SB Nation Minnesota - Michigan vs. Minnesota: Gophers fall to Michigan 35-13https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48959/mn-fave.png2012-11-07T09:10:42-06:00http://minnesota.sbnation.com/rss/stream/33589832012-11-07T09:10:42-06:002012-11-07T09:10:42-06:00Gophers struggle to replace A.J. Barker
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<figcaption>Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Minnesota has been looking for answers from its receiving corps after an injury to its top pass catcher.</p> <p>Junior <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113998/a-j-barker">A.J. Barker</a> has been the steadying force of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/minnesota-golden-gophers">Minnesota Golden Gophers</a>' passing game this season, and the team has had trouble replacing him as he's sat out two games with an ankle injury. With Barker expected to miss this Saturday's game vs. the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/illinois-fighting-illini">Illinois Fighting Illini</a>, offensive coordinator Brian Limegrover is still searching to make up for the missed production.</p>
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<p>"In some ways, you're starting from scratch," Limegrover said Tuesday.</p>
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<p>(<a href="http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/177572691.html?vi_adid=W">via</a> <i>Minnesota Star Tribune</i>)</p>
<p>Barker has 30 catches this season -- 15 more than any other receiver -- and his 577 yards are more than triple the next highest total on the team. He's also accounted for 7 of the team's 17 passing touchdowns. In last Saturday's loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/michigan-wolverines">Michigan Wolverines</a>, nine different players caught passes for the Gophers, but none caught more than three passes and no one gained more than 45 yards.</p>
<p>Senior MarQueis Gray was moved from quarterback to receiver this season, but he's been dealing with nagging injuries while also learning the position on the fly. Against Michigan, Gray caught three passes for 27 yards.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-golden-gophers/2012/11/7/3613018/aj-barker-injury-gophersJordan Sargent2012-11-04T09:49:56-06:002012-11-04T09:49:56-06:00Play calling hurt Gophers in loss
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<p>Even with Michigan quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76856/denard-robinson" class="sbn-auto-link">Denard Robinson</a> sidelined with an elbow injury, Minnesota fell to the Wolverines Saturday, 35-13, thanks in large part to coaching miscues from head coach Jerry Kill and the rest of the staff.</p>
<p>Minnesota left points on the board on three occasions in the second half. In the third quarter, trailing 14-7, Kill called for a fake field goal instead of attempting the 37-yarder. The fake was unsuccessful, Minnesota scored zero points and Michigan promptly drove for a touchdown on the following possession.</p>
<p>On two possessions in the fourth quarter, the Golden Gophers had a first-and-goal inside the Michigan 5-yard line. On both possessions, Minnesota settled for field goals.</p>
<p>SB Nation's <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/minnesota-golden-gophers" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Golden Gophers</a> blog, <a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2012/11/3/3595690/michigan-keeps-little-brown-jug-with-35-13-win-over-minnesota">The Daily Gopher</a>, admits that execution was an issue Saturday, but the play calling of Kill didn't help their cause.</p>
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<p>This game, in my opinion, was the worst coaching performance by Kill and company. Game plan was solid and you cant' fault him for execution issues. But repeated failures on key short-yardage situations and an abysmal fake field goal call cost the Gophers a chance for this to be a one-possession game late in the fourth quarter.</p>
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<p>Minnesota falls to 5-4, 1-4 in the conference following the loss. They need only one more win in their remaining three games to become bowl eligible. Their best chance for a victory could come next Saturday against Illinois, who is winless in the Big Ten.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-golden-gophers/2012/11/4/3598496/minnesota-michigan-2012-reactionJack Cassidy2012-11-03T14:19:54-05:002012-11-03T14:19:54-05:00Wolverines whack Gophers, keep Little Brown Jug
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<img alt="Nov 3, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA: Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Drew Dileo (9) runs for a first down before getting pushed out of bounds by Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Cedric Thompson (27) at TCF Bank Stadium." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tZa4pyRdC-cUvT3wYlkHDALjtbo=/29x0:1070x694/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/2588169/minnesota-michigan-presswire.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Nov 3, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA: Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Drew Dileo (9) runs for a first down before getting pushed out of bounds by Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Cedric Thompson (27) at TCF Bank Stadium. | Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Michigan Wolverines kept the Little Brown Jug in Ann Arbor as they handled the Minnesota Golden Gophers despite star quarterback Denard Robinson sitting out with an injury. </p> <p>With star quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76856/denard-robinson" class="sbn-auto-link">Denard Robinson</a> out due to injury, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/michigan-wolverines" class="sbn-auto-link">Michigan Wolverines</a> got off to a sluggish start offensively in their first ever trip to TCF Bank Stadium against the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/minnesota-golden-gophers" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Golden Gophers</a>. But backup <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113843/devin-gardner" class="sbn-auto-link">Devin Gardner</a> got things together quickly, leading the Wolverines to a 35-13 victory and keeping the Little Brown Jug in Ann Arbor.</p>
<p>Michigan (6-3, 4-1 Big Ten) only managed nine yards of offense in the first quarter, and the Wolverines fell behind 7-0 when Minnesota (5-4, 1-4 Big Ten) scored on the first play of the second quarter courtesy of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159863/philip-nelson" class="sbn-auto-link">Philip Nelson's</a> 10-yard pass to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/132000/john-rabe" class="sbn-auto-link">John Rabe</a>.</p>
<p>Michigan struck back quickly, as Gardner found <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113852/drew-dileo" class="sbn-auto-link">Drew Dileo</a> for a 45-yard touchdown to cap off a 91-yard scoring drive. The Wolverines tallied the next 14 points, with two more long scoring drives of 90 and 86 yards.</p>
<p>Minnesota notched a field goal early in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 21-10, but Gardner's two-yard touchdown run minutes later closed the door on the Gophers. Fitzgerald Toussaint's 41-yard scamper with 3:05 left was the icing on the cake.</p>
<p><b>Box Score Hero:</b> Gardner was brilliant as Robinson's fill-in, completing 12-of-18 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns to go along with one interception. Gardner also had 21 yards on the ground with a score.</p>
<p><b>Rankings Ramifications: </b>Michigan was bounced from the BCS rankings after a loss to Nebraska last Saturday, and the Wolverines had only two votes in the AP Poll this week. The win could get them closer to the rankings, but it's unlikely they get back in unless there's some help.</p>
<p><b>But Did They Cover? </b>Michigan was a 9½-point favorite according to most services, so they easily covered.</p>
<p><b>For More On This Game: </b>For more on Michigan, head over to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.maizenbrew.com/">Maize n Brew</a>. For more on Minnesota, check out <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/">The Daily Gopher</a>.</p>
<p><b>Next Week's Schedule: </b>Michigan hosts the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/northwestern-wildcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Northwestern Wildcats</a>. Minnesota visits the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/illinois-fighting-illini" class="sbn-auto-link">Illinois Fighting Illini</a>.</p>
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https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-golden-gophers/2012/11/3/3595628/minnesota-vs-michigan-final-score-recapJason Patt2012-11-03T13:21:15-05:002012-11-03T13:21:15-05:00Michigan leads Minnesota 21-7 after 3rd quarter
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<p>After jumping out to a quick 7-0 lead, it's all been downhill for Minnesota, which trails Michigan 21-7 after three quarters.</p>
<p>For the Gophers, things started out promising, as just seconds into the second quarter Minnesota took a 7-0 lead on a touchdown pass from quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159863/philip-nelson" class="sbn-auto-link">Philip Nelson</a> to senior receiver <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/132000/john-rabe" class="sbn-auto-link">John Rabe</a>. The play capped a six-play, 43-yard drive and had the Gophers believing they'd take home the Little Brown Jug for the first time since 2005.</p>
<p>Unfortunately since then, it's been all downhill for Minnesota.</p>
<p>With quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113843/devin-gardner" class="sbn-auto-link">Devin Gardner</a> starting for an injured <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76856/denard-robinson" class="sbn-auto-link">Denard Robinson</a>, Michigan's offense caught fire starting in the second quarter and has put up 21 unanswered points since the Gophers' initial score. The Wolverines' third score of the game came late in the third quarter, on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Gardner to wide receiver <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76865/jeremy-gallon" class="sbn-auto-link">Jeremy Gallon</a>.</p>
<p>For Minnesota, this is an important game, as at 5-3 it is now just one victory away from gaining bowl eligibility for the first time since 2009.</p>
<p>But trailing by two touchdowns with just 15 minutes to play, the Gophers certainly have their work cut out for them.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-golden-gophers/2012/11/3/3595496/minnesota-michigan-game-score-updateAaron Torres2012-11-03T12:29:03-05:002012-11-03T12:29:03-05:00Michigan leads Minnesota 14-7 at the half
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<p>Minnesota has some work to do if they're going to regain the Little Brown Jug for the first time since 2005, as they trail Michigan 14-7 at halftime.</p>
<p>After a slow start, both teams did all their scoring in the second quarter.</p>
<p>For Minnesota, their only points came just seconds into the second period, when freshman quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159863/philip-nelson" class="sbn-auto-link">Philip Nelson</a> found senior <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/132000/john-rabe" class="sbn-auto-link">John Rabe</a> for a touchdown score. It capped a six-play, 43-yard drive for the Gophers, who at 5-3 this season, are looking to secure bowl eligibility for the first time since 2009.</p>
<p>Unfortunately from there, Michigan scored the last 14 points to close out the first half.</p>
<p>The Wolverines' first score came following Rabe's touchdown catch, when Michigan quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113843/devin-gardner" class="sbn-auto-link">Devin Gardner</a> hit receiver <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113852/drew-dileo" class="sbn-auto-link">Drew Dileo</a> for a 45-yard pitch and catch. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134813/thomas-rawls" class="sbn-auto-link">Thomas Rawls</a> added a two-yard run for Michigan's second touchdown of the game.</p>
<p>For Michigan, the big story on Saturday is actually that Gardner is playing quarterback at all. The former quarterback who was converted to wide receiver in the offseason, was forced back under center thanks to an injury to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76856/denard-robinson" class="sbn-auto-link">Denard Robinson</a>.</p>
<p>Robinson suffered nerve damage in his elbow last week against Nebraska and was ruled out of action just moments before Saturday's kickoff.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-golden-gophers/2012/11/3/3595302/minnesota-michigan-game-score-updateAaron Torres2012-11-03T11:35:08-05:002012-11-03T11:35:08-05:00Michigan and Minnesota scoreless after one quarter
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<p>It's been a slow start for both Michigan and Minnesota, and after one quarter of play in Minneapolis, the score is tied at 0-0.</p>
<p>Entering Saturday's game, the big news came just prior to kickoff, when Michigan announced senior quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76856/denard-robinson" class="sbn-auto-link">Denard Robinson</a> would not suit up for the Wolverines. Robinson suffered an elbow injury in the Wolverines' loss last Saturday at Nebraska, but was still expected to start Saturday.</p>
<p>Still, Robinson's absence doesn't appear to have sparked Minnesota to pull the upset.</p>
<p>Early on, the Gophers have struggled moving the ball, even as quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159863/philip-nelson" class="sbn-auto-link">Philip Nelson</a> is now making his third career start. Nelson has gone just 2-of-5 in passes for the Gophers in the first quarter for 26 yards. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113967/donnell-kirkwood" class="sbn-auto-link">Donnell Kirkwood</a> has 20 yards on seven carries and Rodrick Williams Jr. has 20 yards on three carries to lead the Gophers' offense.</p>
<p>Things haven't been much better for Michigan. With <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113843/devin-gardner" class="sbn-auto-link">Devin Gardner</a> under center, the Wolverines have accounted for just nine yards of total offense through the one period of play.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-golden-gophers/2012/11/3/3595146/minnesota-michigan-game-score-updateAaron Torres2012-11-03T07:01:44-05:002012-11-03T07:01:44-05:00Michigan vs. Minnesota: Game time, channel, odds
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<figcaption>Leon Halip</figcaption>
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<p>The Minnesota Golden Gophers will try to become bowl eligible this Saturday afternoon against the Michigan Wolverines.</p> <p>In the 93rd all-time meeting between the two programs, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/minnesota-golden-gophers" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Golden Gophers</a> will welcome the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/michigan-wolverines" class="sbn-auto-link">Michigan Wolverines</a> to TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday with the coveted Little Brown Jug up for grabs.</p>
<p>Aside from a 2005 thriller in Ann Arbor, when Minnesota pulled off a narrow 23-20 victory, the Gophers have struggled to remain competitive with the mighty Wolverines on the gridiron in recent years. Along with its significant 67-22-3 overall lead in the series, Michigan has finished ahead on the scoreboard in 20 of the last 21 meetings between the two schools.</p>
<p>Led by freshman <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159863/philip-nelson" class="sbn-auto-link">Philip Nelson</a>, the Gophers pulled off an impressive 44-28 victory over a tough Purdue team in Week 9. The 6'2 Nelson, who was playing in just his second-career game, completed 15 of 22 passes for 246 yards and three passing touchdowns. With former quarterback MarQueis Gray now shifted to wide receiver for the time being, the keys to the offense will be in Nelson's hands against the Wolverines.</p>
<p><b>Where:</b> TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minn.</p>
<p><b>Game time:</b> 11 a.m. CT</p>
<p><b>TV:</b> Big Ten Network</p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/michigan-minnesota-odds-november-3-2012">Spread</a>:</b> Minnesota +12</p>
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https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-golden-gophers/2012/11/3/3587548/minnesota-michigan-2012-game-time-schedule-oddsDave Ryan