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Crunching The Numbers: Minnesota at OSU
This story originally published on BuckeyeSports.com
Laurinaitis is a Minnesotan
Laurinaitis is a Minnesotan
By Marcus Hartman
BuckeyeSports.com
Posted Sep 24, 2008

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The 113th season of Big Ten football kicks off Saturday, including the clash between Ohio State and Minnesota at Ohio Stadium. Check out some of the interesting numbers involved in the contest between the Buckeyes and Golden Gophers.

2
There are two Buckeyes from Minnesota: linebacker James Laurinaitis (Hamel/Wayzata High) and defensive lineman Willie Mobley (Eden Prairie)

4
Minnesota has already quadrupled its win total of 2007, when the Golden Gophers won just once.

5
Ohio State has won five in a row against Minnesota.

7
There are seven Golden Gophers from Ohio: cornerback Ryan Collado (Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy), quarterback Mike Maciejowski (Upper Arlington), punter Blake Haudan (Toledo St. John’s Jesuit), punter Justin Kucek (Canfield), offensive lineman D.J. Burris (Kenton), offensive lineman Dominic Alford (Shaker Heights) and defensive end William Brody (Cleveland Benedictine).

8
Minnesota receiver Eric Decker averages eight catches per game, a figure that is tied for third-best in the nation. His average of 113.5 receiving yards per game is fourth in the nation. Both totals lead the Big Ten.

11
Minnesota is plus-11 in turnover margin, a drastic improvement over last season when the Golden Gophers were minus-15.

15
Ohio State’s defense ranks 15th in the nation in total yards allowed per game (247.8).

16
Gopher quarterback Adam Weber’s quarterback rating of 164.8 is 16th in the nation and second in the Big Ten behind Penn State’s Daryll Clark.

18
Minnesota has 18 Big Ten championships, a total topped only by Ohio State (32) and Michigan (42). Only two of those Golden Gopher titles have come since the end of World War II.

38
Ohio State has outscored the opposition 38-0 in the fourth quarter this season.

48
Saturday will mark the 48th meeting between Ohio State and Minnesota. The Buckeyes lead the series 40-7.

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