A couple early turnovers threatened to bring a repeat of last year’s 30-7 loss to TCU, but the Minnesota Golden Gophers weathered the storm before a fourth quarter rally came up short in a 23-17 loss Thursday night.
TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin was largely as advertised, with 338 yards of total offense (92 rushing) and a touchdown passing and rushing. But the Gophers limited him to less than six yards per completion, and a 19-yard touchdown on the ground was the early Heisman Trophy candidate’s longest run of the night.
Minnesota quarterback Mitch Leidner was routinely off the mark throwing the ball, and he finished 19-for-35 for 197 yards along with 23 rushing yards.