The Darius Taylor game in Minneapolis saw the Gophers running back score three touchdowns in a 27-0 win over Nevada.

Taylor’s final touchdown in the third quarter shocked Gophers fans in the stadium. His 80-yard run was the longest rushing play by a Gopher since Laurence Maroney’s 93-yard rush against Wisconsin on Oct. 15, 2005. 

“It was wide open,” Taylor said. “All credit to my offensive line, tight ends and receivers, too. They were out there blocking.”

The hat trick of touchdowns was a career-high for the Gopher tailback, one by air, two by ground.

The Minnesota offense outgained Nevada by over 200 yards in the win. Meanwhile, the Gophers defense allowed one touchdown through three games.

“I’m really proud of our defense,” Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck said. “That’s the first time since 1962 that we had back-to-back shutouts. That was a long time ago, but I love how our defense is playing, I love the complimentary football.”

Minnesota hosted Nevada for its final non-conference matchup of the season. The Gophers rode in off a 48-0 shutout of the Rhode Island Rams.

Before kickoff, Minnesota ruled out returner Quentin Redding for the season due to injury. Freshman Koi Perich returned a punt for 28 yards in week two’s win and is the primary replacement for Redding.

The Gophers received the opening kickoff and drove down the field as quarterback Max Brosmer connected with Elijah Spencer twice for 40 yards. Dragan Kesich drilled a 52-yard field goal to put the Gophers up first.

A flag-filled first drive for Nevada included four penalties in the first three plays, leading to a punt. 

After a three-and-out for the Gophers offense, the defense got its sixth takeaway with the first career interception for redshirt freshman defensive back Kerry Brown.

“I’m thankful for my D-line getting pressure to the quarterback,” Brown said. “I saw the ball and I went to go get it.”

Brosmer found top target Daniel Jackson on back-to-back plays, amassing 49 yards down to the Nevada six-yard line. The Gophers attempted three passes but could not find the endzone.

Kesich trotted on for a 21-yard field goal, which he knocked through making it 6-0 Minnesota.

Nevada picked up another holding penalty but overcame it with a 25-yard completion from Brendon Lewis to Jaden Smith. The Gophers’ defense held Nevada to a 42-yard field goal attempt that ended up getting blocked by Anthony Smith.

Back-to-back three-and-outs led to a Nevada punt which Perich returned for 15 yards. After picking up two first downs, Brosmer looked deep for Cristian Driver who was not expecting the ball.

Nevada defensive back Keyshawn Cobb saw the ball floating to him and intercepted it.

Three plays later, Brown jumped a post route for his second interception of the game. The Gophers’ offense wasted no time scoring two plays later on two passes to Taylor for his first career receiving touchdown.

Minnesota got the ball back after a Nevada three-and-out. Taylor picked up five yards on his fifth reception, setting a career-high for the second consecutive week.

Brosmer connected with Jameson Geers down the seam for 22 yards. The next play, Brosmer launched downfield for Jackson and a pass interference penalty gave Minnesota first-and-goal.

Taylor ran it in from four yards out for his second touchdown of the game.

Minnesota outplayed Nevada in all three phases, finishing the first half up 20-0 with two interceptions and 143 more total yards than the Nevada Wolf Pack.

On the Gophers’ first drive of the second half, Taylor exploded for an 80-yard touchdown.

Nevada went three-and-out for the fourth time in the game. A sack from Brosmer on third down made it a 50-yard field goal for Kesich who pulled it wide right, keeping it 27-0 Gophers.

Both teams punted on their next drives. Nevada put together a sustained drive working inside the Gophers red zone for the first time. Lewis tried to test the secondary once again, lobbed it into coverage and Ethan Robinson grabbed it out of the air for his first interception as a Gopher.

Minnesota utilized the ground game to wind down the clock in the fourth quarter. The Gophers ran it 11 times in 12 plays to take the final 6:55 off the clock, closing out a shutout win over the Wolf Pack.

The Gophers return to Huntington Bank Stadium on Sept. 21 for their Big Ten opener against the Iowa Hawkeyes and a chance to defend the Floyd of Rosedale from their heated rival.