The Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-3) dropped their third straight game Saturday night after getting walloped in primetime, 45-17, by the No. 16-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions (6-1).
The Gophers were without starting quarterback Tanner Morgan, who was held out of the game due to a concussion suffered the previous week, snapping his streak of 45 consecutive starts. Redshirt freshman quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis made his first career start, finishing 9-of-22 for 175 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception.
The Gophers struck first, set up by a Justin Walley interception in the first quarter. Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford took a deep shot but overthrew his intended receiver and sailed the ball into the open arms of Walley, who returned it all the way to Nittany Lions’ 14-yard line.