Late Miscues, Gopher Backfield Foil Penn State in 25-16 Loss to Minnesota

Minnesota tailbacks Tellis Redmon and Thomas Tapeh provided the spark for the Golden Gopher offense in a 25-16 victory today in Minneapolis. Minnesota capitalized on two second half fumble recoveries, scoring ten points and increasing the lead they had acquired in the first quarter. Kicker Dan Nystrom booted four short field goals to keep the Gophers on top from start to finish, as they increased their season mark to 4-2 and 2-1 in the Big 10. The Nittany Lions fell to 2-5 overall, 1-2 in the Big 10.

Sophomore Tellis Redmon was the story in a slow first half at the Metrodome. After neither team could mount any offensive threats on the game's first five possessions, Redmon began to pace the attack for the Gophers. Redmon returned a David Royer punt into Penn State territory, and his three rushes and one pass reception brought the ball down to the Penn State 5 yard line. Nittany Lions' defensive back Bhawoh Jue snuffed the drive there when he batted down a pass attempt from Gopher QB Travis Cole. Dan Nystrom's first field goal from 23 yards opened the scoring with five and a half minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Even though Minnesota could only manage three field goals in the first half, Redmon was exploiting big holes provided by his offensive line and eating up large chunks of yardage on the ground. Of the Gophers first 9 plays, Redmon touched the ball on seven of those plays. He had 11 rushes for 56 yards in the first quarter alone, and tallied 118 yards in the half. On all three Gophers' scoring drives, the entire Penn State defense tightened up inside their own 20 yard line and kept Minnesota out of the end zone. In fact, in the nine first half Minnesota plays inside the Penn State 20, eight different Penn State defenders were credited with tackles (1 incomplete pass).

The Lions offense, last in the Big 10 coming into the game, struggled again early. They did not have a first down in the opening quarter, as quarterback Rashard Casey was errant on his only three passing attempts. Midway through the second quarter, right after Dan Nystrom's third field goal, Penn State began to move the football. A defensive holding penalty, the Lions' initial first down with eight minutes left in the half, sparked a 9 play, 48 yard drive that cleared most of the cobwebs from the Penn State offense. Casey completed 3 of 5 passes on the four and a half minute drive to bring the ball to the Minnesota 20. Penn State had fourth and inches there and was ready to try for the first, but All-American tackle Kareem McKenzie committed a false start which forced the Lions to settle for three. Penn State ended the first half down 9-3 with momentum, hoping for a quick start in the third quarter.

Unfortunately for the Lions, it was Minnesota that jumped out to a quick second half score. Redmon continued to pound through the Penn State front four on the opening drive of the third quarter. He gained thirty-one yards on the ground in the drive. Wideout Ron Johnson caught three passes in the series, including a 3 yard touchdown from Travis Cole. Cole, who only threw for 19 yards in the first half, completed 4 of 5 passes on the drive for 58 yards.

Down 15-3, Penn State responded in fine style with an 11-play touchdown drive of their own. Rashard Casey led the drive with two completions to Eric McCoo, and a 33 yard strike to Kenny Watson to get the ball to the Minnesota 17 yard line. 4 consecutive rushes inside the 20 culminated in a 3-yard McCoo touchdown plunge that brought the Lions within five.

For the remainder of the third and into the fourth quarter, the defenses dominated. The Penn State defensive line, led by end Justin Kurpeikis, began to shut down Redmon and the successful Gopher rushing attack. Kurpeikis, who ended the game with four tackles for a loss, and right end Michael Haynes each had a second half sack as the Lions' D kept Penn State within striking distance. Karon Riley and the rest of the Minnesota defense picked up the intensity as well, not allowing Penn State past their own 35 in the two possessions after the touchdown. Riley also scooped up a Larry Johnson fumble early in the fourth that was forced by cornerback Trevis Graham.

With Penn State tightening its defense to stop the Minnesota rushing attack, Gophers' backup tailback Thomas Tapeh made the key play in the game early in the fourth quarter. On a 3rd and 4 play, with Penn State expecting the run, Tapeh threw a halfback pass to a streaking Ron Johnson for a 64 yard touchdown. Johnson's second touchdown of the day deflated the Lions' defense, and put Minnesota on top by 12.

Any thoughts of a quick Penn State comeback were dashed shortly after the score when Rashard Casey was sacked Minnesota's John Schlect. Casey fumbled the ball, and defensive tackle Matt Anderle recovered the ball on the Lions 12 yard line. Dan Nystrom's 4th field goal of the game, a 24 yarder, gave the Gophers a comfortable 25-10 advantage.

Penn State rallied late behind the rushing and receiving of Eric McCoo, but the comeback fell short when Rashard Casey's 4th and 6 pass with 1:03 remaining came up incomplete.

Tellis Redmon ended the game with 150 yards on 33 carries, controlling the ball for Minnesota most of the afternoon. He helped lead the Gophers to a 182-98 advantage on the ground. Minnesota wide receiver Ron Johnson also had a solid game, catching 5 balls for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Rashard Casey and Eric McCoo led the Lions' attack, as expected. Casey led the team with 44 yards rushing, and threw for 189 yards and one touchdown. McCoo caught eight of those passes for 85 yards, and also ran for one score. Safety James Boyd, the team's leading tackler, once again paced Penn State with 10 tackles.

Penn State enjoys an off week before hosting Illinois in a homecoming contest on October 21. Minnesota travels to Columbus to battle undefeated Ohio State this Saturday.