When Gophers quarterback Mitch Leidner threw behind and incomplete to an open Drew Wolitarsky in the second quarter Saturday, fans at TCF Bank Stadium booed the struggling offense.
Leidner slightly redeemed himself with an easy swing pass to KJ Maye for a 14-yard touchdown late in the quarter, and the 24-point favorite Gophers led Kent State 10-0 at halftime.
The Gophers looked to Saturday's game against a Mid-American Conference foe as a point of demarcation in the coach Jerry Kill era. With a win, Kill's program would reach 27-27 in his fifth season.
But for this program to turn into a consistent winner after going 9-16 in Kill's opening two seasons, they need better quarterback play.