In his first true test of the season, Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey finished 19-of-32 for 205 yards and one touchdown (one interception) as Minnesota fell for the first time this season.
The Loons were getting outshot 22-1 after 70 minutes, but Dayne St. Clair made 10 saves and the team got goals in rapid succession from Anthony Markanich and Carlos Harvey.
J.J. McCarthy is the 13th different starting quarterback Ryan Kelly has worked with in his NFL career. "You have to blend and adapt to who you're with," Kelly said.
Among the storylines heading into Saturday night's showdown between the Minnesota Gophers and Cal Bears will be the health of Gophers star running back Darius Taylor and whether he plays or not.
The WNBA regular season champion Minnesota Lynx enter the league playoffs as the favorite, and deservedly so. The team knows it could be now or never, however, as the group probably can't stay together next season.