I got a chance to re-watch the game yesterday and I am generally optimistic about a lot of the things that I saw from Minnesota.
Things to be excited about:
-Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks are going to be a heck of a one-two punch and they are both healthy heading into B1G play next week. Smith continued his strong play with 99 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. He busted another big run with a 31 yarder and was brought down just shy of the goal line. He continues to break tackles and gain yards after contact. His improvement from a year ago is significant and that's been obvious in his yards after contact and big runs.
-Back to Brooks. He played more than originally anticipated yesterday and had 13 big carries for 85 yards and a touchdown. He had a 35 yard run where he broke several tackles and bounced off a defender. He later finished off the drive with a 9 yard scamper untouched off the left side of the line.
-Mitch Leidner was solid once again. He did throw his first pick of the game, but he was also 16-20 passing to up his completion % to 64.5 on the season. The Gophers are also 24-43 on third down conversions this year, which is 55% and good for second in the conference. Leidner has been extremely accurate on third down and keeping the offense on the field. 5th year senior experience showing there.
-Steven Richardson was fantastic. He was all over the Colorado State backfield and for the second year in a row the Rams could not block him. He started the game off with a first play sack for MN. Richardson is tied for third in the conference in tackles for loss with five in three games. He just needs to carry it over to Big Ten play now.
-Tai'yon Devers has his role, and he does it well. He leads the Big Ten in forced fumbles with three and is third in the conference in sacks. Because of his size he can only really play passing situations, but he is definitely a weapon there.
-Damarius Travis is a star, and by far the best player on the defense. He came up big time with a diving pick in the endzone and made numerous stops in run support. No doubt in my mind he's an NFL Draft pick come May if he continues to play his game.
-The wide receivers really made some plays in the passing game. Eric Carter, Woli, and Brian Smith each made spectacular catches in traffic to keep drives going for MN. The drops were cleaned up from the Indiana State game no doubt. They will need big performances next weekend if Minnesota is to come away victorius in Happy Valley.
-Don't forget the big boys up front and Colton Beebe! The line consistently opened up holes in the run game and paved the way to 243 yards rushing. Beebe played a ton in two back situations as a lead blocker, love that look from Jay Johnson from time to time. Jared Weyler stood in nicely once again for Vincent Calhoun. Glad to see him making an impact on the line. Leidner was given time to throw the whole day as well.
-Antonio Shenault looked more confident out there. He made a really nice play breaking up a back shoulder route in the second quarter when he was in great coverage. He did get beat a few times for catches but he was improved certainly.
-Emmit Carpenter is still perfect field goal wise through three games at 5-5, and Santoso is 5th in the league in yards per punt at 43.
-The run defense has been mostly solid for MN. They gave up just 3.3 yards per carry yesterday and are sitting at 4th in the B1G in rushing yards allowed per game, not bad.
-14 trips to the redzone, 14 scores. One time MN kicked a field goal and the rest are touchdowns. That is absolutely phenomenal. No complaints here and that shows how hard they emphasize finishing in the red zone in practice.
Things to be concerned about:
-Way too many big plays were given up by the Gopher defense. Colorado State had 11 plays for 15 yards or more. Penn State has extremely talented players at the skill positions such as Saquan Barkely and Chris Godwin. It may be a long day if the Gophers give up the big plays next week.
-The pass defense needs help, but where does it come from? The Gophers are currently 13th in the B1G in pass defense efficiency and passing yards given up per game. With the depth being seriously tested with the losses of Buford and Hardin, this is a huge concern for Jay Sawvel and the defense.
-Special teams yards have been very pedestrian. Minnesota is last in the conference in punt return yards and is just 9th in kickoff return yards. Jalen Myrick can be electric in the return game, but they have to set him up for more opportunities here.
-Missed tackles aplenty. Too many times the Colorado State skill players were able to break wimpy tackles and gain extra yardage.
-Carter Coughlin injured elbow. He is expected to miss several weeks with an elbow injury. He played a nice game yesterday too and got his first career start. He brings elite speed and athleticism to the position and is just so versatile. He will be missed big time.
-How do we get off the field on third downs? Minnesota is 13th in the league in getting off the field on third downs, giving up 44% on third down conversions.
-Making plays in the secondary. Travis made a nice play off an overthrow by the CO State quarterback, and was in the right spot at the right time. If it was an accurate throw then it may have been a touchdown as Winfield was beaten by the slot receiver. One interception through three games is the worst in the Big Ten.
Heading into Conference Play:
-It is honestly hard to say what I expect next week as the Gophers head into conference play. This team is a whole lot different from the past two years as the offense has looked like the strong point while the defense has looked like it has needed a bit more work.
-Health overall is pretty good. Offensive line is completely healthy other than a couple bumps and bruises and should be ready to go next week.
-Defensive line shakeups and the numerous different looks given by Jay Sawvel has allowed the defense to play to their strengths much more this season and get pressure on the quarterbacks. The consistent rotations have allowed the guys on the line and the linebackers to stay fresh and mostly healthy besides Carter Coughlin.
Biggest Questions Going Forward:
-Does the Minnesota offense find a deep threat in the passing game?
-Is the depth and talent level in the secondary due to the suspensions going to be the nail in the Gophers side all year long (besides Travis and Myrick).
-How will the battles in the trenches go when facing Big Ten opponents?
-How many Gophers rush for 1,000 yards this season?
Overall Minnesota is 3-0 on the season and right where we had hoped and expected them to be at this point in the season. Now is where the fun part of the schedule starts. 2:30 start in Happy Valley on Big Ten Network for the Governor's Victory Bell, which is currently in Minnesota's possession.
Things to be excited about:
-Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks are going to be a heck of a one-two punch and they are both healthy heading into B1G play next week. Smith continued his strong play with 99 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. He busted another big run with a 31 yarder and was brought down just shy of the goal line. He continues to break tackles and gain yards after contact. His improvement from a year ago is significant and that's been obvious in his yards after contact and big runs.
-Back to Brooks. He played more than originally anticipated yesterday and had 13 big carries for 85 yards and a touchdown. He had a 35 yard run where he broke several tackles and bounced off a defender. He later finished off the drive with a 9 yard scamper untouched off the left side of the line.
-Mitch Leidner was solid once again. He did throw his first pick of the game, but he was also 16-20 passing to up his completion % to 64.5 on the season. The Gophers are also 24-43 on third down conversions this year, which is 55% and good for second in the conference. Leidner has been extremely accurate on third down and keeping the offense on the field. 5th year senior experience showing there.
-Steven Richardson was fantastic. He was all over the Colorado State backfield and for the second year in a row the Rams could not block him. He started the game off with a first play sack for MN. Richardson is tied for third in the conference in tackles for loss with five in three games. He just needs to carry it over to Big Ten play now.
-Tai'yon Devers has his role, and he does it well. He leads the Big Ten in forced fumbles with three and is third in the conference in sacks. Because of his size he can only really play passing situations, but he is definitely a weapon there.
-Damarius Travis is a star, and by far the best player on the defense. He came up big time with a diving pick in the endzone and made numerous stops in run support. No doubt in my mind he's an NFL Draft pick come May if he continues to play his game.
-The wide receivers really made some plays in the passing game. Eric Carter, Woli, and Brian Smith each made spectacular catches in traffic to keep drives going for MN. The drops were cleaned up from the Indiana State game no doubt. They will need big performances next weekend if Minnesota is to come away victorius in Happy Valley.
-Don't forget the big boys up front and Colton Beebe! The line consistently opened up holes in the run game and paved the way to 243 yards rushing. Beebe played a ton in two back situations as a lead blocker, love that look from Jay Johnson from time to time. Jared Weyler stood in nicely once again for Vincent Calhoun. Glad to see him making an impact on the line. Leidner was given time to throw the whole day as well.
-Antonio Shenault looked more confident out there. He made a really nice play breaking up a back shoulder route in the second quarter when he was in great coverage. He did get beat a few times for catches but he was improved certainly.
-Emmit Carpenter is still perfect field goal wise through three games at 5-5, and Santoso is 5th in the league in yards per punt at 43.
-The run defense has been mostly solid for MN. They gave up just 3.3 yards per carry yesterday and are sitting at 4th in the B1G in rushing yards allowed per game, not bad.
-14 trips to the redzone, 14 scores. One time MN kicked a field goal and the rest are touchdowns. That is absolutely phenomenal. No complaints here and that shows how hard they emphasize finishing in the red zone in practice.
Things to be concerned about:
-Way too many big plays were given up by the Gopher defense. Colorado State had 11 plays for 15 yards or more. Penn State has extremely talented players at the skill positions such as Saquan Barkely and Chris Godwin. It may be a long day if the Gophers give up the big plays next week.
-The pass defense needs help, but where does it come from? The Gophers are currently 13th in the B1G in pass defense efficiency and passing yards given up per game. With the depth being seriously tested with the losses of Buford and Hardin, this is a huge concern for Jay Sawvel and the defense.
-Special teams yards have been very pedestrian. Minnesota is last in the conference in punt return yards and is just 9th in kickoff return yards. Jalen Myrick can be electric in the return game, but they have to set him up for more opportunities here.
-Missed tackles aplenty. Too many times the Colorado State skill players were able to break wimpy tackles and gain extra yardage.
-Carter Coughlin injured elbow. He is expected to miss several weeks with an elbow injury. He played a nice game yesterday too and got his first career start. He brings elite speed and athleticism to the position and is just so versatile. He will be missed big time.
-How do we get off the field on third downs? Minnesota is 13th in the league in getting off the field on third downs, giving up 44% on third down conversions.
-Making plays in the secondary. Travis made a nice play off an overthrow by the CO State quarterback, and was in the right spot at the right time. If it was an accurate throw then it may have been a touchdown as Winfield was beaten by the slot receiver. One interception through three games is the worst in the Big Ten.
Heading into Conference Play:
-It is honestly hard to say what I expect next week as the Gophers head into conference play. This team is a whole lot different from the past two years as the offense has looked like the strong point while the defense has looked like it has needed a bit more work.
-Health overall is pretty good. Offensive line is completely healthy other than a couple bumps and bruises and should be ready to go next week.
-Defensive line shakeups and the numerous different looks given by Jay Sawvel has allowed the defense to play to their strengths much more this season and get pressure on the quarterbacks. The consistent rotations have allowed the guys on the line and the linebackers to stay fresh and mostly healthy besides Carter Coughlin.
Biggest Questions Going Forward:
-Does the Minnesota offense find a deep threat in the passing game?
-Is the depth and talent level in the secondary due to the suspensions going to be the nail in the Gophers side all year long (besides Travis and Myrick).
-How will the battles in the trenches go when facing Big Ten opponents?
-How many Gophers rush for 1,000 yards this season?
Overall Minnesota is 3-0 on the season and right where we had hoped and expected them to be at this point in the season. Now is where the fun part of the schedule starts. 2:30 start in Happy Valley on Big Ten Network for the Governor's Victory Bell, which is currently in Minnesota's possession.
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