The big plays keep coming for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, but they were unable to extend their lead over the UNLV Rebels.
Taking over at their own 20-yard line, quarterback MarQueis Gray wasted little time in getting things started, finding Derrick Engel for 33 yards to move into UNLV territory. A 2-yard rush by K.J. Maye and a 12-yard run by Gray moved the Gophers closer to the goal line.
Facing a 3rd-and-2 from the UNLV 25, the Rebels were called for "disconcerting signals," meaning they were attempting to simulate the snap count to make the Gophers commit a false start penalty. The flag gave the Gophers a first down, and the drive continued. However, the drive stalled at the UNLV 15-yard line.
Jordan Wettstein then came into the game, and lined up for a 32-yard field goal from the right hash. However, Wettstein missed the field goal, and Minnesota stopped the ensuing UNLV drive to take a 7-3 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Gophers are dominating the stat sheet as we hit the break, outgaining the Rebels by a margin of 241 to 125, but they have only seven points to show for it. Minnesota currently has 125 yards on the ground and 116 through the air, while UNLV has 41 rushing yards and 93 passing yards to this point.
Minnesota is just 1-for-6 on third down, while UNLV has converted three of their seven third-down chances. The Gophers have two sacks as well. In the time of possession battle, the Gophers have had the ball for exactly 16 minutes, while the Rebels have had possession for 14 minutes. Penalties have been relatively even, with the Gophers having been flagged four times and the Rebels having been called for three infractions.
Marqueis Gray is currently 8-of-14 passing for 116 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. Gray is also the Gophers' leading rusher thus far, with 43 yards on 7 carries. For UNLV, Nick Sherry is 12-of-18 for 93 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. Tim Cornett is leading the way on the ground for the Rebels with six carries for 35 yards.
We've hit halftime at Sam Boyd Stadium, and the Minnesota Golden Gophers lead the UNLV Rebels by a score of 7-3.