With the Gophers trailing Rutgers 32-31 late in Saturday's homecoming game, if it felt like Minnesota had been there before, it had.
The Gophers played Ohio for homecoming last year and trailed that Mid-American Conference team by four points with 2 minutes, 22 seconds remaining. But Mitch Leidner led the Gophers on a 78-yard touchdown drive that sealed that 27-24 victory over the Bobcats.
This time, a Drew Wolitarsky fumble had led to Rutgers' go-ahead field goal with 4:01 remaining.
"I asked the guys, 'I need everything out of you here,' " Leidner said.
Rodney Smith gained most of the yardage on the drive, but Leidner hit Wolitarsky with a 9-yard pass for a first down and added an 8-yard rush. Emmit Carpenter's 28-yard field goal with six seconds remaining gave the Gophers a 34-32 win.
Leidner finished 11-for-18 for 156 yards and one interception, adding seven carries for 39 yards and a touchdown.
He suffered a concussion against Iowa on Oct. 8 and missed last week's win against Maryland, when Conor Rhoda led the Gophers to a 31-10 victory. But Leidner passed the concussion protocol late in the week, and coach Tracy Claeys didn't hesitate to start the senior against Rutgers.
"If the doctors aren't concerned, I'm not concerned," Claeys said. "They're the ones who made that call and said he was fine. … Any time your starter's ready to go, I think that's what you do."
Restraining orders restrict sixth player
The Gophers were missing six players because of restraining orders that kept them from TCF Bank Stadium — KiAnte Hardin, Ray Buford, Tamarion Johnson, Dior Johnson, Carlton Djam and Kiondre Thomas.
Five of those players were known Friday, but attorney Lee Hutton said Saturday that Thomas had been served as well. Thomas is a freshman cornerback who has yet to play this season.
"He was not even alleged of any misconduct," Hutton said in a text message.
The six restraining orders stem from an alleged incident Sept. 2, in the early morning hours after the season opener. The alleged victim, who is part of the Gophers gameday operation, petitioned to keep the players from TCF Bank Stadium, as well as her apartment, for two years.
The six players have a hearing Tuesday. Hutton who represents all six, said he expects the restraining orders to be overturned.
The Gophers suspended Hardin, Buford, Dior Johnson and Tamarion Johnson for three games earlier in the season while Minneapolis police investigated. The players were reinstated after Hennepin County announced that it was declining to press charges.
Without Hardin, Buford and Thomas, the Gophers had only four cornerbacks available against Rutgers. Jalen Myrick and Antonio Shenault were the two starters.
Injury report
• Tight end Brandon Lingen was carted off the field because of a left foot injury in the third quarter and returned on crutches with a protective boot.
• Linebacker Cody Poock returned from a shoulder injury and made two tackles.
• Right tackle Garrison Wright and right guard Vincent Calhoun are both dealing with foot injuries, so the Gophers interspersed them with right tackle Chad Fahning and right guard Connor Mayes.
Targeting for Lynn
Gophers linebacker Jack Lynn was ejected for targeting on Rutgers' first drive of the second half and will miss the first half of next week's game against Illinois.
Lynn was penalized for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Rutgers receiver Jawuan Harris on an incomplete pass. Replays showed it was a tough hit for Lynn to avoid as Harris lowered his head trying to make the catch.
"I saw the call, but I didn't see what else went on," Claeys said. "So I will hold my comment until later."
