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GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 25, EXPRESS 9 • 23 BY STACY CLARDIE SClardie@GoldandBlack.com MINNEAPOLIS — A look back at the top plays and players from Minnesota's 39-38 victory over Purdue on Oct. 18 at TCF Bank Sta- dium. TOP PLAYS No.3 Minnesota got back into the game with three 30-yard-plus passing plays in the third quarter, the last of which was a touchdown that pulled it within 38-36. But Purdue offense's appeared to be mounting a drive that was going to finish it midway through the fourth. A 22-yard run by Akeem Hunt, a first-down run by Austin Appleby and a couple completions moved Purdue into Minnesota territory at the 30-yard line with 8:26 left. But Danny Anthrop was just short of the first-down marker on the final pass, leaving Purdue with a fourth- and-one. Darrell Hazell decided to forego the 47-yard goal field goal attempt with little wind because, as he said later, he felt his team could pick up a yard. It didn't. With three tight ends in the game, two on the left side of the line and a third stacked as a receiv - er on the left side, Appleby kept the ball and ran off the right side. He was hit by Minnesota's Dam- arius Travis, and the ball popped loose. Appleby recovered but was short of the first down, giv- ing the ball back to the Gophers with 8:21 left. No.2 That meant pres- sure was back on Purdue's defense. It nearly held up. Mitch Leidner threw an incom- plete pass on first down, and David Cobb gained five yards on second, bringing up third-and-five. On the play, Minnesota's Maxx Williams broke free near the flat when safety Landon Feichter got caught up on another receiver. But Leidner's pass was off, seemingly giving Purdue's defense the stop. But, on the opposite side of the field away from the play, Purdue safety Taylor Richards was in coverage and shoved a player to the ground. He was flagged for a personal foul, and Minnesota got an automatic first down. No.1 Five plays later, Ryan Santoso drilled a 52-yard field goal to give the Gophers a 39-38 lead. Purdue got the ball back with 4:51 remaining with the ball on the 30. After gaining only nine yards on its first three plays, Anthrop rushed for a first down on fourth-and-two. Then, Raheem Mostert got a carry to bring up second-and-nine from the 41 with 2:46 left. On the next play, Appleby faked a handoff and then got pres - sure from the right side after tackle Cameron Cermin got beat against a four-man rush. Appleby shuf- fled left and tried to connect with tight end Gabe Holmes crossing the field. But Minnesota's Cedric Thompson, playing tight cover- age on Holmes, intercepted the pass. M I N N E S O T A 3 9 , P U R D U E 3 8 A LOOK BACK AT SATURDAY'S TOP PLAYS AND PLAYERS PURDUE VS. MINNESOTA GAME STORY