TAMPA, Fla. — It seemed, for a moment, that Auburn had fully recovered from its uncharacteristic start to Wednesday's game.

Yes, No. 16 Minnesota scored 24 points in the first half, which was tied for the second-most Kevin Steele's unit had allowed in any game this season, but the 13th-ranked Tigers held firm through the entire third quarter and early part of the fourth.

The Golden Gophers gained just 52 yards on 15 plays during that span. After quarterback Tanner Morgan muffed a snap and got stopped short on fourth-and-1 deep in Tiger territory, Auburn had the ball back in a game tied at 24.

Minnesota won the Outback Bowl, 31-24.

To be fair, the defense did not get a break after what looked at the time like it could be a game-altering stop. The offense went three-and-out and punted the ball back to Minnesota less than a minute and a half later.

Morgan hit standout wide receiver Tyler Johnson for a 73-yard touchdown on the first play of that drive. Safety Smoke Monday, who was in coverage, was a good two steps behind the senior by the time he caught the ball over the middle.

That play was one of 13 of 10 or more yards that the Golden Gophers had Wednesday.

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Still, Auburn had a chance to get the ball back down only one touchdown with plenty of time left to play in the fourth quarter. Minnesota lined up to go for it on fourth-and-short with a little more than three minutes to play. But Morgan lofted a ball that Bryce Witham made a great leaping grab on, which was effectively the dagger.

Morgan bounced back from throwing an interception to Javaris Davis on Minnesota's first possession of the game to complete 19 of 29 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson finished the game with 12 catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns.

Minnesota gained 494 yards as a team.

After holding its first 11 opponents to 24 or fewer points, Auburn allowed each of its last two — to score more than 30.