MINNEAPOLIS _ Mitch Leidner threw four touchdown passes, newcomer Kobe McCrary rushed for 176 yards and the Gophers rolled past Indiana State 58-28 on Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium.
The Gophers scored their most points since they put up 63 against Indiana in 2006, in the kind of comfortable non-conference win that eluded them last year.
The Gophers led 35-7 at halftime, but coach Tracy Claeys kept most of his starters in the game well into the fourth quarter. Conor Rhoda finally replaced Leidner with 11:45 remaining.
Minnesota (2-0) has a bye next week before playing host to Colorado State on Sept. 24.
Indiana State (1-1) is an FCS squad, but the Gophers made sure they didn't become the latest FBS team to fall victim against the lower division. The Sycamores got three touchdown receptions from Robert Tonyan but were otherwise overmatched.
The lopsided score was welcome, considering each of Minnesota's non-conference wins last year _ over Colorado State, Kent State and Ohio _ came by three points.
It wasn't all positive for the Gophers. Their top tight end, Brandon Lingen, who had missed the season opener with a left shoulder injury, appeared to re-injure himself in the first half. He landed hard on the shoulder on a pass from Leidner and didn't return.
Starting right guard Vincent Calhoun also left the game with a toe injury.
But there were several highlights.
Leidner completed 20 of 30 passes for 295 yards, and those numbers would have been better if not for at least four drops by Gophers receivers.
Drew Wolitarsky led Minnesota with eight receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Tyler Johnson and Brian Smith also added touchdown catches.
Rodney Smith got the start at tailback and had 17 carries for 74 yards. He alternated series with McCrary, who transferred to Minnesota this year from Butler (Kan.) Community College.
McCrary showed his cut-back ability and speed in the fourth quarter, when he reeled off a 45-yard run and then scampered for a 50-yard touchdown.
