...Packers are gonna make a weekend 2 fer tonight !

PJ Fleck:

• We treated the game all week like a playoff. We treated it just like a playoff game.
• Time of possession matters. Wisconsin and Western Michigan were usually #1 and #2 in time of possession.
• Targeting call was fine. We need to keep players safe. Julian Huff got reps in practice and he executed when his name was called.
• The kids aren't going to remember what the playcall was on third down, they're going to remember celebrating in the locker room. There's nothing better then sharing those moments with your team and wife.
• Yesterday I told them to visualize the cold, the boos, running to get the Axe, and they did it.
• Joe Rossi is the new DC. He was basically able to do a whole year self-scout in one week. When I told the players we were removing the interim tag, they went absolutely ballistic.
• Douglas' punt return was the biggest punt return of the game.
• There's a lot of people that work hard in this fashion. There's not many that work harder than Rob Wenger and that showed today.

Emmit Carpenter:

• I used to b a Badger fan. Minnesota took me in with open arms and made this a new home.
• Before the game, visualized hugging his mom and dad in the stands and was fortunate to be able to do that.

Tanner Morgan:

• Was visualizing lots of throws last night and visualized responding well if things went poorly.
• Throughout the game, I was praying a lot. I was incredibly thankful the opportunities I've had in my lifetime and I'm so proud of my teammates and seniors.
• Mo Ibrahim's an animal now. He played a huge role and has the heart of a lion. When he's hit on contact, he's pushing and getting 2-3 extra yards.
• The ball is the program, no doubt about it. We stressed that throughout the week.

Thomas Barber:

• We know how much work Rossi and the defensive staff is doing short of staff and we always thank them for it.
• Juju came in and was ready to go. He's got a lot of reps with the 1s and 2s.

Carter Coughlin:

• Getting the Axe was surreal. Hugged my dad afterwards.
• Once Blake went out, we were playing for Blake. He plays harder than anyone I've ever seen Blake play. He brings it every single week. When he got ejected, we all huddled around him and he was unbelievably supportive, ran off the field and didn't make it about him.
• Credit to Wisconsin, they're a great team, but straight up we just outplayed them.

1) give us a thread where all recruit's playoff situations are posted, or if their season is done, their final stats for the year.

2) @Alex Carlson can one of y'all post some film review of the guys we don't hear alot about from the badger game. Dunlap played. Maye played. Etc. We have a ton of time until the bowl game, and I know you guys do the breakdown of the film review for the offense and the defense. I would just love to see a couple film clips and reviews from y'all on some of these players that are true freshman so we can get a glimpse on to what to look for next year and in the bowl game.

3) who else is on the "recruiting radar" ? What is your best guess as to the Top 10 uncommitted list that we are after ?

4) can you give us an approximate breakdown of how many times we played deep safety man coverage, to safety cover to man coverage, and zone defense with and without blitzing? I love the fact we were not allowing their quarterback to get a read pre-snap because we had defensive backs and linebackers constantly moving.

Since we promoted internally, we should have 1 coaching position opening. I believe Rossi should focus on DC functions so what defensive position do we hire for.
If I researched correctly we will have Delattiboudere, Otomewo, Renner, Teague, Silver, Coughlin, and Mafe returning from the DL 2-deeps.
Others for the D-Line include: Devers, Umlor, Hickox, Robinson, Okonji, Reigelsperger, Ahanotu with potential signees in December Richter, Daniels, Schad, Griffen, and D Harris. Thats a total of 19 players.
I personally believe Coughlin should go back to LB to start with Martin and Barbers (as seniors). But that still leaves 18 players to coach up for coach Marcus West. I would hope Fleck would go out and try to make a killer hire for D-line coach since there is obviously a great amount of players that need coaching up.
Or he needs to hire a killer LB coach and leave Rossi to also help with the DL.
We should be ok this year at LB as long as we don't have injuries to our starters but we will be hurting for depth. I would feel more comfortable with a couple of more LB recruits to finish off this class (possibly 1 a JC transfer).

What are your thoughts?

Headline from yesterday is getting the axe, and second headline is bowl eligibility.

Lost in the above - Fleck and Co got their first road win in Conference. That is huge going forward.

Plays LSU today at 3:00 on ESPN2. They beat Memphis by 20 and lost to Villinova by 20. How do you think we match up with them on friday?

What is the date and time of the football social?

What is the date and time of the football social?

Does anybody know what Freshmen have only played in 3 games or less?

I got up this morning and saw that the sun was shinning a little brighter today.

With the feeling that all was right with the world.

From Corey Evans: https://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/news/the-evans-awards-holiday-hoopsgiving

1. Mo Ibrahim is a HOWpher. Dude always falls forward even though he is smaller in stature. And how about Julian Huff? He has been a HOWpher his entire career. He had a huge game when Blake went out

2. O-line gelled this year and gained serious momentum and confidence going into bowl game. Add Dunlap to the mix and this group will anchor the offense

3. Offense proved it can move the ball via pass or run. This was a true multi-dimension offense which gopher fans haven’t seen in oh so long! Loved seeing the run game dominate today. Bucky couldn’t stop it

4. Very happy for Rossi and the D. Those boys made game winning plays tonight and didn’t play scared. Credit to coaching staff

5. Anyone else happy for Seth Green and the role he filled all season? He didn’t pout, give up, or quit but embraced the culture and earned a serious role that won us some games

6. Last but not least, we get to watch these seniors play one last time. And this board gets to stay hot with football material for many more weeks!!

Go gophers

@Sherman Hemsley ????

Thoughts ????

After senior linebacker Blake Cashman ejected, Gophers rally to beat Badgers


Minnesota head football coach P.J. Fleck argues with officials during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

By ANDY GREDER | agreder@pioneerpress.com | Pioneer Press
PUBLISHED: November 24, 2018 at 10:49 pm | UPDATED: November 24, 2018 at 10:59 pm

MADISON, Wis. — Blake Cashman had been the Gophers’ defensive lifeblood, especially in the past two weeks, so it was a big blow to Minnesota’s chances against Wisconsin when the senior linebacker was ejected for targeting in the second quarter Saturday.

When his high hit on Badgers punt returner Jack Dunn’s head was reviewed, Cashman, the Big Ten’s second-leading tackler, rallied his unit during the battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe.

“You could see the emotion in his face,” Gophers defensive end Carter Coughlin said. “You could see his eyes starting to swell up. That’s the last thing he would ever want to happen. You could just feel the emotion around all of us.

“It really quickly switches to we are doing this thing for Blake,” Coughlin said. The Gophers did with a 37-15 win over Wisconsin to end the Badgers’ 14-year winning streak in the rivalry game.

Senior linebacker Julian Huff stepped in for Cashman, and the level of play didn’t diminish. Huff finished with four tackles, and his third-quarter interception of Badgers quarterback Alex Hornibrook led to a Gophers field goal to make it 23-7.

“Everybody needed to step up and match his energy because he brings it every single week,” Coughlin said of Cashman, his former high school teammate at Eden Prairie. “I’m so glad that we got to do this for him.”

DOUGLAS’ PUNT RETURN
Gophers coach P.J. Fleck said Demetrius Douglas’ 69-yard punt return for a touchdown in the second quarter was the biggest play of the game. It helped the Gophers build a 17-0 lead.

As the Gophers’ fourth wide receiver, Douglas’ contribution on offense has been limited this season — nine receptions, 87 yards and one touchdown in 11 games. But the son of former Gophers receiver Omar Douglas stepped up at a key moment.

“For me to be able to contribute to the team in any way I could, it was awesome,” Douglas said.

Senior kicker Emmit Carpenter, who converted on three of four field-goal attempts Saturday, rallied to a fellow special-teams player standing out.

“It’s awesome to see guys in that third phase of the game make big plays,” Carpenter said. “A lot of times it’s the plays in the special teams that can make a huge impact on the game. Demetrius, that was an absolutely incredible play.”

BOWL DESTINATATIONS?
The Gophers’ sixth win this season means they earned bowl eligibility and are likely headed to one of four Big Ten-affiliated destinations:

— The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl on Dec. 26 at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas. The expected foe would be from Conference USA.

— The New Era Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 27 at Yankee Stadium in New York City, with a opponent likely from the Atlantic Coast Conference.

— The Redbox Bowl on Dec. 31 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., against a presumed opponent in the Pac-12.

— The Quick Lane Bowl on Dec. 26 at Ford Field in Detroit, probably against an ACC foe. The Gophers went there and beat Central Michigan 21-14 in 2015.

BRIEFLY
Gophers defensive tackles O.J. Smith and Royal Silver and cornerback Terell Smith returned from injuries to play Saturday. Terell Smith had three tackles, Silver two and O.J. Smith one.

https://www.twincities.com/2018/11/...cted-gophers-rally-in-37-15-win-over-badgers/

I'm depressed today. Not sure why but watched Iowa beat Nebraska and it made me feel worse. I was 19 in 1967. I'm now 70. In that time the Gophers have had 3 winning seasons in the B1G if my search is accurate. I know PJ is doing it the right way, but what I wouldn't give to just see a winning record in the B1G. Can somebody give me a look at the future and tell me when that's going to happen?

Beating Wisconsin and a half pint of bourbon might serve otherwise.

serious man love

is 2020 the year we break our Big Ten Championship drought? Next year I think we improve to 8-4 and set the stage for 2020.

Bateman will be a Junior and should be primed for final season here that propels him into being a 1st around draft pick. Receiving core will be in good shape even with Tyler Johnson with CAB and Demetrious Douglas.

Faalele should be a Top 5 NFL pick. His size, agility, and experience will make a him a lock to go that high in the Draft.

Dunlap will be a 2 year starter. Blaise Andries will be a Junior. Conor Alison will be a senior.

Antione Winfield Jr will be a senior and as long as he stays healthy we know that he is a difference maker.

Terrell Smith will be a Junior could be playing like a 1st team all Big Ten Corner.

We have been recruiting DL hard and hopefully that is solidified.

We will also have quality experience and depth at the QB position in the first time in a long time.

Seth Green will be a senior and hopefully his role continues to evolve.

Schedule is not terrible. Michigan will be tough, but it is here.

2020 Schedule
Date Opponent Location Time (CST)
Thurs., Sep 3 Florida Atlantic TCF Bank Stadium TBA
Sat, Sep 12 Tennessee Tech TCF Bank Stadium TBA
Sat, Sep 19 Iowa* TCF Bank Stadium TBA
Sat, Sep 26 BYU TCF Bank Stadium TBA
Sat, Oct 3 at Maryland* College Park, Md. TBA
Sat, Oct 10 at Wisconsin* Madison, Wis. TBA
Sat, Oct 17 Michigan* TCF Bank Stadium TBA
Sat, Oct 24 at Illinois* Champaign, Ill. TBA
Sat, Oct 31 at Michigan State* East Lansing, Mich. TBA
Sat, Nov 7 Purdue* TCF Bank Stadium TBA
Sat, Nov 21 Northwestern* TCF Bank Stadium TBA
Sat, Nov 28 at Nebraska* Lincoln, Neb. TBA
* Conference Games

Wow.

A metric over the years is the Gophers record in November. Full disclosure, I didn’t check the numbers. However, two wins and a competitive loss to Northwestern feels like progress.

Participation
Player Participation
# Player GP
92 Ahanotu, Mayan 1
77 Andries, Blaise 12
81 Annexstad, Brock 1
5 Annexstad, Zack 8
49 Aune, Josh 1
3 Autman-Bell, Chris 12
41 Barber, Thomas 12
13 Bateman, Rashod 12
44 Beebe, Colton 11
4 Brooks, Shannon 1
38 Carpenter, Emmit 12
36 Cashman, Blake 12
45 Coughlin, Carter 12
71 Davis, Ben 8
46 DeLattiboudere, Winston 12
12 Devers, Tai'yon 11
82 Douglas, Demetrius 12
61 Dovich, Bronson 12
51 Dunlap Jr., Curtis 3
16 Durr, Coney 12
78 Faalele, Daniel 9
28 Femi-Cole, Jonathan 5
18 Geary, Clay 7
3 Gibson, Jerry 10
27 Gossage, Paul 2
17 Green, Seth 12
73 Greene, Donnell 11
26 Harris, Justus 12
47 Herbers, Jacob 12
91 Hickcox, Noah 6
25 Howard, Phillip 9
23 Howden, Jordan 12
2 Huff, Jacob 12
20 Huff, Julian 12
24 Ibrahim, Mohamed 9
98 Janes, Max 12
6 Johnson, Tyler 12
25 Jordahl, Payton 12
42 Kieft, Ko 11
37 Mack, John 1
69 Mafe, Boye 9
21 Martin, Kamal 12
19 Moore, Gary 12
2 Morgan, Tanner 8
89 Morse, Matt 12
14 Oliver, Braelen 2
64 Olson, Conner 12
58 Oseland, Quinn 2
9 Otomewo, Esezi 12
80 Paulson, Jake 12
90 Renner, Sam 12
8 Rush, Thomas 11
22 Sapp III, Benny 12
75 Sassack, Kyle 2
70 Schlueter, Sam 12
43 Schoenfelder, Bailey 6
34 Shenault, Antonio 7
97 Silver, Royal 10
99 Smith, O.J. 6
1 Smith, Rodney 2
4 Smith, Terell 10
55 Sori-Marin, Mariano 11
88 Spann-Ford, Brevyn 4
27 Swenson, Calvin 12
52 Teague, Jamaal 7
31 Thomas, Kiondre 9
62 Weyler, Jared 12
21 Williams, Bryce 12
6 Williamson, Chris 10
11 Winfield Jr., Antoine 4
85 Witham, Bryce 10

Bowl eligibility - It's happening.

Gophers 27
Skunks 20





If you want to join the fun in @GopherJim's "Buck the Fadgers" thread, here you go: https://minnesota.forums.rivals.com/threads/official-buck-the-fadgers-thread.36549/

The season could have easily gone into the toilet had the following not taken place:

1. Faalele inserted into the lineup.
2. Rossi named D Coordinator.
3. Tanner Morgan stepping up big time into the starter's role.
4. Mo Ibraihim stepping up big time into the starter's role.
5. Seth Green sticking with the program and embracing the wildcat role.
6. Blake Cashman's leadership by example.

Order of importance can be argued. Other thoughts?

If Brohm stays the Louisville meltdown should be hilarious. They literally don’t have a plan B.

And if Brohm leaves, Purdue plunges back into the Big 10 cellar.

Hoping Brohm leaves.

thanks I’ll hang up and listen.