After a quiet 78 yards in the Gophers season-opener last Thursday, senior running back David Cobb is running past the Middle Tennessee State defense at will. With 111 rushing yards and one touchdown, Cobb has helped power Minnesota to a 28-0 first half advantage.

While Cobb’s been phenomenal, Minnesota mostly has its defense to thank for the big lead. After an uneventful first quarter, sophomore defensive back Jalen Myrick jumped a route and ran an interception back for a touchdown to give Minnesota a 14-0 lead.

Three plays later, redshirt junior defensive lineman Theiren Cockran hit Middle Tennessee State quarterback Austin Grammer as he threw. Gophers senior linebacker Damien Wilson picked the ball off near the line of scrimmage.

With the ball at the Middle Tennessee State 27 yard-line, Gophers quarterback Mitch Leidner threw a play-action pass to redshirt sophomore tight end Maxx Williams to put Minnesota up 21-0. 

Leidner appeared more comfortable under center for most of the half, completing five of nine passes for 67 yards. But the Lakeville, Minn., native badly overthrew multiple receivers toward the second quarter's close. Leidner’s last pass attempt of the first half soared over KJ Maye’s head and was intercepted.

Despite being the fourth running back senior Donnell Kirkwood showed he’s still useful, running for nineteen yards and one touchdown.