Not to be outdone by the Miami (OH) Redhawks, the Minnesota Golden Gophers generated a big play of their own, but then may have gotten a little too cute, causing them to have to settle for a field goal and an early 3-3 tie with the Redhawks.
On 2nd-and-9 from their own 16-yard line, quarterback MarQueis Gray flicked a quick bubble screen out to wide receiver Malcolm Mouton. Mouton got into the open field and sprinted down the left sideline, eventually gaining 59 yards and setting the Gophers up at the Redhawks' 25.
After a 9-yard pass from Gray to Da'Jon McKnight, the Gophers got stuffed on second down. On third down, freshman quarterback Max Shortell lined up to take the snap, with Gray split out to the left. Gray came in motion, took a handoff from Shortell, and then pitched it to McKnight on what was supposed to be a reverse. The Redhawks sniffed it out, however, and stopped McKnight for no gain.
The Gophers then settled for a 33-yard field goal from Chris Hawthorne to tie the score at three.
Minnesota has just kicked off, and the Redhawks take over at their own 21-yard line with 8:31 left in the first quarter of play from TCF Bank Stadium.