Against a Michigan State defense that’s allowing on average less than 70 yards rushing per game, the Gophers have been able to find success on the ground, rushing for 85 yards. But Minnesota trails at halftime, 7-3.
Tailback David Cobb has 15 rushes for 50 yards for Minnesota and the offense has 108 yards total, compared to 145 by the Spartans.
Michigan State scored first in the first quarter with a 15 yard rush by running back Jeremy Langford, but since the opening possession score, the Gophers’ defense has been able to shut down the Spartans to just 67 yards rushing. Spartans’ quarterback Connor Cook has also been bothered today by the pass rush, completing only 5-of-11 passes for 78 yards.
On the other side of the field, Philip Nelson has thrown two interceptions and has only completed 3-of-7 passes for 23 yards — he also has three rushes for 14 yards.