STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- University of Minnesota running back Thomas Hamner said he's been dreaming about beating Penn State since 1997.

His dream came true Saturday in the Gophers' 24-23 upset of the No. 2 Nittany Lions.

In 1997, the Gophers were leading then-No. 1 Penn State 15-3 late in the game. A pass interference penalty, which the Big Ten later admitted was a bad call, enabled the Nittany Lions to close the gap to five points.

Hamner then fumbled at the Gophers' 10-yard line with 4:04 left, leading to a Lions touchdown and a 16-15 victory.

"Every time I was working out, every time I was practicing the last two years, I was envisioning coming back here and making things right," Hamner said. "This game was personal for me. I felt like I lost the game the last time I was here. You can say what you want about what the refs did the last time, but that game was on my shoulders."

Coach Glen Mason said Hamner's efforts show how dedicated he is.

"He was devastated after that game," Gophers coach Glen Mason said. "A lesser kid might have just said, 'I don't want to play football anymore. I'm going to go home and mow the yard.' To think where he's come."

Hamner rushed for 96 yards on a career-high 38 carries and caught three passes for 58 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown on Saturday.

Hamner said there was no way he would fumble late in the game this time.

"I was gripping that ball so hard coming down the stretch," Hamner said. "I think there was air coming out of that thing. I think it was flat by the time I got done with it."

He leads the Gophers with 13 touchdowns and 1,105 yards rushing and 1,377 all-purpose yards this season.