MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Mo Ibrahim ran for three touchdowns, Tanner Morgan threw for three more and the Minnesota Gophers' defense stifled the Colorado Buffaloes in a 49-7 win on Saturday.
The Gophers’ offense, ranked first in FBS in total yards and seventh in points scored entering the week, racked up 500 yards, including 349 yards in a 35-point first half. The starters scored touchdowns on six of their eight drives.
Ibrahim scored the team's first three touchdowns, the last an 18-yard run in the second quarter that tied him with Darrell Thompson for Minnesota's career rushing touchdowns record. Ibrahim compiled 202 rushing yards, a school-record fourth time he's run for 200-plus yards.
Morgan completed 11 of his 16 passes for 157 yards. After throwing an interception in the second quarter, Morgan threw two touchdown passes in the second quarter — a 39-yard strike to Chris Autman-Bell and a 16-yard throw to Dylan Wright — and added another in the third quarter.
Meanwhile, Colorado's offense was nearly non-existent as it continued to rotate Sophomores J.T. Shrout and Brendon Lewis at quarterback. Shrout started the game but was replaced by Lewis for the second series after Shrout was striped and sacked on the Buffaloes' first offensive snap. Shrout completed 4-of-11 passes for 24 yards and one touchdown. Lewis completed 2-of-6 passes for 14 yards. Colorado managed 227 yards, 136 of which came in the fourth quarter with most of the Gophers' starters out.
The Buffaloes' fourth quarter touchdown, a 4-yard touchdown throw from Shrout to Aubrey Smith, was the second touchdown the Gophers' defense has allowed all season.
It's the second year in a row that Minnesota has shut out Colorado. The Gophers beat the Buffaloes 30-0 in Boulder, Colo. last season.
It marked the return of Mike Sanford to the Twin Cities, now the offensive coordinator for the Buffaloes. Sanford was fired by Minnesota's P.J. Fleck last November after two seasons as the Gophers' offensive coordinator.
INJURED
Minnesota wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell left the game in the second quarter with an apparent right knee injury. Autman-Bell fell to the ground holding the knee after attempting to corral an errant pass from Morgan. He could not put any weight on his right leg as he left the field. Autman-Bell was the Gophers' No. 1 in 2021 and led the team in receiving through two games this season.
THE TAKEAWAY
Colorado’s offensive struggles continue. The Buffaloes have averaged 10 points through three games and have yet to score two touchdowns in a game.
Minnesota rolled through non-conference play, outscoring opponents 149-17. The Gophers’ three non-conference opponents went 8-27 in 2021 and are winless so far in 2022. Headed to Big Ten play the schedule gets tougher.
UP NEXT
Colorado hosts UCLA in its Pac-12 Conference opener.
Minnesota travels to Michigan State for its first road and Big 10 Conference game of the season.
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