Gophers-Maryland game recap

A quick look at Saturday's Gophers victory.

October 23, 2021 at 11:28PM
Minnesota running back Mar'Keise Irving (4) carries the ball against Maryland defensive back Nick Cross (3) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Gophers running back Mar’Keise Irving carried the ball against Maryland defensive back Nick Cross on Saturday. (Stacy Bengs, Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

OFFENSIVE MVPS

Ky Thomas and Mar'Keise "Bucky'' Irving, Gophers

Thomas, a redshirt freshman, rushed 21 times for 139 yards and a touchdown, and Irving, a true freshman, carried 15 times for 105 yards and a score. They became the first Gophers duo to rush for 100 yards in the same game since Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks against Illinois in 2019.

DEFENSIVE MVP

Jack Gibbens, Gophers

It was as team effort with many contributing, but the senior transfer from Abilene Christian made 10 tackles, including 1½ for loss, as the Gophers held Maryland to 268 yards and only 79 on the ground.

BY THE NUMBERS

37 Third-quarter yards for Maryland while the Gophers stretched their lead to 21 points.

1 Punt by the Gophers, and it didn't come until 5:09 remained in the fourth quarter.

3-3 The Gophers' record against Maryland since the Terrapins joined the Big Ten.

RANDY JOHNSON

about the writer

about the writer

Randy Johnson

College football reporter

Randy Johnson covers University of Minnesota football and college football for the Star Tribune, along with Gophers hockey and the Wild.

See More

More from Gophers

card image

Minnesota’s bench scored 50 points, including a team-leading 18 points from graduate transfer Annika Stewart, showcasing the depth that coach Dawn Plitzuweit promised.

card image
card image