Minnesota and Kansas play for the Heart of America championship Sunday in Lawrence, Kans., with the Kansas game carrying with it more than its share of drama.

The Golden Gophers of Minnesota defeated Arkansas 37-19, putting together perhaps their best performance of the season.

Minnesota Gophers On the Same Page, Writing a New Chapter 

It was a lot closer between Kansas and Iowa State, and perhaps the opening scoring attempt was an indication of that—10 minutes in KU captain Chandler Owens attempted a penalty goal. The ball hit the top of the post and bounced away.

Moments later Owens kicked from about the same spot and put it through for a 3-0 lead. Iowa State responded midway through the first half, kicking for touch on a penalty and then punching it over in the corner. The Jawhawks regained the lead with a wild try. With Iowa State threatening Owens snagged the ball and took off. Defenders converged on him but he booted the ball downfield. The Iowa State cover defense was there to gather and kick clear, but the ball didn't made touch. Instead, Jawhawks wing Kahlil Allen caught it on the run and raced in to the corner for a lead of 8-5.

Kansas added to the lead with a try from hooker George Baron, which Owens converted and that made it 15-5. 

But back came Iowa State. They scored to inch closer 15-10 at halftime, and when KU's Allen was red carded for a dangerous tackle early in the second half the Cyclones scored again to lead 17-15.

KU No. 8 Trevor Lister powered over from ten meters to retake the lead, but Iowa State's midfield, led by Owen McGuffin, was very dangerous and they put in another try. Now Iowa State led 24-22.

Time was running out, and Kansas had perhaps one more shot. Kansas took a scrum five meters from the Iowa State line. Lister picked up from the base and crashed over on the left side. That was it, 27-24.

Kansas and Minnesota move on to the Heart of America final Sunday.