“There’s just too much space,” said Fleck. “It’s as simple as that.”

Things didn’t go well at first for the Gophers, who were looking to beat Iowa in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2010 and 2011. After Johnson’s 1-yard run gave the Hawkeyes a 7-0 lead in the first quarter after linebacker Jay Higgins intercepted a Max Brosmer pass at the Minnesota 35-yard line, the Gophers defense managed three three-and-outs in four Iowa possessions.

Brosmer led a seven-play, 64-yard drive that tied the score at 7-7 with his 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jameson Geers in the back of the end zone with 4:20 left in the second quarter. Geers made a diving catch over a defender for his first career touchdown.

On the drive, Brosmer found wideout Daniel Jackson (12 catches, 112 yards) for 16, 9 and 7 yards. Le’Meke Brockington also made a spectacular one-handed catch and managed a one-foot gain of 28 yards to the 3rd.

“(Iowa) stopped the run really well and put us in some tough situations,” Fleck said. “So we thought we needed to be able to throw the ball a little bit more. And I think we threw it pretty well to make it run.”

When the Gophers defense forced its fourth three-and-out of the first half, Minnesota took the lead at the 32-yard line with 2:36 left. The Gophers came out of the game aggressively and stormed down the field. They took a 14-7 lead with 21 seconds left in the half when Brosmer threw a block to receiver Elijah Spencer, who leapt up at the 5-yard line, was hit in the air, landed at the 2-yard line and stretched into the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown.