Gophers off to promising start following 42-0 win over SW Texas State

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Golden Gophers hope their fast start Saturday night against Southwest Texas State is a sign of what's to come this season.

Asad Abdul-Khaliq threw a touchdown pass on the first play of the game and the Gophers went on to beat the Bobcats 42-0 in the season opener for both teams.

The Gophers (1-0) are anxious to avoid a repeat performance of last season's disappointing 4-7 finish.

They're already off to a better start. Last season began with an embarrassing loss to underdog Toledo.

"We came out and said we've got to put some points on the board fast, and it worked for us," Abdul-Khaliq said.

It took the Gophers only 23 seconds to pull ahead, using a little trickery. With Abdul-Khaliq lining up at receiver, backup quarterback Benji Kamrath took the snap and handed off to Thomas Tapeh, who handed a reverse to Abdul-Khaliq.

Abdul-Khaliq found Ben Utecht down the right side for a 75-yard score.

"It was a play we had been working on all week," Abdul-Khaliq said. "We wanted to come out and start off with something new and explosive."

Coach Glen Mason said the play was drawn up by his offensive coaches.

"I know the offensive coaches came up with it and sprung it on our defense," Mason said. "It worked better against Southwest Texas State than it did against our defense."