I haven't re-watched the game, like Connor did and Mark and Alex will, but thought I'd post my thoughts anyway.
- The season got more interesting with Croft as the likely quarterback. He's the better quarterback, as we've now seen in game and as we saw in spring and fall practice. The ball flies out of his hand with pace and a tight spiral. He extended plays with his feet and isn't afraid to step up in the pocket. He had a couple poor decisions: the first being throwing the fly route into double or triple coverage in the second half and the second being not throwing the ball away far enough from defenders. But all in all, he did an outstanding job, especially for someone coming in cold with a beat up line and receiving corps.
- There was some RPO with Croft in the game that I didn't think was there with Rhoda.
- Tackling was an issue in all four quarters. Very bad.
- The Michigan State line got push and opened up holes all game.
- The Gophers only ran four plays the entire third quarter, and the defense seemed to get tired in the second half. The defensive line subbed a lot, but the linebackers haven't subbed much all year. Cody Poock didn't play a single defensive snap today and I believe hasn't in several games this year.
- The secondary was excellent in coverage. Kunle Ayinde was playing corner and was not picked in. Shenault was solid. I'm interested to see Alex (he's a former DB coach) has to say after watching film.
- The Gophers did a better job of getting to Lewerke in the first half than they did the second half.
- Tyler Johnson was of course phenomenal. Mark Williams was getting separation on his deep routes, but the quarterbacks couldn't always connect with him.
- Carter Coughlin and Thomas Barber I thought were the two most impressive players on the front seven. Barber had 17 tackles.
- Michigan State attacked the edge more than I think they normally do and had a lot of success running power sweeps.
- Shenault and Ayinde were in man pretty much all game. The safeties were usually in cover 1 or cover 2, and if in cover 1, the other safety would be playing man against a slot receiver.
- Kamal Martin played closer to the line of scrimmage than he has in recent games.
- Having Duke McGhee back in the secondary was a major difference maker. He'll get NFL looks.
- A part of me doesn't like Shannon Brooks being the kick returner (a) because of injuries, and (b) because even though he's an incredible playmaker, his running style doesn't necessarily translate well to a kick returner.
- Nate Umlor got the start at DE and played more snaps than DeLattiboudere. DeLattiboudere would come in on a lot of third downs and I think played as a 3-tech a couple times.
- The Gophers had a third down personnel grouping where Cashman, DeLattiboudere, and Handy-Holly would often come in. Cashman would usually blitz and Handy-Holly would play in a deep zone.
- There was a Drew Hmielewski sighting. He was going to play on a fourth down conversion before the Gophers called timeout and decided to kick (or was it punt? I don't remember).
- I don't think Steven Richardson played as many snaps as he usually does. I'm guessing that's a result of fatigue and not performance.
- The only Julian Huff sighting on defense was late in the third quarter.
- Coney Durr didn't play on defense to my knowledge.
- Will Reger got a snap at receiver on a third down in the second quarter. He also got some playing time against Maryland I think.
- When Lingen went down, Ko Keift came in.
- Taiyon Devers played two series, which is the most we've seen from him.
- When Vincent Calhoun went down, Quinn Oseland came in at right guard. Sam Schlueter played right tackle for most of the second half.
