The Minnesota Golden Gophers defeated Western Michigan on Saturday, 28-23. Despite losing starting quarterback MarQueis Gray, Minnesota scored all four of its touchdowns in the air with Gray passing for one before leaving the game, and his replacement Max Shortell throwing for the other three.
Shortell played well in Gray's absence, going nine-of-15 on his passes for 181 yards and those three touchdown tosses.
This was A.J. Barker's game. Barker recorded his second 100-yard receiving game of the season and hauled in three of the four touchdown passes.
Minnesota took a commanding 21-10 lead into the half, but Western Michigan rallied as the Gophers had to hold on for the victory. They were outscored 13-7 in the second half.
Western Michigan quarterback Alex Carder attempted 43 passes, while completing just 24 of them. Carder had the final minute of the game to lead the Broncos on a last-minute, game-winning touchdown drive, but the Gopher defense held.
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