Minnesota Hangs On for 30-23 Victory Over Oregon State

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Rodney Smith rushed for 125 yards and two touchdowns and Minnesota overcame three ejections for targeting to beat Oregon State 30-23 Thursday night.

Smith scored on runs of 4 and 2 yards, the last coming in the fourth quarter to put the Gophers in front 24-23. Mitch Leidner was erratic as ever in going 13 for 26 for 130 yards. But he rushed for 76 yard and two scores, the last a 1-yard run with 1:27 left to give the Gophers a seven-point cushion.

The Gophers lost linebackers Cody Poock and Jonathan Celestin, and defensive end Tai'yon Devers to targeting penalties for helmet-to-helmet hits. But the short-handed defense held Oregon State scoreless for the final 15 minutes.

Darrell Garretson threw for 228 yards and three touchdowns for Oregon State. The junior transfer lost two fumbles on crunching sacks by Devers in the first half, but Garretson bounced back to keep the Beavers in it. He threw TDs to Noah Togiai, Victor Bolden and Tim Cook.

Up next, the Beavers get next week off before hosting Idaho State for their home opener on September 17th.