A crowd of over 15,000 turned out as Minnesota scored five touchdowns at the 2007 Spring Game at the Metrodome. Quarterbacks Tony Mortensen and Adam Weber completed a combined 17-of-28 passes for 178 yards as Minnesota concluded its first spring session under new head coach Tim Brewster.
After two defensive stops, Mortensen led the Maroon offense on an 11-play, 71-yard drive that culminated in an Amir Pinnix 9-yard touchdown run. Mortensen completed 4-of-5 passes on the drive, including three to Eric Decker. Mortensen hooked up with Decker two possessions later on a 48-yard scoring strike for Minnesota's second score of the afternoon.
In the second quarter, Weber hit Justin Valentine for a 26-yard pass that jumpstarted a 7-play, 64-yard scoring drive. Jay Thomas punched the ball into the end zone on a two-yard leap over the top for the third score of the day. The Gopher defense held on the next three possessions, including a blocked punt by Lee Campbell. Weber got hot again just before the end of the first half, completing three straight passes. He eventually hit Ernie Wheelwright on a 23-yard scoring play for Minnesota's fourth touchdown.
Early in the third quarter, Jason Giannini got the Gophers on the board again with a 47-yard field goal but the offense was limited in the third quarter as the defense stepped up its intensity. After three straight defensive holds in the fourth quarter, quarterback Mike Maciejowski scrambled and broke free, running 47 yards for the final score of the day.
Maciejowski led all rushers with 51 yards on two carries while Thomas had 38 yards onf five carries. Pinnix ended with 28 yards on seven carries. Mortensen finished 9-of-13 for 103 yards while Weber was 8-of-15 for 75 yards. Decker led all receivers with 81 yards on four catches.
Minnesota's defense played strong all day, holding the offense to 391 total yards and an average of 5.4 yards per play.
Dominique Barber led all Gophers with seven tackles, including two for a loss. He also forced a fumble. Jamal Harris had five tackles and an interception in the fourth quarter. Josh Robertson added five tackles as well. Four Gophers had interceptions, including Harris, Steve Davis, T.J. Wentzel and Tony Strouth.
Minnesota starts the 2007 regular season on September 1 to host Bowling Green at the Metrodome.
Courtesy: Alicia Jerome/University of Minnesota
