A two-yard first-quarter touchdown rush by running back Donnell Kirkwood has helped the Minnesota Golden Gophers earn a slim 7-3 halftime lead over the Syracuse Orange at TCF Stadium. Kirkwood's score came during the Gophers' second possession of the game and ended a five-play, 58-yard drive that gave Minnesota an early 7-0 lead.
On the ensuing possession, the Orange answered with a 33-yard field goal from sophomore kicker Ross Krautman. The kick polished off a 13-play, 67-yard march that ended with about two minutes to go in the first quarter.
No team scored in the second quarter but both had opportunities. Minnesota kicker Jordan Wettstein has missed two field goals, a 44-yarder that came on Gophers' first drive of the game while the another was a 26-yard attempt in the second quarter.
Meanwhile, SU's senior quarterback Ryan Nassib has turned the ball over twice. Nassib threw an interception on the game's opening play and then fumbled the ball in the second quarter when the Orange were inside Gopher territory.
For more on Syracuse football visit the SB Nation blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician, while The Daily Gophers is all about Minnesota football.