Minnesota edges MTSU on the road

Associated Press

MURFREESBORO, Tenn.

Duane Bennett rushed for a career-high 187 yards and Jon Hoese scored three touchdowns just days after deciding to make the trip to lead Minnesota to a grinding season-opening 24-17 win over Middle Tennessee on Thursday night.

Bennett becomes the first 100-yard rusher for the Gophers since 2008 and dominated the Blue Raiders over Minnesota’s two game-clinching drives. He rushed for 64 yards as the Gophers held the ball for 15:41 on their way to a field goal and Hoese’s 1-yard dive with 3:09 left.

Hoese’s father had a severe stroke last week and the fullback didn’t decide to join Minnesota on the trip until early this week. He kept coming up with big plays, including a fumble recovery on the kickoff after his final touchdown that iced the victory.

Bennett’s rushing total is the most for Minnesota since 2006. He opened the game with a 32-yard run and never let up.

Indiana 51, Towson 17

BLOOMINGTON, Ind.

Darius Willis ran for two touchdowns and Ben Chappell threw for two more — all in the first half — as Indiana routed Towson.

Bill Lynch improved to 4-0 in home openers as the Indiana coach.

The Hoosiers (1-0) scored 38 points in a first half that included three touchdown drives of two plays, Willis going over the 100-yard mark and the defense forcing two turnovers. Indiana also blocked a punt in the half.

Chappell was 16-of-23 for 182 yards, and Willis had 102 yards rushing before the Hoosiers shut things down.