The MSU offense had no trouble moving the ball between the 20s on Saturday, racking up 344 yards of total offense. But when the Spartans moved into the red zone, they faltered.
The Green and White were successful on just one of four red-zone opportunities and fell to Minnesota at Spartan Stadium, 31-18.
"We had plenty of chances, and we couldn't convert," MSU head coach John L. Smith said. "That has really been the story of our season."
The first quarter belied the struggles MSU would encounter. Stellar play by the defense and special teams gave the Spartans an early lead, as they forced Minnesota to go three-and-out on the game's opening drive, then blocked the ensuing punt and recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown.
Minnesota then turned the ball over on downs, giving Drew Stanton and the MSU offense great field position.
MSU drove to the goal line, but Stanton was knocked out of the game with a mild concussion, and junior running back Jehuu Caulcrick was stuffed on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line.
That play foreshadowed another woeful contest for MSU's running game. The Spartans managed just three net rushing yards on 28 carries — the sixth time in their last seven games they have failed to reach 100 yards rushing.
On the first play after Caulcrick's stuff, senior defensive tackle Clifton Ryan corralled Minnesota running back Amir Pinnix in the end zone for a safety to extend MSU's lead to 9-0 as the first quarter drew to a close.
But the following three quarters weren't nearly as promising.
Sophomore quarterback Brian Hoyer, filling in for Stanton, led the Spartans to the Minnesota 3-yard line but was intercepted in the end zone for a touchback on the first play of the second quarter.
"I started off a little shaky and caused some turnovers," Hoyer said of his relief appearance.
The Golden Gophers proceeded to score on three of their next five possessions for a 17-9 halftime lead.
MSU finally converted a red zone opportunity, fighting to the Minnesota 16-yard line on the opening drive of the second half. Freshman kicker Brett Swenson booted a 33-yard field goal, trimming the Minnesota lead to five.
The Golden Gophers responded, scoring two touchdowns before the end of the third quarter.
Trailing 31-12 in the fourth, MSU had one last chance to make a comeback, but Caulcrick was again stopped on fourth down with 11:09 remaining — this time from the 5-yard line. It was the third time in the game the Spartans' offense drove inside the 10-yard line but came up empty.
Caulcrick was clearly upset as he left the field, ripping off his chin strap and ranting on the sideline.
"I looked and my body was across the marker," Caulcrick said. "I thought I had the first down."
MSU's offense finally managed to score a touchdown with 2:54 remaining in the game, but it was too little, too late.
Hoyer completed 26-of-50 pass attempts for 330 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
Minnesota quarterback Bryan Cupito connected on 16-of-28 attempts for 243 yards and two touchdowns. Pinnix topped the century mark, rushing 23 times for 113 net yards.
The Spartans close out the regular season Saturday at Penn State. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
