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EVANSTON, Illinois (Ticker) -- Damien Anderson and Zak Kustok did their damage in the first quarter and Northwestern hung tough in the end in yet another close contest. Anderson scored on a four-yard run 6:35 into the game and Kustok threw a 29-yard touchdown pass 10 minutes later as the 24th-ranked Wildcats defeated Big Ten Conference rival Minnesota for the fifth time in six games, 23-17. The two Northwestern stars did not post their usual big numbers, but the Wildcats (4-1, 2-1 Big Ten) rebounded from last weekend's 38-20 loss at Ohio State and improved to 7-0 under Randy Walker in games decided by seven points or less. Anderson carried 22 times for 86 yards and Kustok completed 22-of-32 attempts for 237 yards and the one touchdown with one interception. After Anderson's TD, Dan Nystrom got the Golden Gophers (1-4, 0-3) on the scoreboard by booting a 25-yard field goal with 4:56 to play in the opening quarter. The Wildcats, however, needed just 30 seconds to strike back, taking a 13-3 lead on Kustok's 29-yard scoring pass to Sam Simmons. Simmons also shocked Minnesota later in the first half when he returned a a punt 71 yards for a touchdown to give the Wildcats a 20-10 lead with a little under three minutes left in the second quarter. A 40-yard field goal by David Wasielewski pushed Northwestern's advantage to 23-10 midway through the third quarter. The Golden Gophers did hold a 400-350 total yards advantage and backup Travis Cole led them on a touchdown drive in the waning moments. Starter Asah Abdul-Khaliq was just 4-of-18 with three interceptions. Cole hit Ron Johnson for a 40-yard score with 32 seconds left, giving Minnesota hope. However, wide receiver Kunle Patrick recovered the ensuing onside kick, sealing the victory for the Wildcats. Tellis Redmon totaled 143 yards on 25 carries for the Golden Gophers, who have lost three in a row.
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