MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The University of Minnesota defense followed Eric Milton's no-hitter earlier in the day at the Metrodome with a flawless performance of its own.

Milton pitched the fourth no-hitter in Twins' history in an early start and Thomas Hamner rushed for a career-high 180 yards and three touchdowns hours later as the Golden Gophers shut down Louisiana-Monroe, 35-0, for their first shutout in nearly nine years.

Hamner carried 33 times and was the key contributor for Minnesota (2-0), which outgained the Indians on the ground by a whopping 239-70 margin. The Gophers have outscored their first two opponents, 68-7.

The shutout was Minnesota's first since October 20, 1990 against Indiana.

Hamner, who eclipsed his previous career high of 158 yards against Northeast Louisiana on September 5, 1996, scored on a five-yard run with 5:51 left in the first quarter. His one-yard plunge three seconds into the second quarter capped a 10-play, 56-yard drive that gave Minnesota a 14-0 lead.

Running back Tellis Redmon returned a blocked punt 15 yards for a TD 2 1/2 minutes later and Willie Middlebrooks picked off Ben Beach's pass and ran 26 yards for a score with 6:01 left in the half for a 28-0 cushion.

Billy Cockerham was very quiet for the Gophers, completing just 4-of-15 passes for 36 yards.

Beach was 2-of-8 for 19 yards while Andy Chance was 7-for-17 for 33 yards for the Indians (1-1). The pair was sacked seven times.

Hamner's six-yard TD run midway through the fourth quarter capped the scoring.