Spartan’s Bell rushes for 265, beat Gophers 26-10

Nov 24, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA: Michigan State Spartans cornerback Darqueze Dennard (31) tips the ball away from Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Devin Crawford-Tufts (80) in the first half at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE

The Michigan State Spartans became bowl eligible with a dominating win over the Minnesota Gophers Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium.

Michigan State’s Le’Veon Bell, who has two 200-plus yard rush games already this season, added his third by rushing for 265 yards on 36 attempts, resulting in one touchdown.

The Gopher offense could not make anything happen gaining a total of 99 yards through four quarters while throwing four interceptions and having three different quarterbacks take snaps behind center.

Freshman Philip Nelson started the game and went on to finish 10-for-23, 61 yards and three interceptions. The sophomore Max Shortell checked in during the fourth quarter and completed half of his six attempts, throwing fro 31 yards and an interception.

• The only touchdown the Gophers had in this game was a 33-yard interception return by linebacker Aaron Hill in the first quarter.
• Besides a defensive touchdown, a 49-yard field goal by Jordan Wettstein accounted for the last three points for the Gophers.
• Senior MarQueis Gray took a snap as quarterback on Senior Day and also rushed five times for 4 yards.
• Coach Jerry Kill did not return to the sidelines following halftime and many speculated that he may have had another medical emergency. While no official word has been filed, indications from on-field reporters suggest he did not suffer any medical complications.
• The Gophers will find out where they will go play a bowl game next weekend, perhaps not as high of a bowl game as they imagined, following Purdue’s win today.