When Gophers cornerback Eric Murray walloped Northwestern running back Justin Jackson on Saturday, the football popped into the air.
Near midfield and with Minnesota trailing 10-0 in the third quarter, the fumble was a golden chance to stop the Wildcats' momentum in the Big Ten opener. But Northwestern receiver Christian Jones fell on it just before Minnesota safety Adekunle Ayinde could pounce.
Northwestern fumbled three times and recovered each one during its 27-0 victory in Evanston, Ill.
"That's just sometimes how the ball rolls," Minnesota senior defensive end Theiren Cockran said. "It's just some weird things like that happen sometimes; but we've just got to stay patient.