This is definitely not the kind of start the Minnesota Golden Gophers were envisioning in their game against the Iowa Hawkeyes.
On Minnesota's first offensive possession, after gaining one first down, Minnesota quarterback Max Shortell executed a beautiful play-action fake and went deep to A.J. Barker. Barker appeared to have the catch, but the ball was ripped out of his hands by Iowa defensive back Tanner Miller. The pass was initially ruled incomplete,but after a review by the officials, it was ruled an interception and possession went to Iowa.
After Minnesota forced a punt, the Minnesota returner elected to not field the punt, and the ball was bouncing on the turf. An Iowa player forced Gophers' defensive back Damarius Travis back into the ball, which bounced off of his foot. Iowa thought they had a recovery of a muffed punt, but the officials ruled that because Travis had been pushed into the ball, possession would remain with Minnesota.
The Gophers are punting away again after a three-and-out, and with just under seven minutes left in the first quarter of the battle for Floyd of Rosedale, the Iowa Hawkeyes still lead the Minnesota Golden Gophers by a score of 3-0.