Recap: Iowa vs. Minnesota

Iowa City, IA (Sports Network) - Mark Weisman ran for 177 yards and a touchdown, as the Iowa Hawkeyes claimed a 31-13 win over Minnesota in the Big Ten opener for both teams at Kinnick Stadium.

James Vandenberg threw for 192 yards and a TD to help the Hawkeyes (3-2, 1-0 Big Ten) rebound from last week's last-second loss to Central Michigan.

The Golden Gophers (4-1, 0-1) suffered their first loss of the season thanks in part to four turnovers. Max Shortell threw for 197 yards and a pair of scores, although he was also intercepted three times, one of which was returned the other way for a TD.

Iowa led 3-0 after one quarter, courtesy of a 44-yard field goal by Mike Meyer.

The Hawkeyes offense started to get going in the second quarter, beginning with Weisman's eight-yard touchdown run on the first play of the frame. On the first play of Iowa's next possession, Vandenberg connected with Jordan Cotton for a 47-yard touchdown strike. Vandenberg added a one-yard TD run midway through the second quarter to extend the Hawkeyes' lead to 24-0.

Minnesota finally got on the board at the 7:12 mark of the third quarter on Shortell's nine-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Fruechte. However, Iowa put the game away on Christian Kirksey's 68-yard interception return for a touchdown with 5:15 to play in regulation. Minnesota added a late TD on a one-yard pass from Shortell to Drew Goodger.

The Golden Gophers averaged just 3.2 yards per carry as a team. Weisman, on the other hand, averaged 8.4 yards on 21 carries for the Hawkeyes.