Nelson and Gophers trail Hawkeyes 17-0 at halftime
By Steve Pesek
Sep 28, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A general view of the line of scrimmage during a game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Iowa Hawkeyes at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Floyd of Rosedale looks to be staying in Iowa City for at least the next year. Through two quarters of play at TCF Bank Stadium, the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers trail the Iowa Hawkeyes by a score of 17-0.
Iowa ran the ball effectively behind junior running back Mark Weisman and sophomore quarterback Jake Rudock produced both Hawkeyes touchdowns — one on the ground and one through the air.
Sophomore Minnesota quarterback Philip Nelson returned to his roll as the starter for the Gophers and looked rusty in his return. The Mankato native went 6-for-10 passing for 67 yards and one interception. The once vaunted Minnesota rushing attack only gained 13 yards on 17 carries.
Rain and wind welcomed the crowd to the game this morning and right now there are plenty of wet and cold Gophers fans. Minnesota fans after seeing the play from the Gophers offense, immediately took to Twitter and voiced their frustration.
Pretty lame that after dominating two weeks in a row Leidner isn't playing. #disappointing #gophers
— conzy (@1conzy) September 28, 2013
We want Leidner!
— Kevin Logelin (@K_Logelin) September 28, 2013
The Lakeville native, Mitch Leidner, played well in his appearance for the Gophers over the last two weeks, including rushing for 151 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s win versus San Jose State University.
The Minnesota defense has also had their own concerns with injuries to multiple members of the secondary. Starting cornerback Derrick Wells exited early with a shoulder injury, but returned. Senior starting safety Brock Vereen also left the game with an apparent lower body injury and slammed his helmet in frustration as he left the field.
If head coach Jerry Kill and the Maroon and Gold cannot get on the scoreboard quickly to start the second half, the Hawkeyes faithful that made the trip to the Twin Cities will be celebrating with a bronze pig late into the night.
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