Tide can’t stem UM run game

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Marion Barber III heard all about how Alabama 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 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 go over 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 just 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 – including two by Barber – on their first three drives. Still, they nearly gave the game away in the fourth quarter.

Rhys Lloyd, who made field goals from 27 and 24 yards, missed a 24-yard attempt with 5:34 left that would have sealed the victory. Mason admitted he was worried since Minnesota lost games late against Michigan and Iowa.

“When we missed the field goal that would have put us in pretty good shape, I said, ‘Here we go again,’ ” Mason said. “I know if I’m thinking that, so are our kids, but we fought through.”

On Minnesota’s next possession, it was pinned deep in its own end and elected to take a safety to make it 20-16 rather than attempt a punt.

The decision nearly backfired.

Alabama’s Tyrone Prothro returned the free kick to the Minnesota 48, and four completions by Spencer Pennington got the Crimson Tide to the 15.

But Pennington overthrew Prothro in the end zone on third down and couldn’t convert a fourth-and-5 with 1:14 left, ending the threat and the game.

“That’s all you can ask for, a chance to win the game,” Pennington said. “Prothro was open, and I threw it a little high.”

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-2 yards rushing in the first half and finished with 21.

Pennington finished 22 of 36 for 243 yards and a touchdown.