MINNEAPOLIS — The starting quarterback was new for Minnesota on Saturday, but two old standards shouldered the load in a 31-3 victory over Northwestern: Mohamed Ibrahim and Minnesota's defense.
Ibrahim rushed 36 times for 178 yards and three touchdowns as the Gophers (7-3, 4-3 Big Ten) overpowered the Wildcats to win their third consecutive game. In the process, the sixth-year senior running back moved into second place on the Gophers' all-time rushing yards list, surpassed 100 yards rushing for the 18th consecutive game and moved into sixth place in Big Ten history with his 51st career rushing TD.
Meanwhile, the Gophers defense allowed only a second-quarter field goal to Northwestern (1-9, 1-6), which lost its ninth consecutive game. Joe Rossi's defense limited the Wildcats to 72 rushing and 3 for 12 on third-down conversions.
