Gopher fan angst is a common phenomenon, particularly early in the season. Minnesota opened their 2018 season against New Mexico State with dropped passes, penalties, a fumbled snap, back to back three and outs and saw themselves down 7-10 early in the second quarter. The angst was real.
The Gopher defense got things going early for Minnesota. A Thomas Barber interception at the 50 yard line set up the games initial touchdown. Rodney Smith did most of the work getting the offense down to the 7-yard line when Zack Annexstad hit Tyler Johnson for the game’s opening score.