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Gophers lose to Indiana in overtime after trading 60-yard field goals
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- Gophers lose to Indiana in overtime after trading 60-yard field goals
The Gophers found themselves in another Big Ten dogfight this week against No. 4 Indiana on the road. After exchanging 60-yard field goals at the end of regulation, Minnesota's upset bid fell short, 23-16, in overtime.
Just like last week's upset win over Iowa, a special teams mistake from Indiana set the Gophers up for an early field goal and a 3-0 lead in the first quarter. Minnesota's offense struggled to take advantage, and a Drake Lindsey fumble on its next offensive drive set up Indiana for an easy touchdown drive and a 7-3 lead.
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Both Indiana and Minnesota struggled to find consistent offensive success in the first half. Another mistake from the Hoosiers' special teams set the Gophers' offense up with great field position, and they pulled out a reverse flea-flicker to find freshman tight end Roman Voss for a 39-yard touchdown.
Another impressive showing from Minnesota's defense and elite special teams helped the Gophers carry a 10-7 lead into the locker room against the No. 4 team in the country on the road.
The second half carried much of the same theme, but Indiana made a QB change, with Grant Wilson replacing Josh Hoover, who was slightly banged up at the end of the first half. Indiana's offense performed significantly better, but its special teams struggles continued.
Indiana missed one field goal, had another blocked, and botched the snap and hold on a third attempt. The Gophers' special teams were far more consistent all afternoon, which was a major reason they stayed in the game until the very end.
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It appeared that Minnesota was going to pull off the stunning upset after Luke Drzewiecki drilled a 60-yard field goal with 22 seconds left, but Indiana stunningly turned around and hit a 60-yard field goal of its own to force overtime, despite its inconsistent special teams play all afternoon.
Indiana found superstar wide receiver Charlie Becker for a touchdown on its first play of overtime, and the Gophers had no answer. Drake Lindsey finished the day 20 of 37 for 120 yards and one touchdown in one of the most frustrating offensive performances you'll ever see.
Life doesn't get any easier for Minnesota, which will now shift its focus to hosting undefeated UCLA next week in another marquee Big Ten opportunity.
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This story was originally published by Bring Me The Sports on Oct 31, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Gophers section. Add Bring Me The Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
