Gophers meet challenge, use 2nd-half rally to beat Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- , Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck challenged his team to respond Saturday. Did it ever. Trey Potts scored the go-ahead touchdown 70 seconds into the third quarter and the Golden Gophers defense pitched a second-half shutout to hold on for a 20-13 victory at Purdue. “That was a very difficult week , mentally, physically, emotionally," coach P,J. Fleck said after earning his first second-half comeback in 50 career games at Minnesota. “To come out here and beat a really good Purdue team on the road, was great." It was just what the Gophers (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) needed after last week's shocking loss at home to Bowling Green. But Minnesota cleaned up those mistakes and took advantage of their opportunities on a cool, rainy day at Ross-Ade Stadium , despite seeing the Boilermakers (3-2, 1-1) run 33 more plays and picking up 144 more yards .