Brooks' long run leads Gophers past Purdue 41-13

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Shannon Brooks gave Minnesota's running game a fresh start and an old look Saturday. He broke tackles, ran away from defenders and almost single-handedly got the Golden Gophers' sluggish offense in sync. The powerful 206-pound freshman ran 17 times for a season-high 176 yards including a game-breaking 71-yard TD run early in the second half that led Minnesota to a 41-13 blowout at Purdue. "Shannon Brooks is going to be a heck of a back. He reminds me of Marion Barber," coach Jerry Kill said. "He is fast, and he hits the holes." He certainly did Saturday. The question now is whether he can keep it up during a brutal four-game stretch against Nebraska, No. 18 Michigan, No. 1 Ohio State and No. 22 Iowa. At least the Golden Gophers now have some momentum.