One of the biggest upsets in college football's tumultuous Week 9 took place in Minnesota, where the Golden Gophers defeated the previously-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers, 34-23, granting Jerry Kill's squad bowl eligibility.
Nebraska vs. Minnesota 2013 results: Fan bases shocked after upset win
The Gophers are miraculously bowl eligible before the Cornhuskers.
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The Huskers took an early 10-0 lead and looked to be in control, but two touchdowns and a field goal from Minnesota made it 17-10 late in the second quarter. Pat Smith hit a 42-yard field goal in the closing seconds, cutting the Gopher lead to four at halftime.
Philip Nelson’s one-yard touchdown run opened up the third quarter and helped widen the Gopher gap, making it 24-13. A field goal gave Minnesota a two-touchdown lead, but Nebraska recovered on Taylor Martinez’s three-yard touchdown pass and another Smith field goal. Minnesota bled three minutes off the clock and Nelson ran it in for another short score, giving the final margin of 34-23.
GopherNation from The Daily Gopher praised the coaching staff for bringing the Minnesota program back in the right direction.
Great team effort and a tremendous win. A signature win. What I love most about this win is that it wasn’t one where we had to hang on for dear life as Nebraska marched down with an opportunity to win the game. Not this game, the Gopher defense forced a big 3-and-out and the offense followed it up with a game-capping touchdown drive to finish the game. No moral victories, no blown opportunities; they overcame mistakes and put away a good team.
Nebraska fans, meanwhile, are in despair, and Husker Mike from Corn Nation was not happy with the team’s performance.
Other than Nebraska not being able to block, catch, or tackle, it wasn't so bad.
Was it?
Yes it was. Taylor Martinez was a bit rusty, but more importantly, the Blackshirts were dominated by the Gophers. Minnesota remembered the Wisconsin game plan in the Big Ten championship game, and while they don't have the personnel to run the jet sweep, Nebraska bit on the fake enough to allow David Cobb to run wild.
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