half,Minneapolis, Minn., September 2, 2000-Minnesota (1-0) opened up the 2000 season with a 47-10 rout of UL Monroe (0-1) this afternoon at the Metrodome. Minnesota shut down UL Monroe in the second half, limiting the Indians to negative seven yards total offense and outscoring them 23-0 in the half.

After UL Monroe opened the game's scoring on a 29-yar d touchdown run by quarterback Andy Chance, the Golden Gophers scored 24 straight points to take a 24-7 lead in the second quarter. Minnesota opened its scoring on a 25-yard Dan Nystrom field goal with 5:46 left in the first quarter and cut the UL Monroe lead to 7-3.

Minnesota redshirt freshman quarterback Asad Abdul- Khaliq directed a five play, 61-yard drive that ended with his first career touchdown pass, a 38-yard toss to redshirt freshman tight end Ben Utecht. After free safety Delvin Jones recovered an Indian fumble, Abdul- Khaliq tossed a 37-yard touchdown pass to junior Ron Johnson to put Minnesota ahead 17-7. After a UL Monroe punt, Abdul-Khaliq engineered a 12-play, 85-yard drive that ended in an 18-yard TD pass to Johnson. He has touchdown grabs in the last five games.

Abdul-Khaliq left the game toward the end of the second quarter after a tough hit and did not return. He went 12 of 18 for 161 yards and three touchdowns in his debut.

UL Monroe ended the half with a 28-yard field goal by Justin Mink to close the halftime deficit to 24-10.

With junior transfer quarterback Travis Cole directing the offense, Minnesota added to its lead. Sophomore running back Tellis Redmon capped an eight play, 65-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run to put Minnesota ahead 31-10 entering the fourth quarter. The Golden Gophers increased their lead to 38-10 with 14:11 remaining in the fourth when Redmon plunged in from one yard out. Cole added a four-yard touchdown run with 9:40 remaining in the game and the Gopher defense recorded a safety after a poor UL Monroe punt snap in the end zone.

Redmon finished the game with 101 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries. It was his first 100-yard game in his first career start. Cole was 4 of 7 for 78 yards in addition to his rushing touchdown. Johnson was Minnesota's top receiver with six catches for 80 yards and two TDs.

The Golden Gophers racked up 420 yards of total offense while allowing just 232 and forcing two turnovers. UL Monroe was led by Andy Chance who was 17 of 30 for 173 yards while rushing for 73 yards on 12 carries. Kevin Stevenson had seven receptions for 103 yards.

Strong safety Clorenzo Griffin and defensive end Karon Riley led a solid defensive effort with seven tackles apiece. Riley also added a sack. Cedric Robinson and Carey Johnson each had seven stops for the Indians.

Minnesota's 47 points is the highest point output for a season opener since 1982 when it defeated Ohio 57-3.

Minnesota hosts Ohio University next Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the Metrodome.