Minnesota Runs Over Alabama

Marion Barber III heard all about how Alabama had stopped Auburn’s vaunted running backs.

Barber and teammate Laurence Maroney simply thought they were better.

Barber ran for 187 yards and a touchdown and Maroney added 105 yards to lead Minnesota to a 20-16 victory over Alabama before 66,089 in the Music City Bowl on Friday.

Barber and Maroney, the only teammates in NCAA history to each rush for 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons, were the only runners to get more than 100 yards in a game this season against the Crimson Tide, which entered with the nation’s second-ranked defense.

“They’re a duo, and they’re both going to come at you,” Minnesota Coach Glen Mason said, grinning. “They must be pretty good, I guess.”

Alabama held Auburn to 74 yards rushing in the Crimson Tide’s final game, but Barber wasn’t impressed.

“I never looked at that,” the soft-spoken Barber said. “We just came in more prepared.”

The Golden Gophers (7-5) ran for 276 yards to overcome three turnovers -- two by Barber -- on their first three drives.

Alabama (6-6), making an NCAA-record 52nd bowl appearance, was forced to throw throughout the game, with leading rusher Kenneth Darby limited because of an abdominal strain.

The Crimson Tide had minus-two yards rushing in the first half and finished with 21.

Alabama fans, excited about a return to the postseason for the first time since 2001, were out in force in the highest-attended Music City Bowl since the game began in 1998.

“It’s a big learning process for all of us, including myself,” Alabama Coach Mike Shula said. “All of us have learned a little something this week.”