Minnesota defense fuels 29-12 victory over Northwestern
Minnesota's defense delivered an overpowering performance and Mitch Leidner threw his first touchdown pass in seven weeks, guiding the Gophers to a 29-12 victory over Northwestern on Saturday.
NCAA - Football
FINAL
Northwestern Wildcats
12
Minnesota Golden Gophers
29
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NW | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 12 |
| MINN | 6 | 6 | 3 | 14 | 29 |
Huntington Bank Stadium · 38,162 att.
Match Report
Last five matches
| Date | Opp | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/14/26 | @ Ohio State Buckeyes | L 19-28 | NCAAF |
| 11/7/26 | vs Iowa Hawkeyes | L 10-24 | NCAAF |
| 10/31/26 | @ Oregon Ducks | L 26-34 | NCAAF |
| 10/24/26 | vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights | W 42-14 | NCAAF |
| 10/17/26 | @ Michigan State Spartans | W 24-21 | NCAAF |
| Full Schedule | |||
Play by Play
-
Touchdown 2:31 12-29
Mitch Leidner 12 Yd Run (Emmit Carpenter Kick)
-
Touchdown 2:46 12-22
Flynn Nagel 9 Yd pass from Clayton Thorson (Two-Point Pass Conversion Failed)
-
Touchdown 6:46 6-22
Drew Wolitarsky 9 Yd pass from Mitch Leidner (Emmit Carpenter Kick)
-
Touchdown 2:17 6-15
Justin Jackson 4 Yd Run (Two-Point Run Conversion Failed)
-
Field Goal 6:28 0-15
Emmit Carpenter 30 Yd Field Goal
-
Field Goal 0:21 0-12
Emmit Carpenter 42 Yd Field Goal
-
Field Goal 7:40 0-9
Emmit Carpenter 19 Yd Field Goal
-
Touchdown 12:18 0-6
Rodney Smith 5 Yd Run (Emmit Carpenter PAT failed)
-
MINN
2 plays, -2 yards, 0:46 · End of Game
-
NW 0:46
6 plays, 35 yards, 1:45 · Downs
-
MINN 2:31
2 plays, 15 yards, 0:15 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 2:31 12-29
Mitch Leidner 12 Yd Run (Emmit Carpenter Kick)
-
NW 2:46
11 plays, 78 yards, 4:00 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 2:46 12-22
Flynn Nagel 9 Yd pass from Clayton Thorson (Two-Point Pass Conversion Failed)
-
MINN 6:46
12 plays, 80 yards, 6:26 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 6:46 6-22
Drew Wolitarsky 9 Yd pass from Mitch Leidner (Emmit Carpenter Kick)
-
NW 13:12
3 plays, 6 yards, 1:12 · Punt
-
MINN 14:24
3 plays, -6 yards, 1:25 · Punt
-
NW 0:49
4 plays, 9 yards, 1:21 · Downs
-
MINN 2:10
0 plays, 0 yards, 0:07 · Fumble
-
NW 2:10
12 plays, 75 yards, 4:18 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 2:17 6-15
Justin Jackson 4 Yd Run (Two-Point Run Conversion Failed)
-
MINN 6:28
9 plays, 38 yards, 4:16 · Field Goal
-
Field Goal 6:28 0-15
Emmit Carpenter 30 Yd Field Goal
-
NW 10:44
3 plays, 3 yards, 1:44 · Punt
-
MINN 12:28
3 plays, -2 yards, 1:34 · Punt
-
NW 14:02
3 plays, 8 yards, 0:58 · Punt
-
NW
2 plays, -1 yard, 0:21 · End of Half
-
MINN 0:21
4 plays, 5 yards, 0:45 · Field Goal
-
Field Goal 0:21 0-12
Emmit Carpenter 42 Yd Field Goal
-
NW 1:06
2 plays, 5 yards, 0:28 · Fumble
-
MINN 1:34
5 plays, 10 yards, 1:27 · Punt
-
NW 3:01
9 plays, 56 yards, 4:39 · Downs
-
MINN 7:40
7 plays, 66 yards, 3:18 · Field Goal
-
Field Goal 7:40 0-9
Emmit Carpenter 19 Yd Field Goal
-
NW 10:58
4 plays, 13 yards, 2:06 · Punt
-
MINN 13:04
5 plays, 26 yards, 2:33 · Interception
-
NW 0:37
3 plays, 4 yards, 0:48 · Punt
-
MINN 1:25
3 plays, 3 yards, 0:48 · Punt
-
NW 2:13
9 plays, 53 yards, 4:13 · Missed FG
-
MINN 6:26
3 plays, 2 yards, 1:50 · Punt
-
NW 8:16
5 plays, 25 yards, 1:30 · Fumble
-
MINN 9:46
3 plays, 3 yards, 1:20 · Punt
-
NW 11:06
3 plays, -10 yards, 1:12 · Punt
-
MINN 12:18
7 plays, 80 yards, 2:42 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 12:18 0-6
Rodney Smith 5 Yd Run (Emmit Carpenter PAT failed)
Showing the last 38 of 38 events.
Team Stats
NW
MINN
21
1st Downs
15
2-15
3rd down efficiency
4-13
1-4
4th down efficiency
0-0
339
Total Yards
328
276
Passing
197
28/45
Comp/Att
14/25
6.1
Yards per pass
7.9
63
Rushing
131
33
Rushing Attempts
40
1.9
Yards per rush
3.3
3-20
Penalties
6-50
2
Turnovers
2
2
Fumbles lost
1
0
Interceptions thrown
1
30:35
Possession
29:25
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