Minnesota @ New Mexico State preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 10, 2011 ) New Mexico State 28, Minnesota 21

After making an impressive opening statement, Minnesota looks to ride the momentum into Saturday’s matchup at New Mexico State. The Gophers scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams in their Week 1 win over UNLV – the first time they had done that since 1999. They also scored three touchdowns of at least 50 yards for the first time since 1987 in the 51-23 victory.

Philip Nelson scored two rushing touchdowns and threw for another to begin his season in style. The sophomore quarterback should find plenty of success Saturday against an Aggies defense that allowed No. 15 Texas to amass a school-record 715 yards of offense in last week’s 56-7 defeat. New Mexico State actually led 7-0 late in the second quarter before Texas scored eight touchdowns in a span of 10 possessions.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, BTN2GO. LINE: Minnesota -15.5.

ABOUT MINNESOTA (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten): Gophers running back Donnell Kirkwood suffered an ankle injury against UNLV and is questionable for this one. One of his top backups, freshman Berkley Edwards, is also nursing an ankle injury and appears unlikely to play Saturday. Minnesota coach Jerry Kill may have to lean on sophomore Rodrick Williams Jr. (four carries, 13 yards) and junior David Cobb (six carries, 69 yards), each of whom saw limited action in the opener.

ABOUT NEW MEXICO STATE (0-1): The Aggies, who went 1-11 last season, are counting on new coach Doug Martin to turn around the program. One familiar face for New Mexico State is senior safety Davis Cazares, who led the Western Athletic Conference with 116 tackles in 2012. Another key senior is quarterback Andrew McDonald, who threw for 242 yards and ran for a team-high 50 yards in Saturday’s loss to Texas – the Aggies’ 12th straight defeat.

EXTRA POINTS

1. This is the first time New Mexico State has ever hosted a Big Ten opponent.

2. Minnesota already has more plays of at least 50 yards (four) than it had all of last season (three).

3. The Aggies shocked the Gophers, 28-21, in September 2011, but they are just 4-20 since that stunning road upset.

PREDICTION: Minnesota 27, New Mexico State 13