MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Asad Abdul Khaliq capped a career-high rushing day with a touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter Saturday to give Minnesota a 31-21 victory over a Toledo team that roughed up the Golden Gophers last season.
Abdul Kaliq rushed for 103 yards on only 10 carries and scored on a two-yard run that completed a 17-play, 80-yard drive and pulled Minnesota (3-0) into a 14-14 tie at intermission.
He also completed 10 of 16 passes for 110 yards and became the first Minnesota quarterback to rush for more than 100 yards since Billy Cockerham in 1999.
Toledo had the lead twice in the first quarter but relinquished it quickly as the teams exchanged touchdowns for the first three quarters. A 21-yard field goal by Dan Nystrom gave the Golden Gophers the lead for good at 24-21.
Abdul Khaliq tossed a 21-yard touchdown pass to Ben Utecht with 1:05 to play in the contest, giving the tight end a touchdown in five consecutive games
Toledo (2-1) wasted the efforts of William Bratton, who rushed for 111 yards and three touchdowns, and Brian Jones, who connected on 23 of 30 passes for 195 yards.
Last year, Toledo, the reigning Mid-American Conference champions, defeated Minnesota in its season opener, 38-7.
