San Jose State Spartans vs Minnesota Golden Gophers Match Player Stats On Sep 21, 2013

SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 21, 2013

Minnesota 43, San Jose State 24: Mitch Leidner ran for 151 yards on 24 carries and set a school record for quarterbacks with four rushing touchdowns in his first career start as the Golden Gophers knocked off the visiting Spartans.

David Cobb added 125 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries for Minnesota (4-0), which controlled the clock for more than 41 minutes thanks to the relentless rushing attack. Leidner, a redshirt freshman who stepped in under center for an injured Philip Nelson last week, added 71 yards through the air while Minnesota outgained San Jose State 353-47 on the ground.

David Fales had the Spartans (1-2) within striking distance at the half, trailing 20-17, after throwing for 294 of his 439 yards and two of his three touchdown passes. Senior wide receiver Chandler Jones accounted for both of those scores and added another late in the game, totaling a career-high 197 yards on seven catches for San Jose State.

The Golden Gophers' defense adjusted well after halftime, intercepting Fales (22-of-35) deep in San Jose State territory on his second pass attempt of the third quarter. Leidner's third touchdown of the game three plays later put Minnesota ahead 26-17 and the Spartans never again threatened.

Jabari Carr added seven catches for 55 yards for San Jose State before leaving with an apparent ankle injury in the fourth quarter. The Spartans are already without senior wide receiver Noel Grigsby, who did not travel with the team after suffering a knee injury in practice Wednesday.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Leidner became the first Golden Gopher to score four touchdowns in a game since WR Logan Payne in 2006 and the first with four scores on the ground since Marion Barber III in 2003. ... P Harrison Waid, who also handles kickoffs for San Jose State, was ejected late in the game after instigating a skirmish at midfield during a return. ... Minnesota K Chris Hawthorne missed both a field goal attempt and an extra point in the first half and had another point after attempt blocked in the third quarter.