Gophers Complete Nonconference Schedule with 49-7 Win over Colorado
September 17, 2022

Mohammed Ibrahim ran for 202 yards and three touchdowns as the Minnesota Gophers completed its nonconference schedule with a 49-7 win over the Colorado Buffaloes of the Pacific 12.

After opening wins over New Mexico State and Western Illinois by a combined score of 100-10, the Gophers played an opponent with more cache but one that was little better than the predecessors. Colorado came into the game as a 30-point underdog after opening losses to Texas Christian and Air Force by a combined 79-23.

Ibrahim had 132 yards on the ground versus New Mexico State and 130 against Western Illinois, coming out of both games after the opening drive of the second half. Today was no exception (although he came out during the first drive of the second half after passing 200 yards); Ibrahim had all three touchdowns and 179 of his yards in the first half.

Ibrahim capped the game-opening drive of 75 yards with a five-yard run. On Colorado’s first play from scrimmage, Terell Smith sacked J. T. Shrout and forced a fumble, which was recovered by Jalen Logan-Redding at the Colorado 11. Two carries by Ibrahim put it into the end zone for a 14-0 lead.

Late in the first quarter, Ibrahim reached 100 yards before Minnesota’s third drive was stymied when Brevyn Spann-Ford dropped a Tanner Morgan pass at the Colorado 15. The ball popped off Spann-Ford’s chest into the air and was intercepted by safety Isaiah Lewis. Colorado couldn’t move and punted. Ibrahim carried most of the load (with Trey Potts contributing) before dragging tacklers into the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown, his third of the game. To this point he had 139 yards and, with his 40th career touchdown rushing, tied the school record set by Darrell Thompson.

Ibrahim added 40 yards on the ground in the half while Tanner Morgan connected on a 39-yard touchdown to Chris Autman-Ball and one of 16 yards to Dylan Wright for a 35-0 halftime lead.

The second half featured a touchdown pass by Morgan to Clay Geary and a 22-yard touchdown run by Bryce Williams, who ended up as the Gophers’ second-leading rusher with 58 yards on four carries. Trey Potts rushed 13 times for 51 yards.

Morgan finished the game with 11 completions in 16 attempts for three touchdowns with one interception. Cole Kramer and Athan Kaliakmanis also took snaps for Minnesota in the game. Autman-Bell was the leading receiver with three catches for 58 yards before leaving the game with a leg injury in the second quarter.

Minnesota finished the game with 500 yards from scrimmage to 227 for Colorado.

The Gophers go to Michigan State next week for their Big Ten opener before coming home to play Purdue.

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