Minnesota Golden Gophers Eager to Put Iowa in Past

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Minnesota Gophers were so eager to get back on track after their lopsided loss at Iowa that several players started watching the tape of the game that evening.

They host Northwestern on Saturday. Though they would've preferred not to wait so long to play again, the week off helped them get healthier. Quarterback MarQueis Gray is back to practice on his sprained left ankle. Coach Jerry Kill says he's "cautiously optimistic" that Gray can play some against the Wildcats.

Northwestern has been the homecoming opponent six times in the last 18 seasons. The Wildcats beat the Gophers and spoiled the party in five of those games. Minnesota's only win in that span was in 2002. Overall, Northwestern has won five of the last seven meetings in Minnesota.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Material may not be redistributed.