-Annexstad had a completion percentage reminiscent of Gopher quarterbacks of the recent past, but it was pretty evident that he's a much more talented passer than we've seen in a while. A few drops from TJ and things may have been different, including the slow start.
-Long balls are another reason that Annexstad had a lower completion percentage than he could have. The silver lining in this, no interceptions. Annexstad did a good job putting the ball where the defender couldn't reach it as well. He was impressive enough in camp throwing the long ball where I think he just needs to get used to the in-game timing that differs from what he see's in practice.
-The offensive line was another group that had a slow start. The good news here is they picked it up a bit in the second quarter and went through the whole game without allowing a sack.
-Rodney Smith is as good as advertised. Wouldn't be surprised to see him used more in the passing game as the season goes forward.
-Tyler Johnson shook off some early nerves and had an elite performance. He's a guy you'll see on Sundays. Technically, his routes are so much cleaner than they were a year ago. Great news with this is it will help guys like CAB, Bateman, Douglas, etc. buy-in to the process sooner and by the looks of it, they already have.
-Playmakers at receiver! Chris Autman-Bell was impressive, and Rashod Bateman looks like a future star. The speed he showed breaking down the sideline after that comeback route and getting tripped by his shoelace was something I haven't seen in a long time from a Gopher wideout. He's going to be fun to watch for years to come.
-Demetrius Douglas only one catch, and a play in the end zone that I think he could have made. Minnesota was going outside a lot as they had Johnson, CAB, and Shod creating separation on a consistent basis. Might see more of DD as they look for more drags/slants against more talented secondaries.
-Ibrahim had a fine game, the big run really bolstered his stats. But hey, it happened so it counts. I like him as a number two/three back and think he will have that role for years to come. Pair and a spare, and I think he's a great fit for that spare role as Bryce Williams/Shannon Brooks (when he's back) have higher ceilings as feature backs.
-Altough the Bryce Williams action was limited to late in the game with a big lead, I think he could be the successor to the Smith/Brooks era. He's has good burst, and initial patience when he grabs the handoff. He runs hard.
-The pass rush didn't concern me too much. Four sacks, and plenty of pressure when the quarterback dropped back. Much of the time Romero got rid of the ball after a three-step-drop so there wasn't much time to get to him in general.
-The part about the defense that I will continue to worry about the most is the run defense. They didn't really get tested at all today but are they ready to play a bigger, more physical team? Time will tell.
-I'm a little concerned with the secondary. It was good to see them aggressive, but too many PI calls. Thomas is a little too handsy deep down the field. Terell Smith was playing off around seven yards most of the time and was a consistent target on the three-step drop throws, and that's why he tied for the lead in tackles.
-I'm encouraged with the play of Terell Smith and think he's going to be a special player, but he's going to take some lumps this year as we saw in this game. Patience with being impatient.
-Good to see Coney Durr back.
-Blake Cashman is a stud. I'm not sure how many times he blitzed, exactly, but it seems like every time he did he was putting pressure on the quarterback. He's one of those guys that's always around the ball and making plays. Great to have him healthy this season.
-Coughlin didn't put up crazy stats but I thought he had a very good game.
-That's why Antoine Winfield Jr. is returning punts...
-Thomas Rush is going to be a very good player for years to come.
-Tai'yon Devers, Esezi Ottomewo, and Boye Mafe all seem to have bright futures as pass rushers.
-Jacob Herbers had a fine game. Needs to improve going forward.
Good first win. A lot to be encouraged about, some to be concerned about, but a true test will come next week against Fresno State. Minnesota will get a chance to take a long rest, watch Fresno State take on Idaho tomorrow, and grow from this week's mistakes. Fleck and the ROWphers are 1-0, and you can't make a bowl game without winning one game at a time. I'm leaning more towards a Minnesota victory next week than I was before the game.
-Long balls are another reason that Annexstad had a lower completion percentage than he could have. The silver lining in this, no interceptions. Annexstad did a good job putting the ball where the defender couldn't reach it as well. He was impressive enough in camp throwing the long ball where I think he just needs to get used to the in-game timing that differs from what he see's in practice.
-The offensive line was another group that had a slow start. The good news here is they picked it up a bit in the second quarter and went through the whole game without allowing a sack.
-Rodney Smith is as good as advertised. Wouldn't be surprised to see him used more in the passing game as the season goes forward.
-Tyler Johnson shook off some early nerves and had an elite performance. He's a guy you'll see on Sundays. Technically, his routes are so much cleaner than they were a year ago. Great news with this is it will help guys like CAB, Bateman, Douglas, etc. buy-in to the process sooner and by the looks of it, they already have.
-Playmakers at receiver! Chris Autman-Bell was impressive, and Rashod Bateman looks like a future star. The speed he showed breaking down the sideline after that comeback route and getting tripped by his shoelace was something I haven't seen in a long time from a Gopher wideout. He's going to be fun to watch for years to come.
-Demetrius Douglas only one catch, and a play in the end zone that I think he could have made. Minnesota was going outside a lot as they had Johnson, CAB, and Shod creating separation on a consistent basis. Might see more of DD as they look for more drags/slants against more talented secondaries.
-Ibrahim had a fine game, the big run really bolstered his stats. But hey, it happened so it counts. I like him as a number two/three back and think he will have that role for years to come. Pair and a spare, and I think he's a great fit for that spare role as Bryce Williams/Shannon Brooks (when he's back) have higher ceilings as feature backs.
-Altough the Bryce Williams action was limited to late in the game with a big lead, I think he could be the successor to the Smith/Brooks era. He's has good burst, and initial patience when he grabs the handoff. He runs hard.
-The pass rush didn't concern me too much. Four sacks, and plenty of pressure when the quarterback dropped back. Much of the time Romero got rid of the ball after a three-step-drop so there wasn't much time to get to him in general.
-The part about the defense that I will continue to worry about the most is the run defense. They didn't really get tested at all today but are they ready to play a bigger, more physical team? Time will tell.
-I'm a little concerned with the secondary. It was good to see them aggressive, but too many PI calls. Thomas is a little too handsy deep down the field. Terell Smith was playing off around seven yards most of the time and was a consistent target on the three-step drop throws, and that's why he tied for the lead in tackles.
-I'm encouraged with the play of Terell Smith and think he's going to be a special player, but he's going to take some lumps this year as we saw in this game. Patience with being impatient.
-Good to see Coney Durr back.
-Blake Cashman is a stud. I'm not sure how many times he blitzed, exactly, but it seems like every time he did he was putting pressure on the quarterback. He's one of those guys that's always around the ball and making plays. Great to have him healthy this season.
-Coughlin didn't put up crazy stats but I thought he had a very good game.
-That's why Antoine Winfield Jr. is returning punts...
-Thomas Rush is going to be a very good player for years to come.
-Tai'yon Devers, Esezi Ottomewo, and Boye Mafe all seem to have bright futures as pass rushers.
-Jacob Herbers had a fine game. Needs to improve going forward.
Good first win. A lot to be encouraged about, some to be concerned about, but a true test will come next week against Fresno State. Minnesota will get a chance to take a long rest, watch Fresno State take on Idaho tomorrow, and grow from this week's mistakes. Fleck and the ROWphers are 1-0, and you can't make a bowl game without winning one game at a time. I'm leaning more towards a Minnesota victory next week than I was before the game.
