Positives:
-Rodney Smith was awesome tonight. Over 120 yards rushing and two touchdowns, he had some big runs and showed a knack for making guys miss after contact.
-Tai'yon Devers was unbelievable. Two of his first four snaps as a Gopher he got around the edge and had strip sacks! There is no way we win this game without his efforts tonight. What a performance.
-Damarius Travis and Jalen Myrick played like the stars we hoped they would be. A couple of pass breakups each, Myrick had a big kick return to start the game, these two are clearly two of Minnesota's best all around players.
-Kamal Martin already looks the part at defensive end. He showed a nice burst off the edge and recovered a fumble after one of Devers strip sacks. Expect him to play more and more as the season wears on.
-Tyler Johnson was clearly the best receiver for Minnesota on the field tonight. Runs nice routes and caught three passes in his first action as a Gopher.
-Nate Wozniak is a weapon. He had a beautiful catch on a seam route up the field for a big gain. He's almost impossible to miss and at least 7 inches taller than any defensive player he will face. Match up nightmare.
-The offensive line created nice holes for the running game and gave Mitch good time in the pocket to throw for the most part. Calhoun was shaken up but later returned to the action.
Things that didn't go well:
-A couple bad snap exchanges cost Minnesota over 30 yards in total and a safety. Have to get that cleaned up.
-Pedestrian playcalling for the most part by Jay Johnson and company. Think they will adjust as they see what kind of pieces they have on offense.
-Mitch Leidner made some very questionable decisions throwing the ball tonight. He went short a couple times when he had guys open down the field and threw incomplete passes.
-The receiving core put out on the field tonight was brutal. Smith really struggled to get open and Wolitarsky had a couple drops and muffed a punt that led to points for Oregon State. Tyler Johnson in his first game at receiver was the only one that stood out.
-Kunle Ayinde had a really tough game. He missed several tackles and got burned by Victor Bolden for a touchdown catch. Minnesota's second safety position will be a revolving door for awhile until they find the right guy for the job.
-False start and illegal motion penalties galore. Very sloppy on offense.
-Three Gophers ejected for targeting penalties, including two of the three starting linebackers in Celestin and Poock.
Bottom Line:
-Great that after all the things that went wrong tonight, the Gophers still came out victorious over another Power 5 football team.
-Shannon Brooks was definitely missed tonight. Such a physical runner that will complement Smith very well.
-Minnesota might have found their top pass rusher, and he is a freshman who has only played football for three years! (Devers)
-Playmakers needed at receiver. No explosive playmakers at that spot tonight. Johnson needs more playing time and Carter, Gentry and Holland need to get healthy again.
-The offense will continue to open up more as the season goes on and Jay Johnson finds out who his top playmakers are at receiver.
-Rodney Smith is a step quicker from a year ago and much stronger as well. He is one heck of a back that could easily go for 1,000 yards this year.
-Who will step up at the safety position next to Travis? Rogers, Ayinde, Amoako or Johnson?
-Steven Richardson is still a force in the middle, and could be an All-B1G defensive tackle if he stays healthy.
-Rodney Smith was awesome tonight. Over 120 yards rushing and two touchdowns, he had some big runs and showed a knack for making guys miss after contact.
-Tai'yon Devers was unbelievable. Two of his first four snaps as a Gopher he got around the edge and had strip sacks! There is no way we win this game without his efforts tonight. What a performance.
-Damarius Travis and Jalen Myrick played like the stars we hoped they would be. A couple of pass breakups each, Myrick had a big kick return to start the game, these two are clearly two of Minnesota's best all around players.
-Kamal Martin already looks the part at defensive end. He showed a nice burst off the edge and recovered a fumble after one of Devers strip sacks. Expect him to play more and more as the season wears on.
-Tyler Johnson was clearly the best receiver for Minnesota on the field tonight. Runs nice routes and caught three passes in his first action as a Gopher.
-Nate Wozniak is a weapon. He had a beautiful catch on a seam route up the field for a big gain. He's almost impossible to miss and at least 7 inches taller than any defensive player he will face. Match up nightmare.
-The offensive line created nice holes for the running game and gave Mitch good time in the pocket to throw for the most part. Calhoun was shaken up but later returned to the action.
Things that didn't go well:
-A couple bad snap exchanges cost Minnesota over 30 yards in total and a safety. Have to get that cleaned up.
-Pedestrian playcalling for the most part by Jay Johnson and company. Think they will adjust as they see what kind of pieces they have on offense.
-Mitch Leidner made some very questionable decisions throwing the ball tonight. He went short a couple times when he had guys open down the field and threw incomplete passes.
-The receiving core put out on the field tonight was brutal. Smith really struggled to get open and Wolitarsky had a couple drops and muffed a punt that led to points for Oregon State. Tyler Johnson in his first game at receiver was the only one that stood out.
-Kunle Ayinde had a really tough game. He missed several tackles and got burned by Victor Bolden for a touchdown catch. Minnesota's second safety position will be a revolving door for awhile until they find the right guy for the job.
-False start and illegal motion penalties galore. Very sloppy on offense.
-Three Gophers ejected for targeting penalties, including two of the three starting linebackers in Celestin and Poock.
Bottom Line:
-Great that after all the things that went wrong tonight, the Gophers still came out victorious over another Power 5 football team.
-Shannon Brooks was definitely missed tonight. Such a physical runner that will complement Smith very well.
-Minnesota might have found their top pass rusher, and he is a freshman who has only played football for three years! (Devers)
-Playmakers needed at receiver. No explosive playmakers at that spot tonight. Johnson needs more playing time and Carter, Gentry and Holland need to get healthy again.
-The offense will continue to open up more as the season goes on and Jay Johnson finds out who his top playmakers are at receiver.
-Rodney Smith is a step quicker from a year ago and much stronger as well. He is one heck of a back that could easily go for 1,000 yards this year.
-Who will step up at the safety position next to Travis? Rogers, Ayinde, Amoako or Johnson?
-Steven Richardson is still a force in the middle, and could be an All-B1G defensive tackle if he stays healthy.
