Minnesota 44, Kent State 0

August 31, 2006 - Dix Stadium - Kent, OH


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NCAAF FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- MINNESOTA 14 3 21 6 44 KENT STATE 0 0 0 0 0 FINAL

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST QTR: MINN - TD, ERIC DECKER 39 YD PASS FROM BRYAN CUPITO (JASON GIANNINI KICK), 8:39 MINN - TD, ALEX DANIELS 3 YD RUN (JASON GIANNINI KICK), 3:35 2ND QTR: MINN - FG, JASON GIANNINI 22 YD, 8:58 3RD QTR: MINN - TD, ALEX DANIELS 1 YD RUN (JASON GIANNINI KICK), 12:09 MINN - TD, ALEX DANIELS 6 YD RUN (JASON GIANNINI KICK), 8:57 MINN - TD, AMIR PINNIX 15 YD RUN (JASON GIANNINI KICK), 3:18 4TH QTR: MINN - TD, JUSTIN VALENTINE 2 YRD RUN (PAT FAILED), 10:38


Extended Box

NCAAF 1 2 3 4 F - - - - -- Minnesota 14 3 21 6 44 Kent State 0 0 0 0 0 FINAL

Minnesota-Decker 39 pass from Cupito (Giannini kick) Minnesota-Daniels 3 run (Giannini kick) Minnesota-FG Giannini 22 Minnesota-Daniels 1 run (Giannini kick) Minnesota-Daniels 6 run (Giannini kick) Minnesota-Pinnix 15 run (Giannini kick) Minnesota-Valentine 2 run (kick failed)

Minnesota Kent State First downs 25 13 Rushed-yards 55-322 37-132 Passing yards 146 150 Sacked-yards lost 0-0 5-24 Return yards 11 0 Passes 8-15-1 7-13-3 Punts 1-34.0 2-33.0 Fumbles-lost 0-0 5-3 Penalties-yards 5-44 4-28 Time of possession 30:27 29:20

Individual Statistics RUSHING: Minnesota-Daniels 24-155, Pinnix 15-114, Cupito 2-16, Sherrer 5-13, Mortensen 2-10, Valentine 4-9, E.J. Jones 3-9. Kent State-Jarvis 15-109, Edelman 14-31, T Howard 5-13, Woodson 1-8, Jayjack 1-(-1).

PASSING: Minnesota-Cupito 8-13-0-146, Mortensen 0-2-1-0. Kent State-Edelman 7-13-3-150.

RECEIVING: Minnesota-Spaeth 3-58, Decker 1-39, Payne 1-17, Simmons 1-17, Wheelwright 1-15, Valentine 1-0. Kent State-Pruden 5-118, M Hill 1-31, D Rogers 1-1.

Att: 20,126


Game Story

KENT, Ohio (AP) -- Converted linebacker Alex Daniels rushed for 155 yards and three touchdowns to lead Minnesota over Kent State 44-0 Thursday night in Glen Mason's return to the school where he got his head coaching start. Daniels, a highly touted linebacker whom Mason switched to running back following several losses at the position, opened the third quarter by carrying all seven times on a 56-yard touchdown drive. The sophomore enjoyed wide open running lanes and punished Kent State's defenders with his 6-foot-3, 255-pound frame. He scored on runs of 1, 3 and 6 yards. After Daniels left, Amir Pinnix scored on a 15-yard run and Justin Valentine on a 2-yard run. Pinnix finished with 114 yards. The Golden Gophers (1-0) forced six turnovers, including two interceptions by Jamal Harris, to dominate Kent State in what amounted to a tune up for their Sept. 9 game at No. 9 California. Minnesota's defense twice allowed Kent State (0-1) to reach the 1-yard line in the first half, but the Golden Flashes wasted both opportunities. Julian Edelman hit Najah Pruden on a 64-yard pass, but as Pruden fought to break a tackle, linebacker Mario Reese forced a fumble and recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchback. The Golden Flashes, 1-10 last season, got to the 1-yard line again behind strong running by Eugene Jarvis, but failed to get in on three attempts. Reid Macko missed a 19-yard field goal. Jarvis ran for 109 yards and Pruden had five catches for 118 yards. Edelman was 7-of-13 for 150 yards and three interceptions. Minnesota's Bryan Cupito was 8-of-14 for 146 yards and a 39-yard touchdown to Eric Decker. Jason Giannini, who missed eight extra point attempts last season, kicked a 22-yard field goal and was 5-of-6 on PATs. Mason was 12-10 in two seasons at Kent State (1986-87) and is the last Golden Flashes coach with consecutive winning records in the Mid-American Conference. Kent State fell to 0-8 against the Big Ten. The Gophers were the first Big Ten team to play at Kent State.