The Minnesota Golden Gophers have drawn first blood in their battle against the Syracuse Orange, as they've gotten into the end zone to take a 7-0 lead.

After forcing a Syracuse punt, the Gophers started with the ball at their own 42-yard line. Freshman K.J. Maye ran the ball on the first couple of plays, and then Max Shortell and Devin Crawford-Tufts hooked up for the big play on the drive, a 40-yard catch and run that put the ball down at the Syracuse 10.

A pass interference call on Syracuse then gave Minnesota first and goal at the 2-yard line, and Donnell Kirkwood handled things from there, breaking a tackle and bursting into the end zone. Jordan Wettstein added the extra point, and Minnesota went ahead by a touchdown with 6:59 left in the first quarter.

The Minnesota scoring drive moved 58 yards in five plays.

With 6:59 left in the first quarter at TCF Bank Stadium, the Minnesota Golden Gophers lead the Syracuse Orange by a score of 7-0.