The Gophers football team took home a close win Saturday against Rutgers. The final score was 31-28. 

The Gophers showed there was a mindset change after their loss against Cal. They knew they needed to improve, and that is exactly what they did. 

Rutgers started the game with a strong drive down the field, all the way to the Minnesota 4-yard line. The Gophers’ defense was able to hold the team off from a touchdown. 

Only five minutes in, sixth-year transfer Rushawn Lawrence blocked Rutgers’ field goal attempt from the 22-yard line. Head coach PJ Fleck said it was one of the biggest plays of the game. 

“You know, we missed a field goal, they got one blocked, that’s football,” Fleck said. 

In the first quarter, Rutgers scored a touchdown, while the Gophers would not see their first points until halfway through the second quarter. 

Rutgers was able to get another touchdown in their first drive of the second quarter, making the score 14-0. However, the Gophers were quick to fight back. 

Gophers redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey threw a deep pass to freshman Jalen Smith, who ran it to the Rutgers three-yard line. The 78-yard play gave the Gophers the momentum they needed for their first touchdown of the game. 

Using that momentum, defensive back freshman Kerry Brown intercepted Rutgers’ next pass and ran it down the field for 28 yards. Lindsey made a quick pass to redshirt senior Lemke Brockington for their second touchdown of the game, bringing it to a tie. 

Right before the end of the first half, Rutgers took back the lead with another touchdown. The Gophers went into the locker room at halftime knowing adjustments had to be made. 

Fleck said the Gophers were a completely different team during the second half. 

“I am so proud of our players’ resolve,” Fleck said. “That’s what Row the Boat’s all about. Never give up, keep rowing.” 

Lindsey said during halftime, offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh told him they were going to put the game in his hands and win it. 

“That puts a lot of confidence in the offense and in me,” Lindsey said. “They’re putting it on me and our guys to go make plays, and we did it.” 

That confidence made a crucial difference. 

The Gophers were able to lead for the second half. The Gophers tied the game around six minutes into the third quarter and then made a successful field goal attempt at the end of the quarter, bringing the score to 24-21. 

This lead did not last long, as Rutgers had a successful first drive of the fourth quarter and brought the score back in their favor, 28-24. However, Lindsey’s quick pass game brought Minnesota all the way to Rutgers’ four-yard line. 

Lindsey was able to release the ball fast and short, meaning that while yards were gained, it was not all in one play. 

The Gophers scored the last points of the game, with a final score of 31-28. 

Both the Gophers’ offense and defense showed strengths throughout the game. 

In the second half, the Gopher D-line shrank Rutgers’ offensive pocket and got a total of seven sacks, though Fleck said the defense could have tackled better in the second half. 

As for the offense, Drake Lindsey had a much better performance against Rutgers than against Cal. Lindsey threw a total of 324 yards, went 31-41 and had no interceptions. 

This was Lindsey’s first time starting a Big Ten matchup. He was up against Gophers’ former quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis. 

Lindsey said he did a good job staying positive on the field and encouraging the offense. 

“I would tell them next drive we are going to get seven, we really took the approach one play at a time,” Lindsey said. “We played really, really well, and all guys were executing at a high level.” 

Next week, the Gophers play against No. 1 Ohio State in Columbus, projected to be the hardest game of the season.