So often in rivalry games, we see both teams rise up and play their best. Not so with Floyd of Rosedale on the line. This was, quite frankly, an ugly game for both teams. Neither quarterback threw a touchdown; each threw two interceptions. Iowa fumbled three times, Minnesota two. Both teams struggled to convert on third down. The Gophers, once again, had far too many penalties (eight, for 58 yards). It should be a surprise to no one that they are the Big Ten’s most-penalized team.
Floyd of Rosedale Remains With Hawkeyes
I expected Minnesota to be able to run the ball fairly well against Iowa. Northwestern certainly did. The Gophers did not, with Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith combining for just 99 yards. Iowa didn’t have a great game from a rushing standpoint either; Akrum Wadley led the team with 107 yards, but half of that came on a 54-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. (That touchdown was set up as Iowa had excellent field position after a rare poor punt from Ryan Santoso). The Hawkeyes were consistently able to get three and four yards at a time with inside runs, and Minnesota had no answer for it. It didn’t help that right tackle Jonah Pirsig, the most experienced offensive lineman the Gophers have, got injured late in the third quarter, and left the game. He has an ankle sprain and is likely to miss a few weeks.
Looking ahead to Maryland
Surprisingly, it appears that quarterback Mitch Leidner will join Pirsig on the sideline this weekend. It’s early enough in the week that that could change, but the depth chart released today has Conor Rhoda listed as the starter, backed up by Demry Croft. Leidner didn’t have a great game against Iowa, but he wasn’t nearly bad enough to warrant a benching. I’m guessing this is injury-related. He took a hit in the third quarter that could easily have caused a concussion, but head coach Tracy Claeys denied post-game that Leidner had concussion symptoms, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune‘s Joe Christensen.
Regardless of who’s under center, task number one against the 4-1 Terps will to be to run the ball. The defensive stats for Maryland are good, but look at their schedule: they beat Howard, Florida International, Central Florida (needing double OT), and Purdue. Last week they were shellacked 38-14 by a Penn State team that rushed for 372 yards. I’d like to see the passing game be very much secondary to the run, because for the second week in a row, the Gophers are facing a dangerous man in the secondary. William Likely doesn’t have an interception this season, presumably because offensive coordinators have learned to avoid throwing passes in his vicinity.
Minnesota’s Run Defense
As far as Minnesota’s defense is concerned, they need to stop the run. Period. There are five players on the roster with at least 20 carries (including quarterback Perry Hills and backup Tyrrell Pigrome), and Hills actually has a 21-yard reception as well. The Gophers will need to be alert to quarterback changes and/or the possibility of trick plays. Maryland is definitely a run-first team, so the front four have their work cut out for them. Luckily, that unit has played well this season.
Bottom line: The offense must be better this week. That’s a tall order with your starting quarterback out. A lot is on the shoulders of the running backs. If the defense can hold Maryland to field goal attempts like they did for three quarters against Iowa, I think the Gophers have a chance. The Terps’ kicker is just four of six on field goals this season.
