A.J. Barker injury further hampers Gophers WR depth

Minnesota has been looking for answers from its receiving corps after an injury to its top pass catcher.

Michigan vs. Minnesota 2012: Poor coaching and execution leads to Gophers' defeat

Even with Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson sidelined with an elbow injury, Minnesota fell to the Wolverines Saturday, 35-13, thanks in large part to coaching miscues from head coach Jerry Kill and the rest of the staff.

Minnesota left points on the board on three occasions in the second half. In the third quarter, trailing 14-7, Kill called for a fake field goal instead of attempting the 37-yarder. The fake was unsuccessful, Minnesota scored zero points and Michigan promptly drove for a touchdown on the following possession.

On two possessions in the fourth quarter, the Golden Gophers had a first-and-goal inside the Michigan 5-yard line. On both possessions, Minnesota settled for field goals.

SB Nation's Minnesota Golden Gophers blog, The Daily Gopher, admits that execution was an issue Saturday, but the play calling of Kill didn't help their cause.

This game, in my opinion, was the worst coaching performance by Kill and company. Game plan was solid and you cant' fault him for execution issues. But repeated failures on key short-yardage situations and an abysmal fake field goal call cost the Gophers a chance for this to be a one-possession game late in the fourth quarter.

Minnesota falls to 5-4, 1-4 in the conference following the loss. They need only one more win in their remaining three games to become bowl eligible. Their best chance for a victory could come next Saturday against Illinois, who is winless in the Big Ten.

Minnesota vs. Michigan final score: Gophers topped by Wolverines, 35-13

The Michigan Wolverines kept the Little Brown Jug in Ann Arbor as they handled the Minnesota Golden Gophers despite star quarterback Denard Robinson sitting out with an injury.

Minnesota vs. Michigan score: Gophers trail 21-7 after three quarters

After jumping out to a quick 7-0 lead, it's all been downhill for Minnesota, which trails Michigan 21-7 after three quarters.

For the Gophers, things started out promising, as just seconds into the second quarter Minnesota took a 7-0 lead on a touchdown pass from quarterback Philip Nelson to senior receiver John Rabe. The play capped a six-play, 43-yard drive and had the Gophers believing they'd take home the Little Brown Jug for the first time since 2005.

Unfortunately since then, it's been all downhill for Minnesota.

With quarterback Devin Gardner starting for an injured Denard Robinson, Michigan's offense caught fire starting in the second quarter and has put up 21 unanswered points since the Gophers' initial score. The Wolverines' third score of the game came late in the third quarter, on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Gardner to wide receiver Jeremy Gallon.

For Minnesota, this is an important game, as at 5-3 it is now just one victory away from gaining bowl eligibility for the first time since 2009.

But trailing by two touchdowns with just 15 minutes to play, the Gophers certainly have their work cut out for them.

Minnesota vs. Michigan score: Wolverines lead 14-7 at halftime

Minnesota has some work to do if they're going to regain the Little Brown Jug for the first time since 2005, as they trail Michigan 14-7 at halftime.

After a slow start, both teams did all their scoring in the second quarter.

For Minnesota, their only points came just seconds into the second period, when freshman quarterback Philip Nelson found senior John Rabe for a touchdown score. It capped a six-play, 43-yard drive for the Gophers, who at 5-3 this season, are looking to secure bowl eligibility for the first time since 2009.

Unfortunately from there, Michigan scored the last 14 points to close out the first half.

The Wolverines' first score came following Rabe's touchdown catch, when Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner hit receiver Drew Dileo for a 45-yard pitch and catch. Thomas Rawls added a two-yard run for Michigan's second touchdown of the game.

For Michigan, the big story on Saturday is actually that Gardner is playing quarterback at all. The former quarterback who was converted to wide receiver in the offseason, was forced back under center thanks to an injury to Denard Robinson.

Robinson suffered nerve damage in his elbow last week against Nebraska and was ruled out of action just moments before Saturday's kickoff.

Minnesota vs. Michigan score: Scoreless tie after one quarter

It's been a slow start for both Michigan and Minnesota, and after one quarter of play in Minneapolis, the score is tied at 0-0.

Entering Saturday's game, the big news came just prior to kickoff, when Michigan announced senior quarterback Denard Robinson would not suit up for the Wolverines. Robinson suffered an elbow injury in the Wolverines' loss last Saturday at Nebraska, but was still expected to start Saturday.

Still, Robinson's absence doesn't appear to have sparked Minnesota to pull the upset.

Early on, the Gophers have struggled moving the ball, even as quarterback Philip Nelson is now making his third career start. Nelson has gone just 2-of-5 in passes for the Gophers in the first quarter for 26 yards. Donnell Kirkwood has 20 yards on seven carries and Rodrick Williams Jr. has 20 yards on three carries to lead the Gophers' offense.

Things haven't been much better for Michigan. With Devin Gardner under center, the Wolverines have accounted for just nine yards of total offense through the one period of play.

Michigan vs. Minnesota 2012: TV schedule, game time, spread and more

The Minnesota Golden Gophers will try to become bowl eligible this Saturday afternoon against the Michigan Wolverines.