Call it what you want, but the Gophers served notice that the 2005 season is going to be quite different than the past few seasons.

Beating Purdue 42-35 in double overtime did a lot more than give Minnesota a 1-0 mark in the Big Ten. It gave Glen Mason's team its first victory over a ranked opponent -- the Boilermakers came in at No. 11 -- since 2002. It also gave Mason his first win over Tiller and ended Purdue's seven-game winning streak in the series.

Perhaps most important was the way the Gophers accomplished the win. Typically, they got off to a fast start with the running game and took 17-7 lead early in the third quarter. Just as typically, they gave the lead to the Boilermakers when the game was on the line in the fourth quarter. After Purdue QB Brandon Kirsch threw an 8-yard TD pass to WR Andre Chattams with 6:39 left in the fourth quarter, the Boilers had a 21-20 lead.

Minnesota QB Bryan Cupito appeared to cement the game for the Boilermakers when his pass over the middle was intercepted by Purdue LB Dan Bick and returned 29 yards for a scored. The deficit grew to eight points with 3:03 left in the fourth quarter.

But Cupito didn't submit and came back strong. He led the Gophers on a 65-yard scoring driving that culminated with an eight-yard TD pass to TE Matt Spaeth with 1:34 remaining to bring the Gophers within two at 28-26.

They tied the game on Cupito's option run around a surprised Purdue defense. "You know what I said in the huddle? I said, 'You guys aren't going to believe what they just called,'" said Cupito, who is not known for his speed. "Hey, it worked."

Minnesota's defense held and the game went into overtime. After the Boilermakers scored on their first possession, Cupito hit Logan Payne with an eight-yard scoring pass on a fourth-down play.

RB Gary Russell scored on a three-yard run in the second overtime and the Gophers won the game when Kirsch's fourth down pass bounced off the hands of TE Charles Davis.

By coming through under adverse circumstances, the Gophers showed they had the ability to win at the end against a very good opponent. "I've never felt like this after a game," Cupito said. "Maybe this is what we needed. After the game, emotions were the highest I've ever seen since I've been here."

The Gophers have road games coming up against Penn State and Michigan and they need to continue to execute in the fourth quarter if they want to stay undefeated.

KEEP AN EYE ON: QB Bryan Cupito -- The numbers were fine -- 22-of-35 for 371 yards with three TD passes and three interceptions, but it was his strength when the game was on the line that made the difference. After throwing a late pick for a TD that appeared to give Purdue control of the game, Cupito led a game-tying drive that culminated with his game-tying two-point conversion on an option run. He then added a fourth-down TD pass in overtime. Cupito now appears to be a prime time performer.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "He is a tough kid. Rock solid, after he makes a mistake, he doesn't hang his head and cry about it. I'm not going to say that I wasn't worried when he threw that interception (in the fourth quarter), but the way he responded and lead us down the field to tie the game showed a lot of character. He was out there competing to win the game." -- Head coach Glen Mason on the play of QB Bryan Cupito in the 42-35 double-overtime win against Purdue.

-- FS John Pawielski was an unsung hero Saturday. He had a team-high seven tackles, one interception, one pass defensed and one TFL.

-- RB Gary Russell had 16 carries for 75 yards as Laurence Maroney's backup. Russell had three TDs, including a three-yard run in the second overtime that was the game-winner.

STILL NEEDS SOME WORK: The Gophers came through with several key defensive series -- including holding the Boilers off the board late in the fourth quarter after they came from behind to tie the game -- but they gave up 426 yards and registered just one sack of Purdue QB Brandon Kirsch.

-- DT Anthony Montgomery has to clog the middle at 6-5 and 305 pounds. He had just one tackle as the Boilers rushed for 180 yards.

-- WR Jared Ellerson caught one pass for 53 yards. While he has big-play explosiveness, the Gophers need him to catch at least three or four passes per game.

ROSTER REPORT: Defensive tackle Mark Losli returned to the starting lineup after missing two games because of back spasms. Fullback Justin Valentine (hamstring) also returned after a one-game absence. Left tackle Joe Ainslie (wrist surgery) was in uniform but did not play.