Gophers survive Homecoming scare against Purdue

It was one of the sloppiest games you will ever see, but that won't change the value of Minnesota's 27-20 Homecoming win over Purdue.

The University of Minnesota had a huge week of Homecoming festivities leading up to Saturday's football game against Purdue. P.J. Fleck's Gophers came out flat. Purdue scored a 40-yard touchdown on its first drive of the game, and Minnesota punted on its first four offensive drives.

The Boilermakers took a 10-0 lead with 11:09 left in the second quarter, before Minnesota responded with its most efficient offensive drive of the game. Three plays, 75 yards, and Drake Lindsey connected with Le'Meke Brockington on a 24-yard touchdown.

Iowa transfer cornerback John Nestor reeled in his third interception of the season, and it looked like Minnesota finally found some momentum with a field goal on the following drive, and things were tied up at 10.

The Gophers' defense continued to have serious issues bringing down any Purdue ball carrier, and the Boilermakers added their second touchdown for the first half. Minnesota added a 29-yard field goal to make it 17-13 at halftime, but the score was not indicative of Purdue dominating all 30 minutes.

Minnesota quickly had a chance to come out for the second half with a different energy, but the offense immediately went three and out, and punted it back to Purdue, and the Boilermakers responded with another field goal to make it 20-13.

The Gophers' backs were against the wall, and Lindey delivered a 14-play, 70-yard touchdown drive, which ended with a four-yard toss to Jameson Geers to tie the game. Their fortune completely changed, and Koi Perich came up with a pick-six on Purdue's first play of the next drive to give Minnesota its first lead of the game.