Minnesota 24, Penn State 10

The Gophers top the Nittany Lions 24-10 today in Minneapolis.  The Gophers improve to 8-2 on the season, yes that's right, 8-2!  Who saw that coming?  The wheels looked like they were falling off after that Michigan loss earlier in the season, but they have been lights out ever since.  You really have to give a ton of credit to Jerry Kill and his coaching staff, they have done a tremendous job this season.  The players have really rallied to Kill's aide too, they obviously have a great deal of affection for their coach.  Their 2 toughest games of the season (Wisconsin in 2 weeks, then @ Michigan State) are still yet to come but with their confidence growing exponentially, don't count these guys out.

Observations:

• Tracy Claeys improves to 4-1 as interim head coach.  
• Jerry Kill was in coaching booth once again.  
• That 96 yard TD drive in the first quarter was damn impressive!   
• Philip Nelson is looking better and better at QB for the Gophers. 
• The Gopher OL didn't miss a beat with 2 new starters. 
• David Cobb is closing in on a 1000 yard rushing season.  4 straight 100 yards games!
• Time of Possession:  Minnesota 35:28, Penn State 24:32.
• FB Mike Henry may be the most under appreciated player on the Gophers squad. 
• Pete Mortell has had a heckuva year punting the ball. 
• Damien Wilson has been solid at MLB for the Gophers this year. 
• It was an unusually quiet game for Ra'Shede Hageman. 
• The Gophers have been damn efficient on fourth down this year. 
• Freshmen WR's Donovahn Jones & Drew Wolitarsky are really stepping up their games.
• Is there a better young TE in the B1G than Maxx Williams? 
• I liked the Gophers Support the Troops helmets!  
• Penn St RB Zach Zwinak is a beast of a RB.  
• The Gophers did a nice job of containing Penn State WR Allen Robinson. 
• Did the Gophers break the Governor's Victory Bell?
• How can these locker room videos not get you pumped up for Gopher football?  
• Up next?  Wisconsin @ home on November 23.  Tough matchup.