We're only a quarter into the battle for Floyd of Rosedale, and we are still looking at a fairly close game. However, if the Minnesota Golden Gophers don't take a few more steps to stop. . .or at least slow down. . .Iowa sophomore running back Marcus Coker, it might not remain that way for long.
Coker already has nine carries for 102 yards in the first quarter of play, but we are still scoreless at TCF Bank Stadium, as the Gophers and Hawkeyes are still scoreless.
While the Gophers have gone three and out on their first two first quarter possessions, the Hawkeyes have managed to get into Minnesota territory on all three of their drives. On all three drives, however, the Hawkeyes threw passes well short of the first down marker and failed to convert. On their first drive, facing a 4th-and-6 at the Minnesota 35, the Hawkeyes converted a pass for four yards. Looking at 3rd-and-8 on their second drive from the Minnesota 49, Iowa settled for another four-yard pass.
On their third drive, a 50-yard run by Coker put the Hawkeyes deep in Minnesota territory, but kicker Mike Meyer missed a 24-yard field goal wide to the left. The Gophers have taken advantage of that going into the first quarter intermission, as three straight carries by Duane Bennett have moved Minnesota to near midfield, and have given them their first two first downs of the afternoon.
We're through one quarter at TCF Bank Stadium in the battle for Floyd of Rosedale, and the Gophers and Hawkeyes are still scoreless.