarter with a knee injury. Leidner was up walking around on the sideline after the injury, but redshirt freshman Chris Streveler came in to finish up the quarter.

Leidner did find sophomore Maxx Williams for a 27-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Leidner finished the day 5-for-11 for 67 yards, one touchdown and an interception right before halftime. Senior Donnell Kirkwood had five carries for 23 yards and scored his first touchdown since the 2012 Texas Bowl.

The Gophers defense started out strong as Middle Tennessee State wasn’t able to cross midfield until 10 minutes were remaining in the half. Sophomore cornerback Jalen Myrick returned an interception for a touchdown on the first pay of the second quarter. Three plays later junior defensive end Theiren Cockran hit Middle Tennessee’s quarterback Austin Grammer as he threw causing the pass to go straight up in the air and into the arms of senior linebacker Damien Wilson.

Another interception in the third quarter by junior Briean Boddy-Calhoun gave the Gophers three turnovers on the day.