The Minnesota Golden Gophers football team is 7-2 (4-2 B1G) and is currently on a four game winning streak in the Big Ten. Before we hear about the lack of quality opponents they have beaten, which is true, the fact of the matter is that this program is in a lot better place than it was a few years ago. A four game winning streak in the Big Ten is something that should never be taken for granted, especially since Minnesota has done that just twice since the 1970's (this year and 2013).
Also, a few facts about Minnesota through nine games this season:
-33.4 Points Per Game: 4th in B1G
-350.7 Yards Per Game Given Up: 4th in B1G
-210.3 Rushing Yards Per Game: 4th in B1G
-118.1 Rush Yards Given Up Per Game: 3rd in B1G
-8 Interceptions: Tied 6th in B1G
-16 Field Goals Made: 1st in B1G
-25 Sacks: 3rd in B1G behind Penn State and Michigan
-8 Sacks Against: 2nd in B1G behind Nebraska
-+12 Turnover Margin: 1st in B1G
-13 Fumbles Forced/Recovered: 1st in B1G, next closest team has forced and recovered 9.
-954 Rushing yards by Rodney Smith: 2nd in B1G behind only Saquan Barkely.
-13 Rushing Touchdowns by Rodney Smith: 1st in B1G
-5 receptions per game by Drew Wolitarsky: 3rd in B1G
-182 Points Scored in Conference Play: 1st in B1G West
-301 Points Scored through 9 games: 1st in B1G West. Next closest team is Nebraska with 259.
There are still three tough games left, but Minnesota is on pace to have the highest scoring offense in the Big Ten West this season. That is something that cannot be said about any other Minnesota offense in the last five years in the Kill/Claeys era. The offensive line has also done a nice job overall at opening holes in the run game, and they have given up just 8 sacks in nine games, which is second in the conference. Offensive line coach Bart Miller has done a fantastic job in molding this line in his first year. The future of the run game should be very bright with two sophomore running backs and an offensive line that loses only Jonah Pirsig after this season.
The defense has made notable drop offs in the secondary after the graduations of Eric Murray, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, and Antonio Johnson. Two of the three were elite Big Ten defensive backs and Johnson was a solid contributor and a three year starter. Add that to the suspensions of two of their top three corners in Buford and Hardin combined with the loss of projected starter Ace Rogers and they have been exposed at times this season (232.6 pass yards given up per game is 13th in the B1G). They have improved, however, and that has been noticeable after the benching of Ayinde and the strong play of Winfield, Hardin, Buford, and McGhee as of late. The pass rush was a huge area of concern coming into the season and thus far Jay Sawvel has found some creative ways to get to the quarterback, That has shown up in the statistics as Minnesota is 3rd in the conference in sacks with 25 (22 all of last year). The Gophers run defense has been admirable for the most part as well. They have given up just 3.3 yards per carry and just under 120 rushing yards per game, which is 3rd in the conference. After struggling to force turnovers last year, since Jay Sawvel has taken over this defense full time they lead the Big Ten in turnovers forced with 21 (13 fumble recoveries/8 interceptions). The next closest team is Ohio State with 18 turnovers forced.
Special teams has taken a little bit of a hit in the first full season in the Claeys era. They have struggled at times on kickoffs, with five that have gone out of bounds this season. Ryan Santoso's transition to punter has had its ups and downs. His net average is 36.9 yards per punt, which puts him squarely in the middle of Big Ten punters. 2014 Big Ten Punter of the Year Peter Mortell's Net Average was in the mid 40's, but he was an excellent punter so that is hard to live up to. The Gophers are 10th in the conference in punt return yards, but are sitting at 4th in kick return yardage thanks to Rodney Smith's 94 yard touchdown return against Rutgers. Emmit Carpenter has been outstanding kicking field goals this season. Thus far he is 16-18, which is 88.8%. He is 7-7 on field goals over 40 yards, with two field goals over 50 yards, both yesterday against Purdue. He is a Lou Groza award semifinalist and will be a top finalist for Big Ten Kicker of the Year.
Also, a few facts about Minnesota through nine games this season:
-33.4 Points Per Game: 4th in B1G
-350.7 Yards Per Game Given Up: 4th in B1G
-210.3 Rushing Yards Per Game: 4th in B1G
-118.1 Rush Yards Given Up Per Game: 3rd in B1G
-8 Interceptions: Tied 6th in B1G
-16 Field Goals Made: 1st in B1G
-25 Sacks: 3rd in B1G behind Penn State and Michigan
-8 Sacks Against: 2nd in B1G behind Nebraska
-+12 Turnover Margin: 1st in B1G
-13 Fumbles Forced/Recovered: 1st in B1G, next closest team has forced and recovered 9.
-954 Rushing yards by Rodney Smith: 2nd in B1G behind only Saquan Barkely.
-13 Rushing Touchdowns by Rodney Smith: 1st in B1G
-5 receptions per game by Drew Wolitarsky: 3rd in B1G
-182 Points Scored in Conference Play: 1st in B1G West
-301 Points Scored through 9 games: 1st in B1G West. Next closest team is Nebraska with 259.
There are still three tough games left, but Minnesota is on pace to have the highest scoring offense in the Big Ten West this season. That is something that cannot be said about any other Minnesota offense in the last five years in the Kill/Claeys era. The offensive line has also done a nice job overall at opening holes in the run game, and they have given up just 8 sacks in nine games, which is second in the conference. Offensive line coach Bart Miller has done a fantastic job in molding this line in his first year. The future of the run game should be very bright with two sophomore running backs and an offensive line that loses only Jonah Pirsig after this season.
The defense has made notable drop offs in the secondary after the graduations of Eric Murray, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, and Antonio Johnson. Two of the three were elite Big Ten defensive backs and Johnson was a solid contributor and a three year starter. Add that to the suspensions of two of their top three corners in Buford and Hardin combined with the loss of projected starter Ace Rogers and they have been exposed at times this season (232.6 pass yards given up per game is 13th in the B1G). They have improved, however, and that has been noticeable after the benching of Ayinde and the strong play of Winfield, Hardin, Buford, and McGhee as of late. The pass rush was a huge area of concern coming into the season and thus far Jay Sawvel has found some creative ways to get to the quarterback, That has shown up in the statistics as Minnesota is 3rd in the conference in sacks with 25 (22 all of last year). The Gophers run defense has been admirable for the most part as well. They have given up just 3.3 yards per carry and just under 120 rushing yards per game, which is 3rd in the conference. After struggling to force turnovers last year, since Jay Sawvel has taken over this defense full time they lead the Big Ten in turnovers forced with 21 (13 fumble recoveries/8 interceptions). The next closest team is Ohio State with 18 turnovers forced.
Special teams has taken a little bit of a hit in the first full season in the Claeys era. They have struggled at times on kickoffs, with five that have gone out of bounds this season. Ryan Santoso's transition to punter has had its ups and downs. His net average is 36.9 yards per punt, which puts him squarely in the middle of Big Ten punters. 2014 Big Ten Punter of the Year Peter Mortell's Net Average was in the mid 40's, but he was an excellent punter so that is hard to live up to. The Gophers are 10th in the conference in punt return yards, but are sitting at 4th in kick return yardage thanks to Rodney Smith's 94 yard touchdown return against Rutgers. Emmit Carpenter has been outstanding kicking field goals this season. Thus far he is 16-18, which is 88.8%. He is 7-7 on field goals over 40 yards, with two field goals over 50 yards, both yesterday against Purdue. He is a Lou Groza award semifinalist and will be a top finalist for Big Ten Kicker of the Year.
