55 will make his brilliant thoughts public. Feel free to add some of your brilliance.

1. Offense is way too vanilla and easy to stop, so how about some deception? More Jet sweeps, fake jet sweeps, WR screens, TE Screens, more playmakers with the ball in their hands wrapped around our ground and pound. If the WR can’t get open, hand it to them so they stay engaged in the game. Our WRs have to be bored as hell. The fear of playmakers make defenses more passive. We either run it inside or Pass it with a simple route tree. If we don’t add any of this, hell you must recruit a QB that can run.

How about a rollout to Dylan Wright/Jackson/22 to start the game. And get them going early. Helps them to be consistent and engaged. They can’t throw it to themselves. They would get Bateman & Johnson a touch early in games. Helps your confidence and focus

2. More passes, at least 25 passes a game for Christ sakes. Let the fans and players have more fun.

3. Dynamic special teams threats. I’ll roll with #81 after his great return against Illinois but we have always had a safe person back there. We need someone dynamic back there. On kickoffs too. Why not, it’s a scoring opportunity and potential game changer. Strike quickly! (Hoskins)
4. The defense is fine, but I’d rotate the DLINE a little less in the 2nd half of games. The only way to develop a pass rush is to get some extended playing time,
Getting comfortable and focus. If I’m running off the field everyother play. Hell, I’d be exhausted by just running off the field so much. It’s hard to comfortable and confident when you are always coming in and out. No way to build some flow. Mafe could have had a larger impact on games and better stats just by playing more snaps. I bet he played only about 60%-70% of the game. He was a first round talent that had to fight into the 2nd with a brilliant combine.

The annual preseason booster club Tip Off event was held this afternoon and evening at Williams Arena with the coaches and team. Nearly 500 fans from the Loyalty Program and the Golden Dunkers Booster Club attended team practice.

Following practice, a catered meal by JD Hoyts was served to a sold-out event as Golden Dunkers members visited with coaches and players. Coach Johnson introduced team members and spoke about the program. A presentation of funds was made to help the Golden Gopher Fund support the basketball program with training equipment.

A silent auction during the event helped add additional funds for the basketball program.

To join or for more information about the Golden Dunkers Men's Basketball Booster Club visit:

www.GoldenDunkers.com/membership

Some notes on targets and commits:

Dennis Evans #13
Taison Chatman #67
Jamari McDowell #113
Cam Christie #134

Summarizing what P.J. Fleck said during Monday's press conference, Gophers coming off a 26-14 loss to Illinois and will head to Penn State this Saturday

- Says Tanner Morgan is doing well. Felt great on Sunday morning. Was cleared to fly home with the team. He's under the medical care umbrella right now and it will be up to them if he can play on Saturday.

- On receivers: have to create separation, have to make plays that present themselves. Mentions Illinois was really good, the No. 1 defense in the country. Says they've got to overcome taking advantage of their own opportunities.

- On their own defensive performance: Says both him and Rossi didn't see a schematic issue. It was more seeing broken tackles and not being keyed into their details.

- Says Cole Kramer was at practice yesterday and hopes he'll be available for Penn State this week

- Says Zach Evans is back from surgery, had a great practice last week, and adds depth to the RB position

- Trey Potts was held out by the medical team last week as a precaution. Expects him to be available for Penn State

- On Quentin Redding: He's a walk-on freshman who has done everything we've asked him to do. Did a great job with his vision and breaking tackles on the 92-yard kickoff return. Thinks he'll have a bigger role on the team moving forward. Perfect role for him right now. May be one of the most popular guys on the team. He's earned everything that he's got

- On Penn State: They are really talented at every position. They are big, long, and physical. They have a lot experience. Have a lot of guys on the team in 2019 that are older. Their secondary is long and aggressive. Recruited a lot of those guys, so we know them personally. They have a lot of young tailbacks that are really talented. James Franklin does a great job there, has a ton of respect for him and what he's accomplished.

- Quin Carroll has solidified himself as the starting right tackle. Says every game he's getting better and better

- Says they are playing really good football teams right now, learning lessons as they are going through the season

- Going to turn their usual chaotic practice up a notch preparing for Saturday night's game at Penn State and their fans

- Says Tyler Nubin is a passionate player and makes them better. Plays with emotion, but doesn't get emotional. One of the best leaders on their team and one of the best players on their team

- Says he didn't think the hit on Morgan was intentional or malicious, was trying to punch the ball out. Bielema called him after he watched the film and apologized for the hit, Fleck said he didn't take any offense to it and that's part of football.

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Little went right and a lot went wrong in Minnesota's 26-14 loss to Illinois on Saturday, @Alex Carlson recaps the action

First Half: https://minnesota.rivals.com/news/film-review-gophers-vs-illinois-first-half

Second Half: https://minnesota.rivals.com/news/film-review-gophers-vs-illinois-second-half

I knew he was top 100, however this is mind-blowing!! RIVALS top Basketball recruiting guy should post here.

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Evans will announce his decision on Instagram today, his account is dje2tall for those interested. Will be choosing between TCU and Minnesota.

Also, in case you missed my notes from last night after talking with a source close to the situation, here it is -

I've been told by people that have watched him play and have covered his recruitment closely that he wants to go somewhere to be developed...not really a big name school type of prospect.

He's got a lot to improve on offensively and obviously getting stronger physically, but he's an elite rim protector that any college program would love to have on their team and it sounds like Ben Johnson will have him on his in the future.

Like all of you Gopher volleyball fans, I was shocked to hear that Hugh McCutcheon was stepping down as head volleyball coach at the end of the year. I have a hard time thinking any program would be able to fill his shoes when it is someone like McCutcheon. What a legacy and pedigree at both the college and international levels!! Everyone talks about his humility as a person and his genuineness. IT MAKES ME SAD TO THINK ABOUT IT, HONESTLY!!!! Yet so thankful he represented Minnesota so well!!!

I am shocked about the timing. He has 2 players on the squad that will be back next year, that were rated as the top prep volleyball players in the nation in their senior class in Taylor Landfair and McKenna Wucherer.... Another was a top 3 player in her class in Jenna Wenaas. The 'cupboard wont be bare for the one taking over the program', that is for sure.

Who knows the reason.. I doubt it is significant to discuss. I would hate to have him go to a competing program in the near future. He is a legend though he has not gotten us to the promised land in volleyball, either. Maybe he knows it is time, maybe he is burnt out, maybe he knows the team needs a new voice in leadership, maybe it is family or health reasons.. I just know we will miss him as he is a class coach.

Minnesota is a high profile job and I would imagine we could get a pretty good coach to take the program over. I wonder if the guy over at Concordia in St Paul who won all those D2 titles would be interested. What will our future recruiting look like??? Lots of questions to be answered and I hope the girls band together to usher him out on a high note, that he so richly deserves!!! Thank you for some great moments, Coach McCutcheon!!! You will be missed by all of us who are Gopher fans!!!

Maybe not the best time to criticize a team and the coaches at a time like this, but, when the team was getting praised for their 4-0 start and a top 25 ranking, is it not fair to dole out some criticism after these last two losses? In no way should this program be even remotely close to pulling a Nebraska or a Wisconsin and changing coaches as I believe Coach Fleck is the best thing to happen to Gopher football since Murray Warmath led the team to 2 straight Rose Bowls, winning one of them while also winning a National Championship. The Gophers will be lucky to have PJ as their head coach for the next 25 years. But, I do remember when PJ was first hired, he said recruiting is something that needs to be done 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
That was music to most Gopher fans ears, but, even Coach Fleck may have to admit some level of disappointment in the number of 4-star recruits, let alone 5-star recruits that have been signed. Now, on to the Coordinators Ciarocca and Rossi: Illinois out gains the Gophers 472 yards to 180 yards…..what’s worse…..the offense or the defense? Actually, they’re both dismal. It’s too bad to pass up an opportunity like this with no Ohio State or Michigan on the schedule. And then, look forward to adding UCLA and USC to the Big Ten in the near future. In summary, the Gophers coaching staff from recruiting to offensive and defensive coaching schemes does need to STEP IT UP BIG TIME to do what Gopher fans have been waiting for 60 years to happen: Winning a Major Bowl or National Championship.

Some PFF grades to pass along following Saturday's loss to Illinois

Team Grades:

OVERALL - 62 (their lowest of the season, next lowest was 80.8 against Purdue)

DEFENSE:
Overall - 63.3 (lowest of the season)
Run Defense - 69.7
Tackling - 61.9
Pass Rush - 57.6
Coverage - 53.9 (lowest of the season)

OFFENSE:
Overall - 59.1 (lowest of the season)
Pass - 29.8 (not shockingly, lowest of the season)
Pass Blocking - 68
Receiving - 52.9 (lowest of the season)
Run - 78.7
Run Blocking - 70 (second lowest of the season - 68.6 vs. Michigan State)

TOP 5 OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: (minimum 20 snaps)

John Michael Schmitz - 80.7
Mohamed Ibrahim - 72.8
Axel Ruschmeyer - 72
Brevynn Spann-Ford - 70.8
Chuck Filiaga - 68

TOP 5 DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: (minimum 20 snaps)

Jah Joyner - 83.3
Cody Lindenberg - 69.4
Darnell Jeffries - 65.8
Mariano Sori-Marin - 64.9
Jordan Howden - 64.8

* On passing - Morgan was graded 29.9 while Kaliakmanis was graded 44

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Coming in Thursday for his official, according to Marcus Fuller

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Combined for 1 catch for 4 yards. In today’s era of spread em out and toss it around football, that’s quite a stat.

Minnesota is coming off back-to-back losses to Purdue and Illinois, set at 4-2 overall, 1-2 in the Big Ten - how many wins do you see the rest of the 2022 season?

Oct. 22nd - @ Penn State
Oct. 29th - Rutgers
Nov. 5th - @ Nebraska
Nov. 12th - Northwestern
Nov. 19th - Iowa
Nov. 26th - @ Wisconsin

Minnesota has a history of hiring TCU coaches, Gary is available! He is a perfect BIG coach, Play Great Defense and control the Clock!

I have not seen mention of Trey Potts not playing. So does anyone have any insight on timing of evans and potts ? we are really close to haveing zero running backs available.

Summarizing what P.J. Fleck said following Saturday's 26-14 loss to Illinois

- Gives a lot of credit to Bielema and his staff, they played flawless football
- Said they were always chasing today
- Says Illinois is really good, really efficient
- Illinois was able to stay ahead of the chains and get first downs - their defense couldn't get off the field
- Took Morgan to the local medical center, he's alert and is in good care. Calls injury "upper body" related
- Says Illinois had balance, Minnesota's defense didn't tackle well, had eyes in the wrong spot
- Lack of total plays on offense - had success in the run game, but didn't catch the ball well, been a problem the last two games
- Got some rhythm going and the passing game hurt them
- Haven't played good football the last two games, responsibility falls on him
- Says Illinois is big on the defensive front and length on the edges, great secondary that can make plays on the ball
- Reiterates they had their chances but didn't take advantage of them
- Said Cole Kramer was dealing with a small injury and didn't practice some of the week (that's why he didn't come in in relief of Morgan after the injury) and opted for Athan Kaliakmanis
- Says Chase Brown is really talented, one of the best backs in the country. He's a workhorse and he's a very patient runner. He's got speed, quickness, and power - he's got it all.

Michigan routs Penn State, Maryland bounces Indiana, Michigan State gets back in the win column against Wisconsin, Purdue outlasts Nebraska

Not sure what to say. Things are not right.

Post your pregame, in-game, and postgame thoughts here

Throw some score predictions on here to get the morning started

I'm going, Minnesota 24, Illinois 21

Bama and Tennessee tied at 49 with 3:26 to play. Vols' WR has 5 tds. Bama has 17 penalties.

Absolutely dreadful. Bielema 9-0 vs Minnesota

Run the ball 75% of the time
Stay ahead of the chains
Get an early lead
Shorten the game
Win time of possession

It’s crazy how they literally have one roadmap to win a game. If the stars above don’t align, they’re done.

Back to the drawing board for Minnesota after Saturday's performance in Champaign