CORVALLIS, Ore. — Shannon Brooks scored three touchdowns and Minnesota turned three Oregon State turnovers in 17 points as the Gophers defeated Beavers 48-14 Saturday night.
Conor Rhoda, who came into the game sharing the quarterback position with sophomore Demry Croft, completed 7 of 8 passes for 158 yards and one touchdown. Tyler Johnson caught four passes for 127 yards and a touchdown for Minnesota, now 2-0 under first-year coach P.J. Fleck.
Minnesota’s running game punished the Oregon State (1-2) defense, allowing the Gophers to control the ball for more than 38 minutes. Rodney Smith ran 30 times for 92 yards and a touchdown, while Brooks had 17 carries for 91 yards.
Oregon State’s Jake Luton completed 16 of 28 passes for 135 yards, while the Beavers had just 80 yards rushing.
Minnesota outgained Oregon State 411-225 and forced three turnovers, all fumbles, resulting in two touchdowns and a field goal. Oregon State had 35 total yards and one first down during the second half.
THE TAKEAWAY
Minnesota: Tyler Johnson is quickly emerging as an offensive star after back-to-back 100-yard receiving games to start the season. The sophomore recorded his second touchdown play of more than 60 yards this season with a 67-yard catch-and-run that gave the Gophers a 7-0 first-quarter lead. . Minnesota has won three consecutive games over Pac-12 opponents during the past two years. In 2016, the Gophers beat Oregon State in the season opener, and Washington State in the Holiday Bowl … Carpenter, the 2016 Big Ten kicker of the year, appears back on track after missing his first two field goal attempts of the season. Emmit Carpenter has made three consecutive field goals, including kicks of 26 and 49 yards against OSU.
Oregon State: One of coach Gary Andersen’s stated goals heading into the season was 30 sacks by the defense. Through three games, the Beavers have yet to record a sack. … Following a week where the Willamette Valley skies were filled with smoke from statewide wildfires, there was blue sky and clouds over Reser Stadium prior to kickoff, followed by periodic rain during the game … Safety Jalen Moore was ejected from the game for targeting late in the third quarter.
UP NEXT
Oregon State, finished with its non-league schedule, opens Pac-12 Conference play at Washington State on Saturday.
