-The Gophers forced three fumbles in Illinois territory and scored after all three fumble recoveries.
-Defense consistently pressured Illinois quarterback Jeff George Jr. and forced him into difficult situations trying to throw the ball.
-How many times do you see a team put up 40 points and have under 300 total yards? Minnesota had 171 yards rushing on 48 carries (3.6 average) and Leidner had just 112 yards passing. The Gophers consistently started in great field position because the defense did their job and a couple nice punt returns by Shenault and Hardin put them in short field situations.
-Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks combined for 32 carries, which went for 159 yards and three touchdowns. Smith is now tied for lead the Big Ten with ten rushing touchdowns this season.
-The Minnesota run defense was really solid once again overall. On 34 Illini carries they gained just 89 yards on the ground. You take that any day of the week.
-After the three forced fumbled today, the Gophers have now forced 18 turnovers on the season, which leads the Big Ten. That is absolutely outstanding. They lead the conference in forced fumbles with 11. The next closest team has eight forced fumbles.
-The passing game was pretty nonexistent for the most part today. Leidner was erratic on a couple throws, so for the most part Jay Johnson and company stuck to the ground. Wolitarsky lead the team with three catches for 64 yards on the day.
-It will be interesting to see if the Gophers rotate in some more receivers in the next couple games. There really is just no explosive ability on the outside. Brian Smith had a tough day as he dropped two very catch-able passes. Separation at receiver has been an issue as well.
-The offensive line continues to play at a high level. They are second in the Big Ten in sacks allowed, with just seven on the season. Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks had some nice holes to run through as well.
-Penalties were an issue once again. Minnesota had 6 penalties for 56 yards today. They are now last in the Big Ten in that category. They average 65 yards given up in penalties per game.
-On defense, the coverage on the outside was excellent today. With star receiver Malik Turner leaving with an injury after being carted off on the Duke McGhee hit, Jeff George Jr. really had no one to throw to. Myrick, Hardin, and Buford all made nice plays in coverage.
-Winfield and Damarius Travis lead the team in tackles with seven and six, respectively.
-Merrick Jackson had a big sack today which led to a safety, and Hank Ekpe had a huge strip sack that led to Minnesota getting the ball back at the Illini 10 yard line.
-The defensive line may have played one of their best games of the season today, although it was against a pretty poor offensive line.
Going Forward:
-The Gophers have two clearly dangerous weapons in Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks, and it is evident how important both of them are to the success of the team. They need to be used heavily for Minnesota to consistently move the ball.
-Leidner's decision making and accuracy has been inconsistent. Next week's game against Purdue will be crucial for his confidence. After that they will face three tough defenses in Nebraska, Northwestern, and Wisconsin. No way Minnesota can be one dimensional against those teams.
-The decision this week will be made on whether or not the restraining orders will be upheld for Hardin, Buford, Djam, and the Johnson's. If it is upheld, the restraining order will keep them from playing in the Purdue and Northwestern games. The defense just plays so much better with Hardin and Buford in the game at corner.
-Minnesota is 6-2 (3-2) in the Big Ten and are entering November still technically in contention for the Big Ten West. A very important month of football ahead of them.
-They have arguably played better on the road this year than at home. Can Minnesota shut down Purdue's offense? David Blough is a really solid quarterback and receiver D'Angelo Yancey is a nice weapon. Purdue put up 38 points on the Gopher defense in 2014 at TCF Bank Stadium.
-Defense consistently pressured Illinois quarterback Jeff George Jr. and forced him into difficult situations trying to throw the ball.
-How many times do you see a team put up 40 points and have under 300 total yards? Minnesota had 171 yards rushing on 48 carries (3.6 average) and Leidner had just 112 yards passing. The Gophers consistently started in great field position because the defense did their job and a couple nice punt returns by Shenault and Hardin put them in short field situations.
-Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks combined for 32 carries, which went for 159 yards and three touchdowns. Smith is now tied for lead the Big Ten with ten rushing touchdowns this season.
-The Minnesota run defense was really solid once again overall. On 34 Illini carries they gained just 89 yards on the ground. You take that any day of the week.
-After the three forced fumbled today, the Gophers have now forced 18 turnovers on the season, which leads the Big Ten. That is absolutely outstanding. They lead the conference in forced fumbles with 11. The next closest team has eight forced fumbles.
-The passing game was pretty nonexistent for the most part today. Leidner was erratic on a couple throws, so for the most part Jay Johnson and company stuck to the ground. Wolitarsky lead the team with three catches for 64 yards on the day.
-It will be interesting to see if the Gophers rotate in some more receivers in the next couple games. There really is just no explosive ability on the outside. Brian Smith had a tough day as he dropped two very catch-able passes. Separation at receiver has been an issue as well.
-The offensive line continues to play at a high level. They are second in the Big Ten in sacks allowed, with just seven on the season. Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks had some nice holes to run through as well.
-Penalties were an issue once again. Minnesota had 6 penalties for 56 yards today. They are now last in the Big Ten in that category. They average 65 yards given up in penalties per game.
-On defense, the coverage on the outside was excellent today. With star receiver Malik Turner leaving with an injury after being carted off on the Duke McGhee hit, Jeff George Jr. really had no one to throw to. Myrick, Hardin, and Buford all made nice plays in coverage.
-Winfield and Damarius Travis lead the team in tackles with seven and six, respectively.
-Merrick Jackson had a big sack today which led to a safety, and Hank Ekpe had a huge strip sack that led to Minnesota getting the ball back at the Illini 10 yard line.
-The defensive line may have played one of their best games of the season today, although it was against a pretty poor offensive line.
Going Forward:
-The Gophers have two clearly dangerous weapons in Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks, and it is evident how important both of them are to the success of the team. They need to be used heavily for Minnesota to consistently move the ball.
-Leidner's decision making and accuracy has been inconsistent. Next week's game against Purdue will be crucial for his confidence. After that they will face three tough defenses in Nebraska, Northwestern, and Wisconsin. No way Minnesota can be one dimensional against those teams.
-The decision this week will be made on whether or not the restraining orders will be upheld for Hardin, Buford, Djam, and the Johnson's. If it is upheld, the restraining order will keep them from playing in the Purdue and Northwestern games. The defense just plays so much better with Hardin and Buford in the game at corner.
-Minnesota is 6-2 (3-2) in the Big Ten and are entering November still technically in contention for the Big Ten West. A very important month of football ahead of them.
-They have arguably played better on the road this year than at home. Can Minnesota shut down Purdue's offense? David Blough is a really solid quarterback and receiver D'Angelo Yancey is a nice weapon. Purdue put up 38 points on the Gopher defense in 2014 at TCF Bank Stadium.
