Not really to much to say about this one. The final score says it all, other than the fact that it could have been much worse. Which is saying a lot because it's already the largest Big Ten loss in Gopher history.
Michigan leads the all-time series between these two teams 75-25-3 including winning 41 of 45 meetings dating back to 1968.
The Gophers were 1-3 heading into the Big Ten Opener, one week after a loss to FCS North Dakota State at TCF Bank Stadium. It couldn't get more embarassing for Gopher fans than that, right?
Wrong.
Michigan welcomed first year head coach Jerry Kill and the Gophers to the Big House on October 1st, 2011 and, in front of a crowd of 111,000 strong, proceeded to annihilate the Gophers.
But perhaps annihilate is too nice of a word.
Michigan dominated in all aspects of the game. It was Michigan's first Big Ten shutout since 2001, and their first shutout of any opponent since 2007. Michigan outgained Minnesota 580-177. Junior running back Vincent Smith had touchdowns rushing, passing and receiving on Michigan's first four drives.
Vincent Smith (2) had 72 all purpose yards and
3 TDs in the first half
Denard Robinson was 15-19 for 169 yards and 2 TDs along with 53 rushing yards and a TD before being pulled after jumping out to a 38-0 halftime lead. Backup running back Fitzgerald Toussaint had 108 yards and a touchdown, freshman Thomas Rawls had 73 yards rushing, and senior Michael Shaw added 60 yards on the ground. The Wolverines gained 10 or more yards on 18 different plays.
QB Max Shortell was 11-22 for 121 yards against Michigan
The Gophers were in a great position to score and break the shut out before a David Cobb fumble was returned 83 yards for a touchdown by Courtney Avery.
While the numbers were ugly, the outcome was much worse. The 58-point rout was only the third worse loss in Gophers history, because the Wolverines took their foot off the gas.
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