SEATTLE - Drake Lindsey made the most of his first-half chances and Minnesota made them count, slipping past Washington 27-24 on Saturday night behind a sharp opening burst that held up just enough.
Lindsey threw three touchdowns before halftime, hitting three different receivers and giving the Gophers the cushion they needed. He finished 21 of 29 for 204 yards, completed his first eight passes, and spread the ball to seven receivers. Javon Tracy led Minnesota’s receiving group with seven catches for 41 yards and a touchdown.
“Everyone was executing at a high level,” Lindsey said. “Just got to carry that to the second half and execute better.”
The first-half scoring came fast for Minnesota. Lindsey’s first career game with three touchdown passes in a half started with a 15-yard strike to Quayd Hendryx in the back corner of the end zone to make it 7-0. He followed that with a precise 9-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Smith, just beyond the reach of a Washington defender, pushing the Gophers ahead 14-0.
That was enough to put Minnesota in control early in the first Big Ten matchup of the season for both teams. The programs were meeting for the first time in 49 years.
Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. finished 17 of 27 for 207 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, and both picks came in Huskies territory. He also ran for a 13-yard touchdown that closed the scoring with 1:53 left.
Williams did his best work late. After Minnesota’s defense intercepted Lindsey, he sparked Washington’s comeback push with two 26-yard completions, then escaped a blitz on fourth down and flicked a back-foot throw to Baron Naone for a 15-yard touchdown that trimmed the margin to 24-17 with 11:03 remaining.
Minnesota answered with Luke Drzewiecki’s 51-yard field goal to stretch the lead back to 10.
“Offense, defense and special teams were completely together,” Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said.
The Gophers’ defense set the tone early and kept delivering. Anthony Smith’s hit on Williams forced an errant throw that landed in the hands of Maverick Baranowski, and Minnesota scored on the next play. The Gophers also piled up seven sacks and limited Washington to 1-for-10 on third down.
“The D-line got after it,” Baranowski said. “We've been challenging those guys - we've been on them in practice, encouraging those guy a lot. And they showed up today and made such a big impact on the game.”
TJ Thomas added 78 yards on 11 carries for Minnesota, while Washington’s Dezmen Roebuck caught seven passes for 87 yards and a touchdown.
Washington’s ground game remains a problem four games into the season. With Jordan Washington (neck), Quaid Carr (hand) and Jayden Limar (elbow) out long-term, Brian Bronner and Trey Cooley have split the work, but against Minnesota they combined for just 28 yards on 11 carries.
“The running back room is thin,” Washington coach Jedd Fisch said.
Minnesota, now 3-1, hosts No. 18 Michigan next Saturday.
In Other News...
Two Gophers Just Turned Breakout Games Into Major Recognition
Minnesotas win over Washington produced more than a good result on the scoreboard. It also gave the Gophers a pair of firsts, as linebacker Maverick Baranowski was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and kicker Luke Drzewiecki picked up Special Teams Player of the Week honors after standout performances that helped swing the game.
Baranowski filled the stat sheet with seven tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and the first interception of his career, while Drzewiecki stayed perfect on his field goal tries and drilled a career-long 51-yarder. For both players, the conference recognition is their first weekly Big Ten award, a sign that one strong afternoon can still carry real weight well beyond the final whistle. [Read more 🡒]
Minnesota Just Earned A Real Big Ten Chance To Climb
Week 4 gave the Big Ten the kind of shakeup that can change a race in a hurry, and Minnesota benefited from it in a major way. Iowa knocked off Michigan, Wisconsin rallied past Penn State, and the Gophers went on the road and beat Washington, a result that helped them gain real ground in the league picture while the conferences top tier kept jostling for position.
Minnesotas win now looks even better in the context of the updated rankings, because the Gophers are no longer just hanging around the discussion. With upsets piling up around them and Ohio State still showing its usual firepower behind Jeremiah Smiths four-touchdown day, Minnesota suddenly has a clearer path to climb if it keeps taking care of business from here. [Read more 🡒]
Gophers Get A Rare Chance To Change This Michigan Rivalry
The Little Brown Jug is back on the line Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium, and this one comes with a little extra weight for Minnesota. Michigan has controlled the rivalry for years, with the Gophers last win over the Wolverines coming in 2014 and their last home victory in the series all the way back in 1977, which is why hosting this game feels like more than just another Big Ten date on the schedule.
FOXs Big Noon Kickoff will be in Minneapolis for the occasion, giving the matchup a national stage as P.J. Flecks team tries to make the most of a rare chance to shift the tone of an old rivalry. Fleck had praise this week for linebacker Maverick Baranowski after Minnesotas win over Washington, and the Gophers would love for that momentum to carry into a game that has been waiting a long time for a different kind of ending in Minneapolis. [Read more 🡒]