Deadly drives
The Gophers battled both Maryland and Purdue to the final moments. In both games, the Gophers' opponent won, in part because they cashed in on drives late in the game:
Maryland (31-24 Gophers loss)
The Terrapins won by hogging the ball in the fourth quarter and pushing the ball over the goalline twice, tilting a back-and-forth game in their favor. Their drives that ended in the fourth quarter:
Possession startDriveResult
Received punt11 plays, 65 yardsTouchdown (24-17 Mary.)
Received punt6 plays, 17 yardsPunt
Received kickoff8 plays, 74 yardsTouchdown (31-24 Mary.)
Interception3 plays, 12 yardsTime expired
Final drives28 plays14 points
Purdue (31-17 Gophers loss)
Purdue put itself in position to score on all but one of its second-half drives last Saturday. The Boilermakers erased the Gophers' 14-6 lead, led by a touchdown with a minute to play and returned an interception at the end to halt a Minnesota comeback. Their six second-half possessions led to 25 points, 18 of which came in the fourth quarter:
Possession startDriveResult
Received kickoff10 plays, 52 yardsTouchdown (14-13 Minn.)
Received punt7 plays, 33 yardsPunted
Received punt4 plays, 6 yardsMissed FG (52 yards)
Received punt10 plays, 78 yardsField goal (16-14 Pur.)
Received kickoff4 plays, 56 yardsTouchdown (24-17 Pur.)
Interception0 plays (return)Touchdown (31-17 Pur.)
Second half6 poss., 4 scores25 points (18 4th Q.)
