Football

Minnesota's football team had a great game. Key word: had.

Minnesota football fans are sure to remember (and try to forget) the Gophers' 44-14 loss Oct. 1 at Penn State. As bad a performance as that was for Minnesota's defense, just imagine giving up 41 points in the second half alone.

Followed by several players, Minnesota running back Laurence Maroney stormed onto the field after upsetting then-No. 21 Michigan 23-20 Saturday and attempted to plant the Minnesota flag in the center of Michigan's M logo at midfield of Michigan Stadium.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - It was no surprise to see Minnesota's football team have potency in its backfield. It was a surprise to see it have success in Michigan's. After allowing Penn State to dominate the line of scrimmage in its 44-14 win over the Gophers Oct. 1, Minnesota's defensive line looked the best it has all season against the Wolverines.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Minnesota football coach Glen Mason said he had no idea how much time was left on the clock. But with possession of the ball and one timeout remaining on the Michigan 12-yard line and the score tied at 20 in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter, he said he told the referee, "Don't let the clock run out on me," and then moved his attention to kicker Jason Giannini.

It was supposed to last at least another week. Minnesota's football team's game this Saturday at Michigan has been where the team has been tripped up in years past. Last year, the Wolverines ruined the Gophers' perfect 5-0 record. And the year before that, a loss to Michigan put an end to a 6-0 Minnesota start.

STATE COLLEGE, Penn. - It wasn't as if Minnesota's football team didn't try to give him the ball. Gophers running back Laurence Maroney returned the opening kickoff, carried the ball twice and caught a short pass on Minnesota's first three plays.