Minnesota blanks Kent, 44-0, in season opener

Daniels shines in running back debut

Former linebacker Alex Daniels shined in his running back debut, charging for 162 yards and three touchdowns in the Gophers win.

Former linebacker Alex Daniels shined in his running back debut, charging for 162 yards and three touchdowns in the Gophers win.

Aug. 31, 2006

KENT, Ohio (AP) -Converted linebacker Alex Daniels rushed for 162 yards and three touchdowns to lead Minnesota over Kent State 44-0 Thursday night in Glen Mason's return to the school where he got his head coaching start.

Daniels, a highly touted linebacker whom Mason switched to running back following several losses at the position, opened the third quarter by carrying all seven times on a 56-yard touchdown drive.

The sophomore enjoyed wide open running lanes and punished Kent State's defenders with his 6-foot-3, 255-pound frame. He scored on runs of 1, 3 and 6 yards.

After Daniels left, Amir Pinnix scored on a 15-yard run and Justin Valentine went in on a 2-yard run. Pinnix finished with 114 yards.

The Golden Gophers (1-0) forced six turnovers, intercepting Jamal Harris twice, to dominate Kent State in what amounted to a tune up for their Sept. 9 game at No. 9 California.

Minnesota's defense twice allowed Kent State (0-1) to reach the 1 in the first half, but the Golden Flashes wasted both opportunities.

Julian Edelman hit Najah Pruden on a 64-yard pass, but as Pruden fought to break a tackle, linebacker Mario Reese forced a fumble and recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchback.

The Golden Flashes, 1-10 last season, got to the 1 again behind strong running by Eugene Jarvis, but failed to get in on three attempts. Reid Macko missed a 19-yard field goal.

Jarvis ran for 109 yards and Pruden had five catches for 118 yards.

Edelman was 7-of-13 for 150 yards and three interceptions.

Minnesota's Bryan Cupito was 8-of-14 for 146 yards and a 39-yard touchdown to Eric Decker.

Jason Giannini, who missed eight extra point attempts last season, kicked a 22-yard field goal and was 5-of-6 on PATs.

Mason was 12-10 in two seasons at Kent State (1986-87) and is the last Golden Flashes coach with consecutive winning records in the Mid-American Conference.

Kent State fell to 0-8 against the Big Ten. The Gophers were the first Big Ten team to play at Kent State.