Trey Potts rushed for a career-high 178 yards and two touchdowns and Tanner Morgan passed for two scores as host Minnesota posted a 31-26 win over Miami (Ohio) on Saturday in Minneapolis.

The Redhawks outgained the Golden Gophers 128-15 in the third quarter and struck for 17 straight points to begin the second half. The spurt, however, wasn't enough to erase the 21-3 edge Minnesota built at intermission.

After a 23-yard touchdown pass from Brett Gabbert to Jack Sorenson brought Miami (Ohio) to within 21-20 with 12:32 to play, the Golden Gophers responded with Potts' 21-yard scoring run with 9:53 left. Minnesota's Tyler Nubin intercepted Gabbert on the next Redhawks' possession, which ended with Matthew Trickett's 50-yard field goal.

Still, the Redhawks (0-2, 0-0 Mid-American) weren't done, as Gabbert found Mac Hippenhammer for a 33-yard touchdown with 3:43 left. The two-point conversion attempt failed, accounting for the final margin.

Minnesota (1-1, 0-1 Big Ten) began life without reigning Big Ten Running Back of the Year Mo Ibrahim, who sustained a season-ending lower left leg injury against Ohio State in the opener.

Potts, one of the Golden Gophers expected to fill the void, shined before the home crowd. He opened the scoring with a 4-yard touchdown run with 9:29 to go in the first quarter, capitalizing on a fumble by the Redhawks on the game's opening possession.

Miami (Ohio) managed a mere 20 yards of offense in the second quarter, prompting Redhawks coach Chuck Martin to replace quarterback Gabbert with AJ Mayer to open the third quarter.

Following a Golden Gophers three-and-out to begin the second half, Mayer capped an eight-play, 59-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, drawing Miami (Ohio) within 21-10. Gabbert saw a majority of the snaps down the stretch, finishing 14-for-28 passing for 201 yards, two touchdowns and an interception to go with a team-high 27 yards on the ground.

Graham Nicholson drilled field goals of 45 and 46 yards for the Redhawks. Sorenson had six catches for 97 yards.

Morgan connected with Dylan Wright (25 yards) and Daniel Jackson (six yards) in the second quarter. Wright had three receptions for a career-high 73 yards.

Golden Gophers senior receiver Chris Autman-Bell dressed for the game and completed warm-ups but was held out for the second straight week with a lower-leg injury.

--Field Level Media