Minnesota Vs. Purdue Final Score: Gophers Sneak Past Boilermakers 39-38

By Ted Schwerzler | Oct 18, 2014

Oct 18, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Mitch Leidner (7) drops back for a pass in the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

In a game closer than many would have projected, the Minnesota Gophers rose to the occasion behind the big leg of their young kicker.

The Minnesota Gophers welcomed the Purdue Boilermakers to The Bank on homecoming. With a 5-1 record on the line, and a shot to start Big Ten college football play 3-0, the Gophers needed to handle business. A crowd of just over 51,000 watched as the Gophers roared back and were lifted by the big leg of redshirt freshman Ryan Santoso.

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The game started with a bang as both squads scored with the first two minutes of play. A David Cobb two yard touchdown run, following an interception of Purdue quarterback Austin Appleby, gave the Gophers a 7-0 lead. The Boilermakers answered quickly however with a 55 yard reception by Danny Antrhop.

Minnesota would add another seven points with just under seven minutes left in the first quarter. Maxx Williams found himself standing alone on a play action pass from Mitch Leidner and the reception gave the Gophers a 14-7 lead. Purdue would quickly answer with a Gabe Holmes 13 yard pass from Appleby.

At the end of one, both teams sat knotted at 14.

To start the second it was Donnell Kirkwood doing the scoring. After a three yard touchdown run, the Gophers would be forced to re-try the extra point after a penalty. The second attempt from Santoso clanked off the upright and the Gophers led only 20-14.

Purdue would then take over. Looking for separation in the box score, three straight scoring drives would end the half. Raheem Mostert started off with a 42 yard touchdown run, followed by a 26 yard Paul Griggs field goal, and then capped off by a DeAngelo Yancey eight yard touchdown reception. Headed to the half Purdue led 31-20.

Jerry Kill had to be feeling the heat walking into the locker room. He had compiled an 0-22 record while trailing at half, and things weren’t looking good for the Gophers. Two questionable replay calls by the officials had all but sucked the momentum out of the stadium.

Following the opening quick though, the Gophers answers. A quick drive under three minutes was capped off by a six yard Leidner touchdown run. Kill elected to run a fake field goal, which failed, leaving the Gophers down 31-26.

Minnesota would add a 20 yard Santoso field goal on their next possession however, to draw within two at a score of 31-29.

Austin Appleby and Purdue would answer, as they had done most of the day. A quick drive featuring a 69 yard run by speedster Akeem Hunt, would be capped off by a one yard plunge into the end zone by Appleby. Purdue had now stretched their lead to 38-29.

The Gophers just wouldn’t go away. Leidner found wideout K.J. Maye with a beautiful pass down the left sideline, and Maye was able to leap across the goal line for a 37 yard score. Now down just two points headed into the fourth quarter, Minnesota was within striking distance.

Each team traded blows in the final fifteen minutes, but it was the Gophers who put themselves in position. With 4:59 left on the clock, Kill turned to redshirt freshman Ryan Santoso for a 52 yard field goal. He nailed it right down the uprights and put Minnesota up 39-38. Cedric Thompson would pick off Appleby for the second time on the day to seal the game.

Headed to Illinois for a shot at a 7-1 record and a flawless 4-0 Big Ten Conference record, the Gophers will likely be celebrating this homecoming game for the rest of the weekend. A big victory, on an even bigger leg, the Minnesota Gophers and Jerry Kill got it done when it mattered most.

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