Minnesota was leading Big Ten rival Purdue 44-7 at one point during the third quarter of Saturday's blowout win.

It didn't matter to Gophers fans, who rewarded the team with the lowest attended game in TCF Bank Stadium's four-season history.

The announced crowd of 41,062 at Saturday's contest is also the team's lowest of the season and shrinks Minnesota's average this year to 46,692 per game.

Despite a 5-3 record, Minnesota struggles to fill the seats in its new home. The average attendance at TCF Bank Stadium has steadily declined since it averaged 51,000 in the 2009 inaugural season.

Fortunes may turn for Minnesota now that the Gophers have ended their three-game conference losing streak and are one win away from being bowl eligible. Minnesota faces Michigan at home Nov. 3.