North Dakota State @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 20, 2007 ) North Dakota State 27, Minnesota 21

THE STORY: After a 1-2 start, host Minnesota will try to even its record in its final non-conference game against North Dakota State. The Gophers notched their first win in coach Jerry Kill’s tenure last week with a 29-23 victory over Miami (Ohio), Kill’s first game on the sideline since suffering a seizure late in the fourth quarter against New Mexico State on Sept. 10. North Dakota State is coming off a 56-3 rout of St. Francis (Penn.) and has outscored opponents 98-9 in its first two games. This will be the 10th meeting. Minnesota holds an 8-1 advantage, but the Bison racked up 585 total yards in their 27-21 victory in the most recent meeting in 2009.

TV: Big Ten Network. LINE: Minnesota -10

ABOUT NORTH DAKOTA STATE (2-0): Sam Ojuri rushed for a career-high 165 yards on 12 carries, and Brock Jensen threw for 139 yards and two touchdowns against St. Francis. The Bison, who rank first in the FCS in total defense, limited the Red Flash to 182 total yards, including 60 on the ground. In the first two games, North Dakota State, which is a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference, has held opponents to an average of 4.5 points.

ABOUT MINNESOTA (1-2): Marqueis Gray accounted for 334 of the team’s 399 yards last week, rushing for 171 yards - the most by a Minnesota quarterback - and passing for 163. But while the Minnesota offense has shown signs of life in recent weeks, the Gophers will have to shore up their defense, which is allowing 23 points and 399 yards per game. Also concerning is the health of Kill, who acknowledged earlier this week he has suffered more than 20 seizures since being carted off the field on Sept. 10.

EXTRA POINTS

1. North Dakota State is 1-14 all-time against Big Ten opponents.

2. Minnesota came from behind in all six of its wins in 2009, all three of its wins in 2010 and in its lone win so far in 2011.

3. The Gophers are 52-3 against FCS opponents.

PREDICTION: Minnesota 33, North Dakota State 24 - North Dakota State will get its points, but will struggle to contain Gray, whose dual-threat game will create problems.